Live Blog: Arsenal Women host Brighton as Miedema says goodbye

Arsenal close out the Women's Super League season at home to Brighton



Live Blog: Arsenal Women host Brighton as Miedema says goodbye

Vivianne Miedema will depart Arsenal at the end of the season. Credit- Jacques Feeney/Offside


Follow all of the action from Arsenal Women against Brighton.

Live updates from Freddie Cardy and in-game analysis from Daisy Goodhand.

Live BLog Saturday May 18th

Please stand-by, this page will automatically update with live commentary and comments

  1. Freddie Cardy at Meadow Park: 16:58 #4753

    Full time: Arsenal 5-0 Brighton!

  2. Freddie Cardy at Meadow Park: 16:57 #4752

    90+9' Arsenal win a late corner but it evades everyone and Brighton clear. Little goes wide to Mead, who crossed and it misses everyone. 5-0

  3. Freddie Cardy at Meadow Park: 16:53 #4751

    90+5' The Arsenal fans continue to sing Miedema's name- not long left now for the Arsenal icon. 5-0

  4. Freddie Cardy at Meadow Park: 16:49 #4750

    90+1' Eight minutes of added time. 5-0

  5. Freddie Cardy at Meadow Park: 16:48 #4749

    89' Goal! Maanum runs in behind and has plenty of time to pick her spot and place the ball into the corner! 5-0

  6. Freddie Cardy at Meadow Park: 16:46 #4748

    88' The official attendance is 3,583 at Meadow Park. 4-0

  7. Freddie Cardy at Meadow Park: 16:44 #4747

    86' A really nice reception for Agyemang as the talented forward replaces Foord on the left wing. 4-0

  8. Freddie Cardy at Meadow Park: 16:43 #4746

    85' Miedema plays Mead in behind down the right and her low cross is just too quick for Foord at the far post. 4-0

  9. Freddie Cardy at Meadow Park: 16:42 #4745

    84' 18-year-old striker Michelle Agyemang is preparing to come on for Arsenal. 4-0

  10. Freddie Cardy at Meadow Park: 16:39 #4744

    80' Carabali is replaced by Mengwen. 4-0

  11. Freddie Cardy at Meadow Park: 16:38 #4743

    80' Stefanovic comes on for Haley. 4-0

  12. Freddie Cardy at Meadow Park: 16:38 #4742

    DG: Brighton are now looking to play balls in behind to run onto, especially with this changed Arsenal high backline. Their runs have not been timed, however, and the offside flag has gone up on numerous occasions. Arsenal will hope to keep the clean sheet in this game.

  13. Freddie Cardy at Meadow Park: 16:38 #4741

    79' And then Losada takes aim from miles out and can only find the North Bank. 4-0

  14. Freddie Cardy at Meadow Park: 16:37 #4740

    78' Brilliant save by D'Angelo, using her feet expertly to deny Sarri one on one. 4-0

  15. Freddie Cardy at Meadow Park: 16:35 #4739

    76' That would have been a rare Arsenal goal for substitute Wienroither, but her shot is saved by Baggaley. 4-0

  16. Freddie Cardy at Meadow Park: 16:34 #4738

    DG: Vivianne Miedema playing in the number 9 role, similar to the role Alessia Russo performed in that first half. Running in behind the backline, Beth Mead was able to play the ball through, allowing Vivienne Miedema to slot home. Her first touch of the ball in this game was a goal.

  17. Freddie Cardy at Meadow Park: 16:30 #4737

    72' Maanum flashes a cross into the six yard box and it just evades Miedema. 4-0

  18. Freddie Cardy at Meadow Park: 16:27 #4736

    69' Wienroither comes on for Fox. 4-0

  19. Freddie Cardy at Meadow Park: 16:27 #4735

    68' Goal! Codina's header is glanced in by a Brighton player and it's an own goal. 4-0

  20. Freddie Cardy at Meadow Park: 16:25 #4734

    67' Almost a second for Miedema, who looks brimming with confidence- her shot is deflected over after some quick feet. 3-0

  21. Freddie Cardy at Meadow Park: 16:23 #4733

    64' GOAL! VIVIANNE MIEDEMA SCORES WITH HER FIRST TOUCH! Mead with the assist, and the goat finds the far corner with ease! 3-0

  22. Freddie Cardy at Meadow Park: 16:22 #4732

    63' Cooney-Cross, Catley and Russo are replaced by Maanum, Codina, and Miedema. Deafening cheers and applause from the entirety of Meadow Park as one of Arsenal's finest ever players comes on for her final game. 2-0

  23. Freddie Cardy at Meadow Park: 16:17 #4731

    59' Miedema is coming on! 2-0

  24. Freddie Cardy at Meadow Park: 16:17 #4730

    DG: A fantastic run from Steph Catley, allowed the freedom from her CB role before she is brought down in the box by Carabali. Kim Little steps up and hits the post, with Brighton managing to clear the loose ball and then win the foul.

