Speaking after the match, Arsenal manager Jonas Eidevall said: “The way we see ourselves when we look in the mirror, we see a European club. We see a club who should be pushing in Europe.”
Here’s how the league table looks following this afternoon’s results, with Arsenal now guaranteed a spot in the top three.
| Pos | Team | P | GD | Pts |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Man City Women | 19 | 42 | 49 |
| 2 | Chelsea Women | 18 | 39 | 46 |
| 3 | Arsenal Women | 19 | 27 | 43 |
| 4 | Man Utd Women | 19 | 16 | 32 |
| 5 | Liverpool FC Women | 19 | 2 | 32 |
| 6 | Tottenham Hotspur Women | 18 | -6 | 26 |
| 7 | Aston Villa Women | 19 | -16 | 20 |
| 8 | Brighton & Hove Albion Women | 19 | -16 | 18 |
| 9 | Everton Women | 19 | -17 | 18 |
| 10 | Leicester Women | 19 | -14 | 17 |
| 11 | West Ham Women | 19 | -23 | 13 |
| 12 | Bristol City Women | 19 | -34 | 6 |
And Beth Mead’s second, Arsenal’s third…
Beth Mead is ready to chip the ball into the back of the net! 👌#BarclaysWSL @ArsenalWFC @bmeado9 pic.twitter.com/IusUpiM8ZO
— Barclays Women's Super League (@BarclaysWSL) April 21, 2024
Here’s a look at Alessia Russo’s goal, Arsenal’s second of the day…
Fired into the goal by Russo! 🚀#BarclaysWSL @ArsenalWFC @alessiarusso7 pic.twitter.com/hAx08meAkU
— Barclays Women's Super League (@BarclaysWSL) April 21, 2024
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Arsenal have guaranteed Champions League qualification with that 3-0 win over Leicester City. Manchester United were held to a 2-2 draw by Tottenham this afternoon meaning they are now unable to catch up.
Full-time: Arsenal 3-0 Leicester
Arsenal seal the third and final Champions League spot with a convincing win over Leicester City.
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90+5 min: Leicester make a change as Takarada is replaced by Emilia Pelgander.
90+4 min: Another double substitution for Arsenal as Laura Wienroither returns to the Emirates pitch for the first time since suffering an ACL injury last May, she replaces Fox. Laia Codina is also introduced for McCabe.
90+3min: Chance for Leicester as O’Brien forces a save from Zinsberger. Arsenal can eventually make the clearance.
90+2 min: Seven minutes have been added on…
90 min: Huge chance for Arsenal as Miedema goes for goal with a header from close range. Her effort flies across the line but finds Maanum at the post. However, the midfielder can’t deflect her effort on target.
89 min: Arsenal are playing very high with Miedema as the sole striker. I’m pretty sure I just saw both Williamson and Catley on the edge of Leicester’s penalty area as well…
86 min: We have a break in play now as the referee heads over to the fourth official to sort a technical issue. Quite bizarre but nevertheless we are about to continue…
84 min: The home fans go wild as Vivianne Miedema makes her return from injury. She is on to replace Russo.
Cloé Lacasse is also introduced to replace Foord.
As expected, “Twenty fourrrrr, Lacasse” rings around the Emirates to ABBA’s classic ‘Voulez Vous’.
81 min: Leicester make three changes as Asmita Ale replaces Bott, Rose makes way for Shannon O’Brien and Aileen Whelan is introduced to replace Petermann.
78 min: Little plays the ball out to Mead on the right, who links up with Pelova. The midfielder crosses it into Russo and the striker’s close-range headed effort is brilliantly saved by Kop, but she manages to set it back across goal to Mead. The England winger then manages to cap off the attack with a clever finish.
GOAL! Arsenal 3-0 Leicester (Mead, 77)
Mead scores her second and Arsenal’s third!
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75 min: Catley does well to win the ball in midfield and drives forward before playing it short to Russo on the edge of the box. The striker takes a touch before firing her shot straight into the bottom-left corner.
Arsenal have all-but sealed their Champions League spot!
GOAL! Arsenal 2-0 Leicester (Russo, 74)
Russo makes it two!
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73 min: There is a brief pause in play while Kop receives treatment for a leg issue. The Leicester goalkeeper is eventually able to continue.
71 min: Arsenal go on the attack once again as Fox receives the ball on the right. She moves inside and plays it short to Foord, who cuts back to Pelova. The midfielder goes for goal but her shot deflects behind for a corner.
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68 min: With Maanum moving straight into midfield, Russo has pushed forward and is now Arsenal’s sole striker. The England star had been playing in an attacking midfield role for the majority of the match.
66 min: Substitution for Arsenal. Just 21 days after collapsing in the Continental Cup final, Frida Maanum returns to the pitch. The midfielder receives a huge cheer as she replaces Blackstenius.
63 min: Another big chance for the hosts as Fox receives the ball on the right before cutting inside and unleashing a powerful shot which forces a strong save from Kop. The Leicester goalkeeper has certainly been kept busy in this second half!
61 min: Chance for Arsenal as Fox finds herself in an excellent position in the penalty area, but her shot fails to challenge Kop.
