Olivia Smith scored a long-range stunner on her Arsenal debut as the Gunners started their Women's Super League campaign with a 4-1 win over the London City Lionesses.
The Lionesses threatened to cause a shock in their first-ever WSL match when Kosovare Asllani gave the visitors the lead from the penalty spot, but Arsenal fought back with goals from Smith, Chloe Kelly, Stina Blackstenius, and Frida Maanum.
Asllani was given the chance to open the scoring after 17 minutes when she was fouled in the box by Katie Reid, and the Sweden international placed the ball beyond the reach of Daphne van Domselaar and into the bottom-right corner.
But Renee Slegers' side turned things around before the break. Smith dribbled past two players before firing the ball into the top-left corner from close to 30 yards out, while Kelly gave Arsenal the lead in first-half additional time after poking home from Alessia Russo's low cross.
The second half was fairly uneventful until the Gunners sealed their victory in impressive fashion. Shortly after missing a good opportunity, Blackstenius connected with a precise cross from Beth Mead in the 83rd minute to score and extend their lead.
Mead turned provider again a minute later when her dinked ball into the box was headed in by fellow second-half substitute Maanum as the Gunners moved to the top of the table.
Data Debrief: Half-century up for Mead
Despite a slow start from Arsenal, they eventually found their rhythm at the Emirates. They accumulated 1.92 expected goals (xG) from 20 shots compared to the Lionesses' 0.93 from five attempts.
Mead's first assist saw her become the first player in WSL history to provide 50 assists, and now leads the way with 51.
Slegers is now also the first manager in the competition's history to win each of their first nine home matches in charge, surpassing Sonia Bompastor's record of eight from last season.
lepmoprstz
1
You dont know what you are talking about bbc talk about wsl, even my own country sports journalists talk about it some of us follow female football and sometimes go to stadium to watch them, these arsenal female team are far better than arteta team, i have been advocating their perfomance way, way back Renee Sleger is their coach that won ucl female edition
You have a point π
lepmoprstz
0
Na mumu dey worry some people
πππ
lepmoprstz
1
Shut up if u have nothing meaningful to say.. Am sure u have never watched any of the women's games that's why you're talking nonsense
πππ
Emeka25
1
Who will tell them that women football news just takes up space and nobody reads it. In fact nobody watches them play it except old men without wives. How many tickets and jerseys are they selling over there? Nobody will come to the table to confess they screwed up with the idea in the first place so now we are stuck with sport that only family members and perverts go to watch. It only becomes news when there is international break for the men. The idea was as bad as starting netball leagues for men. It would get players because of the money but it won't be exciting and nobody would watch it.
Na mumu dey worry some people
Free2Rhyme
1
if nobody reads how come you comment. don't be villager champion bro.
hahaha π€£ππ
Free2Rhyme
0
When people doesnβt comment does not mean they donβt watch πππ
lolz π€£π
dicdlmno
0
the rat score
onesmusmbaine
1
Who will tell them that women football news just takes up space and nobody reads it. In fact nobody watches them play it except old men without wives. How many tickets and jerseys are they selling over there? Nobody will come to the table to confess they screwed up with the idea in the first place so now we are stuck with sport that only family members and perverts go to watch. It only becomes news when there is international break for the men. The idea was as bad as starting netball leagues for men. It would get players because of the money but it won't be exciting and nobody would watch it.
Shut up if u have nothing meaningful to say.. Am sure u have never watched any of the women's games that's why you're talking nonsense
Febbcdempt
0
wow
tedaikruy
1
Who will tell them that women football news just takes up space and nobody reads it. In fact nobody watches them play it except old men without wives. How many tickets and jerseys are they selling over there? Nobody will come to the table to confess they screwed up with the idea in the first place so now we are stuck with sport that only family members and perverts go to watch. It only becomes news when there is international break for the men. The idea was as bad as starting netball leagues for men. It would get players because of the money but it won't be exciting and nobody would watch it.
if nobody reads how come you comment. don't be villager champion bro.
zobbkmnpu
2
Who will tell them that women football news just takes up space and nobody reads it. In fact nobody watches them play it except old men without wives. How many tickets and jerseys are they selling over there? Nobody will come to the table to confess they screwed up with the idea in the first place so now we are stuck with sport that only family members and perverts go to watch. It only becomes news when there is international break for the men. The idea was as bad as starting netball leagues for men. It would get players because of the money but it won't be exciting and nobody would watch it.
broh as we watch
resabekpst
1
Womenβs football is on the up. Arsenal have great support and playing at the Emirates will give them a lift. Itβs not a bad watch now and you get V.F.M.
woscdipruz
1
I strong believe in you, you always made us proud by winning trophies unlike arteta only buying dead woods from chelsea keep your good work... God be with you
Tezirsyz
2
it is smart
woscdipruz
1
Who will tell them that women football news just takes up space and nobody reads it. In fact nobody watches them play it except old men without wives. How many tickets and jerseys are they selling over there? Nobody will come to the table to confess they screwed up with the idea in the first place so now we are stuck with sport that only family members and perverts go to watch. It only becomes news when there is international break for the men. The idea was as bad as starting netball leagues for men. It would get players because of the money but it won't be exciting and nobody would watch it.
You dont know what you are talking about bbc talk about wsl, even my own country sports journalists talk about it some of us follow female football and sometimes go to stadium to watch them, these arsenal female team are far better than arteta team, i have been advocating their perfomance way, way back Renee Sleger is their coach that won ucl female edition
wotbcdiorz
0
I looked for it today but I couldn't get it so I just left it
lepmoprstz
1
Who will tell them that women football news just takes up space and nobody reads it. In fact nobody watches them play it except old men without wives. How many tickets and jerseys are they selling over there? Nobody will come to the table to confess they screwed up with the idea in the first place so now we are stuck with sport that only family members and perverts go to watch. It only becomes news when there is international break for the men. The idea was as bad as starting netball leagues for men. It would get players because of the money but it won't be exciting and nobody would watch it.
When people doesnβt comment does not mean they donβt watch πππ
Niccdortu
0
Who will tell them that women football news just takes up space and nobody reads it. In fact nobody watches them play it except old men without wives. How many tickets and jerseys are they selling over there? Nobody will come to the table to confess they screwed up with the idea in the first place so now we are stuck with sport that only family members and perverts go to watch. It only becomes news when there is international break for the men. The idea was as bad as starting netball leagues for men. It would get players because of the money but it won't be exciting and nobody would watch it.