Euro 2022 top scorer Beth Mead struck twice as Arsenal made it nine wins out of nine against BrightonArsenal began their Women's Super League campaign with a dominant win against Brighton, who were reduced to 10 players for 83 minutes at a sold-out Meadow Park.
In the season opener for both sides following the postponement of the first round of WSL fixtures following the death of Queen Elizabeth II, Gunners captain Kim Little and forward Stina Blackstenius struck either side of the break before Beth Mead fired in twice.
Emma Kullberg was sent off in the seventh minute for bringing Blackstenius down when the Sweden international was through on goal.
It was an assured display by Arsenal as manager Jonas Eidevall targets the title for a side who finished a point behind champions Chelsea in 2021-22.
Much-changed Brighton performed creditably, coming close to an equaliser with the scoreline at 1-0 through fine chances for Elisabeth Terland and Katie Robinson.
Line-ups
Arsenal Women
Formation 4-2-3-1
1Zinsberger
26Wienroither6Williamson2Carvalho Souza15McCabe
13Wälti10Little
9Mead11Miedema19Foord
25Blackstenius
1Zinsberger26Wienroither6WilliamsonSubstituted forWubben-Moyat 83'minutes2Carvalho Souza15McCabe13WältiSubstituted forMaanumat 77'minutes10Little9Mead11MiedemaSubstituted forNobbsat 77'minutes19FoordBooked at 59minsSubstituted forCatleyat 64'minutes25BlacksteniusSubstituted forHurtigat 64'minutesSubstitutes
3Wubben-Moy5Beattie7Catley8Nobbs12Maanum16Maritz17Hurtig18Marckese23IwabuchiBrighton Women
Formation 4-4-2
1Walsh
2Fox20Williams16Kullberg3Pattinson
12Bance10Olme9Lee7Sarri
11Terland15Green
1Walsh2Fox20Williams16KullbergBooked at 7mins3Pattinson12BanceSubstituted forRobinsonat 45'minutes10OlmeSubstituted forFergusonat 86'minutes9Lee7Sarri11Terland15GreenSubstitutes
14Park22Robinson23Jarvis24Ferguson40StartupReferee:Lisa BennAttendance:3,238Live Text
Match ends, Arsenal Women 4, Brighton and Hove Albion Women 0.
Second Half ends, Arsenal Women 4, Brighton and Hove Albion Women 0.
Beth Mead (Arsenal Women) wins a free kick in the attacking half.
Foul by Victoria Williams (Brighton and Hove Albion Women).
Attempt missed. Lotte Wubben-Moy (Arsenal Women) left footed shot from outside the box is too high.
Attempt blocked. Jordan Nobbs (Arsenal Women) right footed shot from outside the box is blocked. Assisted by Beth Mead.
Attempt blocked. Frida Maanum (Arsenal Women) right footed shot from the centre of the box is blocked. Assisted by Lina Hurtig.
Corner, Arsenal Women. Conceded by Victoria Williams.
Beth Mead (Arsenal Women) wins a free kick on the left wing.
Foul by Kayleigh Green (Brighton and Hove Albion Women).
Attempt missed. Beth Mead (Arsenal Women) right footed shot from outside the box is close, but misses the top right corner. Assisted by Jordan Nobbs.
Substitution, Brighton and Hove Albion Women. Chelsea Ferguson replaces Julia Olme.
Corner, Arsenal Women. Conceded by Victoria Williams.
Attempt blocked. Beth Mead (Arsenal Women) right footed shot from the centre of the box is blocked.
Attempt saved. Katie McCabe (Arsenal Women) left footed shot from the centre of the box is saved in the centre of the goal. Assisted by Lina Hurtig.
Offside, Arsenal Women. Kim Little tries a through ball, but Beth Mead is caught offside.
Goal! Arsenal Women 4, Brighton and Hove Albion Women 0. Beth Mead (Arsenal Women) right footed shot from the centre of the box to the high centre of the goal.
Attempt saved. Frida Maanum (Arsenal Women) right footed shot from the right side of the box is saved in the top right corner. Assisted by Beth Mead.
Substitution, Arsenal Women. Lotte Wubben-Moy replaces Leah Williamson.
Attempt saved. Jordan Nobbs (Arsenal Women) right footed shot from the centre of the box is saved in the top centre of the goal. Assisted by Beth Mead.