59 min: Kop goes to ground following a collision with Williamson in front of the goal-line. The Arsenal defender appeared to be going for goal following a corner, but the Leicester goalkeeper got a hand to it in time. Despite initially being in some discomfort, Kop is able to play on.
57 min: Huge chance for Arsenal as the ball is crossed in from the right to Foord at the front post. The winger goes for goal but forces an excellent save from Kop.
55 min: Arsenal have a free kick out on the left and Mead crosses it into the box. Howard gets back to head it clear, but the ball only goes as far as Russo on the edge of the penalty area. The striker attempts a volley but her effort is off-target.
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53 min: Arsenal go on the attack as Mead carries the ball into the penalty area before drilling it across the six-yard box. Foord attempts to shoot but Tierney eventually makes the clearance. The ball only goes as far as McCabe on the edge of the box, who goes for the volley but her effort flies over the crossbar.
50 min: Little is booked for a challenge on Rose in midfield and Leicester win a free kick. The ball is sent into the box and Arsenal struggle to clear the danger, but an offside is eventually given.
49 min: Chance for Foord as she breaks past Bott and goes for goal, but it’s a comfortable save for Kop.
47 min: Russo wins a free kick in midfield and Arsenal play it quickly, with Fox making a run down the right. The full-back crosses the ball to Foord in the box, who goes to ground, but no penalty is given.
Kick-off: Arsenal 1-0 Leicester
We’re back under way in north London!
While we wait for the second half to start, make sure you sign up to receive our FREE women’s football newsletter Moving the Goalposts.
Here’s a look at the opening goal…
Fantastic finish from @bmeado9! 👏#BarclaysWSL @ArsenalWFC pic.twitter.com/PaILTGoBAL
— Barclays Women's Super League (@BarclaysWSL) April 21, 2024
Half-time: Arsenal 1-0 Leicester
Beth Mead’s first-half finish is all that separates these two teams at the break.
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45 min: One minute has been added on. Arsenal look for one more goal before the break as Williamson chips the ball over to Foord in the box, but she can’t quite get her shot away.
42 min: And just like that, Foord and Mead have swapped back. There seems to be some continuous rotation among this Arsenal XI in this first half.
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39 min: Leicester go on the attack now as Takarada crosses the ball into a dangerous area. Rantala controls it and sets it to Tierney, who goes for goal and forces an excellent save from Zinsberger. The Arsenal goalkeeper has been absolutely brilliant so far.
37 min: Foord and Mead appear to have switched sides, with Mead now on the left and Foord on the right.
34 min: Pelova receives the ball in midfield and plays it to Russo, who passes short to Foord. McCabe makes a rapid overlapping run before sending a cross into the box, but it is deflected behind for a corner.
The ball is sent into the penalty area once again, but this time Kop punches it clear.
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31 min: Prior to that goal, Arsenal’s passing had been sloppy at times. But they managed to string together a fantastic passage of play at a crucial moment to take control of this match.
29 min: A well-worked team attack culminates in a close-range strike from Mead to break the deadlock. Catley receives the ball from Williamson in defence and plays it over to Blackstenius in attack. The striker passes it to Russo before Mead and Pelova get involved. Pelova then plays the ball through to Foord in the box, who links up with Mead and the winger fires her shot past Kop to give Arsenal the lead.
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GOAL! Arsenal 1-0 Leicester (Mead, 28)
Mead breaks the deadlock!
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25 min: McCabe steps up to take the free-kick and goes for goal, but it’s a fairly simple save for Kop and Leicester clear the threat with ease.
23 min: Arsenal win a free kick in midfield following a challenge from Takarada on Catley. The defender loses her boot in the process.
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22 min: Leicester have arguably had the better chances so far, with Arsenal struggling in defence at times. The hosts seem to be missing Lotte Wubben-Moy’s presence in that back four.
19 min: What a save! Rantala attempts an ambitious shot from outside the box and forces a fantastic save from Zinsberger. Leicester have a corner and the ball is sent into the six-yard box, but Zinsberger gets to it again.
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15 min: Both goalkeepers are yet to be properly challenged this afternoon as both sides tread carefully around the penalty areas.
12 min: End-to-end action at the Emirates Stadium so far as Mead breaks into the Leicester box. The winger gets into a dangerous area but can’t quite get the shot away.
10 min: Big chance for Leicester as Petermann is sent through on goal. She goes one-on-one with Zinsberger but Williamson gets back to make a last-ditch tackle. The striker is eventually flagged offside. The visitors are breaking through Arsenal’s defence far too easily…
9 min: Leicester win the first corner of the match and the ball is sent straight into the box, but Zinsberger claims it and the hosts go on the counter attack. They complete a rapid transition and head straight for the opposite box, but can’t get the shot away.
8 min: Leicester look to go on the attack as Momiki plays the ball to Rose, by Fox is there to put it out for a throw-in.
