Arsenal made it seven league wins in a row as they recorded a 2-0 victory over London rivals West Ham United at a very wet Meadow Park this evening.
Goals from Vivianne Miedema and Kim Little saw Arsenal move three points clear of Manchester United in the Barclays FA Women’s Super League table in the final UEFA Women’s Champions League spot.
Joe Montemurro made four changes ahead of kick-off from the team that beat Brighton & Hove Albion 2-0 at the weekend as Lydia Williams, Noelle Maritz, Lia Walti and Caitlin Foord all came into the starting XI to replace Manuela Zinsberger, Anna Patten, Danielle van de Donk and Jill Roord.
Olli Harder also made changes to his West Ham United side from the one that drew 0-0 with Everton on Sunday as Mackenzie Arnold and Laura Vetterlein both earned recalls to the starting XI.
West Ham United goalkeeper Arnold was called into action after only two minutes as she kept out a goal-bound header from Foord from a corner, following a brilliant ball in by Noelle Maritz.
The hosts played some excellent attacking football from the start and they were denied an opening goal after 14 minutes as Jordan Nobbs appeared to be in an offside position.
Arsenal eventually found their opener though after 33 minutes through top scorer Miedema as she struck a fierce left-footed shot from the edge of the area past Arnold, recording her 18th Barclays FA Women’s Super League goal of the season.
The visitors had to wait until the 44th minute for their first chance of the game but Dagny Brynjarsdottir couldn’t hit the target as she headed wide from an out-swinging corner from the right.
Arsenal had a brilliant opportunity to make it 2-0 on the hour mark but Arnold did superbly well to deny Beth Mead from close range, standing strong to deny the England international from doubling her side’s lead.
The Gunners captain Kim Little did double her side’s lead though with 13 minutes to go when she found space within the West Ham United defence to slot past Arnold, earning her fourth league goal of the season.
Arsenal keeper Williams did well to tip away a header from West Ham United substitute Martha Thomas late on in the second half as she secured herself a clean sheet and a win for The Gunners.
The win sees Arsenal retain their strong position as they look to secure a place in Europe next season. The result also ensures that they have kept eight clean sheets in a row in all competitions, last conceding against Chelsea in a 3-0 defeat back in February.
Joe Montemurro’s side will look to record another victory at the weekend when they travel to Walton Hall Park to take on Everton.
Meanwhile, defeat for West Ham United means that they aren’t safe from relegation yet but they have a brilliant opportunity on Sunday to record three points when they face fellow strugglers Aston Villa at Villa Park.
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