  25. Freddie Cardy at Meadow Park: 16:15 #4729

    56' Little steps up, and hits the post. It remains 2-0!

  26. Freddie Cardy at Meadow Park: 16:14 #4728

    55' Penalty Arsenal! Catley is brought down in the box. 2-0

  27. Freddie Cardy at Meadow Park: 16:12 #4727

    54' In the title race, Chelsea are flying towards another WSL trophy. They lead 5-0 against Manchester United, with Man City 1-0 up against Villa. Emma Hayes' side are all set to win the title on goal difference. 2-0

  28. Freddie Cardy at Meadow Park: 16:12 #4726

    53' Another good save by D'Angelo is met by loud cheers from the home fans, as the Canadian keeper denies another Terland effort. 2-0

  29. Freddie Cardy at Meadow Park: 16:10 #4725

    52' Absolutely superb block by Bergsvand to deny Russo her hat-trick! 2-0

  30. Freddie Cardy at Meadow Park: 16:06 #4724

    DG: I expect a similar second half for Arsenal, playing with the same high intensity we saw in the first. Arsenal will need to remain switched on defensively, especially in the first part of the second half, if Brighton look to attack from the offset.

  31. Freddie Cardy at Meadow Park: 16:04 #4723

    46' The second half is underway! 2-0

  32. Freddie Cardy at Meadow Park: 16:03 #4722

    One change for Brighton as Robinson is replaced by Symonds.

  33. Freddie Cardy at Meadow Park: 16:03 #4721

    The teams are back out for the second half, Arsenal unchanged.

  34. Freddie Cardy at Meadow Park: 15:47 #4720

    Half time: Arsenal 2-0 Brighton.

  35. Freddie Cardy at Meadow Park: 15:45 #4719

    45+1' Strong save from D'Angelo to deny Terland from the edge of the box. 2-0

  36. Freddie Cardy at Meadow Park: 15:45 #4718

    46' Two added minutes. 2-0

  37. Freddie Cardy at Meadow Park: 15:44 #4717

    45' A rare venture forward for Robinson who drives through the middle but can't get to the through ball. 2-0

  38. Freddie Cardy at Meadow Park: 15:41 #4716

    DG: Brighton are unable to play out from the back due to the effective Arsenal press, forcing them into long balls that Leah Williamson and Steph Catley can deal with easily.

  39. Freddie Cardy at Meadow Park: 15:40 #4715

    41' McCabe does go for goal but she can only pick out the hands of Baggaley. 2-0

  40. Freddie Cardy at Meadow Park: 15:39 #4714

    40' Arsenal win a free-kick as Russo is brought down a good 20 yards from the edge of the penalty area. 2-0

  41. Freddie Cardy at Meadow Park: 15:37 #4713

    37' Foord races into the box but can't get a shot away. The ball is cleared as far as McCabe who understandably goes for goal, and it's blocked by a Brighton defender. 2-0

  42. Freddie Cardy at Meadow Park: 15:34 #4712

    35' I watched Alessia Russo here at Meadow Park a few weeks ago running the show in the number 10 role, and back upfront today she is causing a whole world of problems for the Brighton defenders. What a player. 2-0

  43. Freddie Cardy at Meadow Park: 15:32 #4711

    DG: Brighton choosing to press Arsenal higher up the pitch and this is opening space for Victoria Pelova, Kyra Cooney-Cross and Kim Little in the midfield.

  44. Freddie Cardy at Meadow Park: 15:32 #4710

    33' Russo does well to win the ball back high and cuts onto her right foot, bending the ball wide of the far post! A few inches away from a hat-trick. 2-0

  45. Freddie Cardy at Meadow Park: 15:30 #4709

    31' Russo plays in Foord who was on the shoulder of the last defender, but her touch lets her down and Arsenal are forced back. 2-0

  46. Freddie Cardy at Meadow Park: 15:28 #4708

    DG: The long balls from Steph Catley and Leah Williamson have been key for Arsenal so far, looking to set their wingers away. Arsenal are playing with an extremely high intensity, putting Brighton under pressure.