Charles Antaki believes Fox has been one of Arsenal’s best signings in recent years. He says: “A case can be made for Emily Fox being one of the best recent signings by Arsenal – much more capable of going forward than Noelle Maritz, and physically more robust that Lara Wienroither. Also seems to link well with Beth Mead. Inevitably she’ll now have a terrible afternon, but hopefully not…”
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5 min: Howard receives the ball in defence and plays a long pass over to Petermann on the left. The striker looks to make a run into the box, but Williamson is there to make the tackle.
3 min: Blackstenius wins a corner for Arsenal. The ball is played short to Mead at the front of the box, who attempts to cross it into a dangerous area, but Leicester can clear the danger.
2 min: As expected, Catley partners Williamson in the centre of defence for Arsenal. The hosts have looked very comfortable in possession so far.
Kick-off
We’re under way at the Emirates Stadium!
Arsenal are wearing black armbands today to pay tribute to Sir Chips Keswick, who passed away earlier this week.
Just under 10 minutes to go until kick-off at the Emirates Stadium. Don’t forget to email in with all your thoughts, feelings, predictions etc… I’ll be with you all afternoon!
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Elsewhere in the WSL today
Manchester United are currently trailing Tottenham 2-1 at Leigh Sports Village. If Marc Skinner’s side lose and Arsenal manage at least a draw this afternoon, United will be out of contention for a Champions League place.
You can follow the match with The Guardian’s minute-by-minute report below.
Bristol City suffered a 1-0 defeat to Liverpool yesterday, while Brighton lost 2-1 to Everton at the Amex Stadium on Friday.
Manchester City are set to face West Ham this afternoon with kick off at 2:15pm GMT.
Discussing his team’s title hopes during a pre-match press conference, Arsenal manager Jonas Eidevall explained: “I think it’s about the mentality to always do your best, to never give up. That’s one thing. My assistant coach Aaron, who’s from Australia, he showed me the video of the Australian short skater in the Winter Olympics that was last in the final and then everybody slips and he’s going first over the line. The thing is, are you ready? If someone else slips, are you ready or have you already given up because you didn’t think that was going to happen? I think it’s a mindset thing and that’s why it’s so important to always do your best. You can’t really control what other teams do and there are a lot of external factors that you can’t control either, but what you can control is your own actions and in business they call that to have return on luck to make sure that you position yourself so that if you get in that moment, will your return be a lot? That’s what I think we need to work with.”
Lotte Wubben-Moy, arguably Arsenal’s player of the season so far, has been left out of Jonas Eidevall’s squad for this afternoon’s match. The reason for her absence is currently unknown. A huge miss for the hosts.
Steph Catley will likely step in to partner Leah Williamson in the centre of Arsenal’s defence.
Frida Maanum returns to the Arsenal bench for the first time since collapsing at the Continental Cup final last month. Maanum has been monitored by club doctors in recent weeks while easing back into training.
Vivianne Miedema also returns to the squad following her knee injury. Teenager Katie Reid, who made her WSL debut against Bristol last weekend, has been named on the bench once again.
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Team news
Arsenal starting XI: Manuela Zinsberger; Emily Fox, Leah Williamson, Steph Catley, Katie McCabe; Kim Little (C), Victoria Pelova, Beth Mead, Caitlin Foord; Alessia Russo, Stina Blackstenius. Substitutes: Sabrina D’Angelo, Naomi Williams, Laia Codina, Teyah Goldie, Laura Wienroither, Katie Reid, Frida Maanum, Cloé Lacasse, Vivianne Miedema.
🔴 𝗧𝗘𝗔𝗠𝙉𝙀𝙒𝙎 ⚪️
— Arsenal Women (@ArsenalWFC) April 21, 2024
🇳🇱 Victoria Pelova makes her 50th club appearance
🇮🇪 @katie_mccabe11 starts at the back
🇸🇪 @SBlackstenius leads the line
Watch LIVE on https://t.co/tK9rcmLS6V ❤️ pic.twitter.com/HoIbcddOcn
Leicester starting XI: Lize Kop; C. J. Bott, Sophie Howard, Julie Thibaud, Janice Cayman; Saori Takarada, Yuka Momiki, Sam Tierney (C), Deanne Rose, Jutta Rantala; Lena Petermann. Substitutes: Janina Leitzig, Asmita Ale, Josie Green, Aimee Palmer, Emilia Pelgander, Aileen Whelan, Remy Siemsen, Shannon O’Brien, Ava Baker.
City's line-up for #ARSLEI 📝 pic.twitter.com/cK2rpzq2lx
— LCFC Women (@LCFC_Women) April 21, 2024
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Preamble
Hello hello and welcome to coverage of today’s WSL clash between Arsenal and Leicester City.
Over 40,000 tickets have been sold for this afternoon’s match at the Emirates Stadium as Jonas Eidevall’s side look to nail down a Champions League spot. The hosts head into this game off the back of a huge 5-0 win over Bristol City, so confidence will be high.
Leicester have faced plenty of challenges both on and off the pitch in recent weeks amid the investigation and dismissal of ex-manager Willie Kirk, but the team have dealt with them exceptionally well. Jennifer Foster’s side will now be eager to bounce back from a 2-1 defeat to Tottenham after narrowly missing out on a place in the FA Cup final last weekend.
Kick off is at 2pm BST - you won’t want to miss it!
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