Arsenal ended a run of three matches without a win with a comfortable 3-0 win over Birmingham City at Meadow Park.
The result meant they are now back to within one point of Barclays FA Women’s Super League leaders Manchester United.
The first half was trickier than Joe Montemurro's side might have expected, with Kim Little having her penalty saved by Hannah Hampton.
Caitlin Foord broke the deadlock after half-time, with Jill Roord adding a second.
And Little made amends by scoring from her second penalty of the match to wrap things up.
Arsenal were dominant from the off, but the Blues defended resolutely, dropping deep and keeping tight.
The Gunners had a clear-cut chance to take the lead when Beth Mead was bundled over in the box, but Hampton guessed the right way and pushed Little’s low penalty away.
Birmingham struggled to threaten WSL debutante Lydia Williams’ goal but they did come close to a shock lead when Jen Beattie’s tackle on Claudia Walker drifted over the goalkeeper - but to her relief it flicked just wide of the post.
Arsenal finally made the breakthrough just before the hour mark, Foord rising at the back post to head in from Katie McCabe’s deep cross.
Roord made it two just a few minutes later, with a fine chip from the edge of the box.
Little was not hampered by her earlier miss when she had the chance of a second penalty after a handball, striking low to Hampton's right for the third.
To follow the action and sign up for The FA Player’s live Barclays FA Women’s Super League coverage visit womenscompetitions.thefa.com