  47. Freddie Cardy at Meadow Park: 15:27 #4707

    27' Fantastic switch of play by Catley to Mead but she loses the ball in the box before Little is dispossessed. 1-0

  48. Freddie Cardy at Meadow Park: 15:25 #4706

    24' Goal! Oh dear, Sophie Baggaley. The goalkeeper gives the ball away and Alessia Russo has a tap-in to make it 2-0!

  49. Freddie Cardy at Meadow Park: 15:22 #4705

    23' Short corner for Arsenal finds Little and her floated cross is headed away before another ball in by Russo is cleared. 1-0

  50. Freddie Cardy at Meadow Park: 15:21 #4704

    22' Nearly a final game howler for D'Angelo who gave the ball straight to Carabali but recovered well to make a save before she could get a shot away. 1-0

  51. Freddie Cardy at Meadow Park: 15:20 #4703

    DG: Arsenal take the lead through Alessia Russo. Great work in the box for Arsenal. Emily Fox has been getting forward throughout the start of this game and finds space in the box. She can't get on the touch but Russo can and she fires it into the far corner over the head of Sophie Baggaley.

  52. Freddie Cardy at Meadow Park: 15:20 #4702

    20' It's Terland again for Brighton and her dipping effort comes back off the crossbar! Very unlucky for the Seagulls. 1-0

  53. Freddie Cardy at Meadow Park: 15:19 #4701

    19' Up the other end the dangerous Terland heads wide for Brighton. 1-0

  54. Freddie Cardy at Meadow Park: 15:18 #4700

    18' Goal! You can't give Alessia Russo any time or space in the penalty area, and henceforth Brighton are punished. The England striker crashes the ball into the far corner past the diving Baggaley. 1-0

  55. Freddie Cardy at Meadow Park: 15:15 #4699

    16' Mead gets into a good position on the right but stalls and her cross is too deep for Foord in the end. 0-0

  56. Freddie Cardy at Meadow Park: 15:13 #4698

    DG: Arsenal are playing with a back three out of possession, allowing Fox/McCabe to get higher. Williamson long balls to Foord being utilised in the opening ten minutes.

  57. Freddie Cardy at Meadow Park: 15:13 #4697

    11' Rapturous applause in the 11th minute for Arsenal legend Vivianne Miedema from all round Meadow Park. 0-0

  58. Freddie Cardy at Meadow Park: 15:11 #4696

    10' McCabe tries to keep the ball in play and crashes into Gooner Fanzine contributor Liberty Simons, who is taking pictures pitchside! 0-0

  59. Freddie Cardy at Meadow Park: 15:07 #4695

    8' Russo sees her shot blocked after Foord and McCabe combined well on the left wing. 0-0

  60. Freddie Cardy at Meadow Park: 15:06 #4694

    DG: Kim Little playing in the number 10 role higher up as expected, with Cooney-Cross and Pelova dropping deeper. Russo a lot further forward, with Mead and Foord dropping deeper out wide when Arsenal are out of possession (covering Brighton's wide playmakers).

  61. Freddie Cardy at Meadow Park: 15:04 #4693

    4' Carabali drags her effort wide of the far post as Brighton venture forward. Elsewhere, Chelsea have raced into an early lead at Old Trafford. "We hate Chelsea" sing the North Bank.

  62. Freddie Cardy at Meadow Park: 15:02 #4692

    DG: Kim Little playing in the number 10 role higher up as expected, with Cooney-Cross and Pelova dropping deeper.

  63. Freddie Cardy at Meadow Park: 15:02 #4691

    2' Excellent recovery from Catley up against Robinson, who has pace to burn on the right wing. 0-0

  64. Freddie Cardy at Meadow Park: 15:02 #4690

    2' Excellent recovery from Catley up against Robinson, who has pace to burn on the right wing. 0-0

  65. Freddie Cardy at Meadow Park: 15:00 #4689

    1' One final North London Forever, until September at least, and we are underway! 0-0

  66. Freddie Cardy at Meadow Park: 14:57 #4688

    Arsenal are wearing the new 2024/25 home shirt for the first time, which features the Cannon replacing the traditional crest.

  67. Freddie Cardy at Meadow Park: 14:56 #4687

    Here come Arsenal and Brighton onto the Meadow Park turf, for the final time this season!

  68. Freddie Cardy at Meadow Park: 14:54 #4686

    Vivianne Miedema inadvertently leads Arsenal onto the pitch as she takes her seat on the bench. The teams are in the tunnel.

  69. Freddie Cardy at Meadow Park: 14:50 #4685

    The teams are back in the dressing rooms ahead of kick-off as the atmosphere continues to get louder and louder.

