Arsenal Women returned to winning ways after putting four goals past Valerenga, following Jonas Eidevall’s resignation on Tuesday.

Emily Fox put Arsenal in front after just over a minute to ease the nerves of interim head coach Renee Slegers, before Caitlin Foord doubled the Gunners’ lead.

A mistake from Laia Codina allowed Olaug Tvedten to pull a goal back, but Mariona Caldentey and Alessia Russo scored in the second half to help Arsenal move off the bottom of Group C.

Player ratings:

Daphne van Domselaar 6/10 

Saved well low down to her right from Janni Thomsen and was relatively unflustered.

Katie McCabe 6/10 

Linked up well with Caitlin Foord and was replaced by Steph Catley after an hour, likely with Sunday’s trip to West Ham in mind.

Laia Codina 4/10

Replaced Lotte Wubben-Moy at centre-back. Made a meal of defending against Karina Saevik, with Valerenga taking advantage to pull a goal back.

Leah Williamson 4.5/10

Shaky at the back, particularly when she was sent the wrong way by Saevik, who fortunately couldn’t hit the target.

Emily Fox 7.5/10

Scored Arsenal’s first post-Jonas Eidevall goal after just 65 seconds, in the right place to finish past Tove Enblom.

Lia Walti 5.5/10

Not at her best in midfield alongside Little. Kyra Cooney-Cross has now endured a run on the bench after a good start to the season.

Kim Little 5.5/10

Spoke yesterday about Arsenal’s ‘leadership players’ taking responsibility, and will feel relieved to have got a positive result tonight despite not being at her best.

Caitlin Foord 7/10

Drove into the box from the left to help set up Fox’s opener, and was alert to tap in to make it 2-0. Worked hard on the wing. 

Mariona Caldentey 8/10

Effective on the counter-attack in attacking midfield, driving forward with the ball on the break. Sealed Arsenal’s first group win with a composed finish.

And she enjoyed Caitlin Foord's goal! @Boodlepim pic.twitter.com/GsDyDPr4WW

— Freddie Cardy (@CardyFreddie) October 16, 2024

Beth Mead 5.5/10

Created Foord’s goal on the half-hour mark but was quiet otherwise.

Alessia Russo 6.5/10

Had a number of chances in the first half, denied well by Tove Enblom on multiple occasions, eventually finding the net in the third minute of stoppage time with a composed finish.

Frida Maanum (Sub, 61’) 7/10

Lively in attack after replacing Mead.

Steph Catley (Sub, 61’) 6/10

Sured up Arsenal’s left side and was able to get forward.

Stina Blackstenius (Sub, 78’) 6.5/10

Assisted Caldentey’s goal with a smart pass but missed a golden opportunity to score shortly after when her shot was saved before she hit the crossbar from a couple of yards out.

Lina Hurtig (Sub, 90+2’)

Katie Reid (Sub, 90+2’)

Subs not used: Manu Zinsberger, Naomi Williams, Rosa Kafaji, Kathrine Kuhl, Kyra Cooney-Cross, Vivienne Lia, Freya Godfrey.