  70. Freddie Cardy at Meadow Park: 14:47 #4684

    Lotte Wubben-Moy has been named Arsenal's player of the season!

  71. Freddie Cardy at Meadow Park: 14:46 #4683

    Daisy Goodhand: "Arsenal look to have gone with the favoured formation utilised in most other games this season. Sabrina D'Angelo chosen in goal for her final Arsenal game, with Steph Catley chosen at CB over Laia Codina. Catley's last performance at CB came in Arsenal's 3-0 victory over Leicester at the Emirates, where she was noted for her star performance. Little expected to play the number 10 role."

  72. Freddie Cardy at Meadow Park: 14:43 #4682

    Daisy is here with me in the Meadow Park press box, and will be adding some tactical insight to this live blog throughout the game.

  73. Freddie Cardy at Meadow Park: 14:39 #4681

    In case you missed it, myself and my Gooner colleague Daisy Goodhand started a podcast in the week! Episode one had plenty to talk about, and you can check it out here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=m0OsPomAKBY&si=2LcHgY8nKhbPnz44

  74. Freddie Cardy at Meadow Park: 14:35 #4680

    There will be presentations before the game, at half time and after the game with plenty going on at Meadow Park today.

  75. Freddie Cardy at Meadow Park: 14:33 #4679

    Also this week, we've had the news that Arsenal will play an increased eight WSL games at Emirates Stadium next season, as well as all home Champions League fixtures if the Gunners qualify.

  76. Freddie Cardy at Meadow Park: 14:31 #4678

    The club confirmed later in the week that goalkeepers Sabrina D'Angelo and Kaylan Marckese would also leave at the end of the season come the expiration of their contracts.

  77. Freddie Cardy at Meadow Park: 14:29 #4677

    Arsenal announced on Monday that Miedema would be leaving the club at the end of the season after seven years in red and white.

  78. Freddie Cardy at Meadow Park: 14:25 #4676

    Deafening cheers as Viv Miedema's name is read out over the tannoy! It's going to be an emotional afternoon at Meadow Park.

  79. Freddie Cardy at Meadow Park: 14:24 #4675

    Brighton can end the season 8th with a win but defeat could see the Seagulls drop to 10th.

  80. Freddie Cardy at Meadow Park: 14:23 #4674

    Arsenal come into the game with a third-place finish all secured, and a Champions League qualification tournament to come towards the end of the summer.

  81. Freddie Cardy at Meadow Park: 14:17 #4673

    Cloe Lacasse is, of course, suspended after picking up five yellow cards this season.

  82. Freddie Cardy at Meadow Park: 14:15 #4672

    Brighton are out to warm up first and are then joined by Arsenal.

  83. Freddie Cardy at Meadow Park: 14:11 #4671

    D'Angelo has been given a lovely reception from the Arsenal fans, grinning from ear to ear as her song is sung for the last time.

  84. Freddie Cardy at Meadow Park: 14:06 #4670

    Forwards Stina Blackstenius and Cloe Lacasse are not in the Arsenal squad.

  85. Freddie Cardy at Meadow Park: 14:05 #4669

    So the big news is that Vivianne Miedema starts her final game for Arsenal on the bench, but Sabrina D'Angelo starts hers in goal.

  86. Freddie Cardy at Meadow Park: 14:05 #4668

    Brighton subs: Sarri, Kullberg, Symonds, Stefanovic, Mengwen, Loeck, McEwen, Dent.

  87. Freddie Cardy at Meadow Park: 14:04 #4667

    Arsenal subs: Zinsberger, Williams, Miedema, Maanum, Wienroither, Codina, Agyemang, Reid.

  88. Freddie Cardy at Meadow Park: 14:03 #4666

    Brighton: Baggaley, Thorisdottir, Pattinson, Bergsvand, Losada, Lee, Zigioti, Terland, Calabari, Haley, Robinson.

  89. Freddie Cardy at Meadow Park: 14:02 #4665

    Arsenal: D'Angelo; McCabe, Catley, Williamson, Fox; Little, Cooney-Cross; Foord, Little, Mead; Russo.

  90. Freddie Cardy at Meadow Park: 13:58 #4664

    The Arsenal brass band are here!

  91. Freddie Cardy at Meadow Park: 13:52 #4663

    Team news is a few minutes away now, as we wait to see if Vivianne Miedema will start her final game for Arsenal, or be introduced from the bench.

  92. Freddie Cardy at Meadow Park: 13:49 #4662

    Good afternoon and welcome to the final live blog of the WSL season. Freddie Cardy will take you through Arsenal vs Brighton, as Vivianne Miedema gets set for her final game for the Gunners.


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