Slegers’ rampant Arsenal shine bright under Friday night lights

Arsenal Women 5–0 Brighton & Hove Albion: Women’s Super League report

Renee Slegers’ rampant Arsenal side shone under Friday night lights on a chilly evening in north London.

A trio of first half goals blitzed Brighton into submission, with Beth Mead, Caitlin Foord and Frida Maanum put the Gunners into a dominant position, before Lina Hurtig’s second half strike, prior to a late penalty from Alessia Russo sealed a deserved triumph in front of an impressive crowd of 22,467.

That Slegers, the Gunners 35-year-old interim boss from the Netherlands, guided the side to a comprehensive victory over the Seagulls to ease up to fourth spot, with the promise of further progress to come, was testament to a talented side that appeared to be freed of the shackles imposed under their unpopular previous coach Jonas Eidevall.

As many loyal Gooners recalled, it was against Brighton on an emotional afternoon back in May, when idol and legend Viv Miedema played her last match for the club after being forced out of the club. A divisive move that led many in red and white to lose faith in the Swede.

Coupled with pitifully underwhelming and unambitious displays – shockingly dull given the financial resources and all-round support Eidevall had been afforded - the 41-year-old’s future at the club was severely questioned when Arsenal were routed 5-2 by Bayern Munich in Germany.

The embarrassing Champions League thrashing coming prior to a dispiriting 2-1 home loss to London rivals Chelsea that led to the writing on the wall for the underperforming Eidevall. Quite literally in the Swedes’ case when the now infamous ‘Jonas Out’ graffiti on the Hornsey Road in the shadows of the stadium forced the club’s top brass to finally take decisive action and part ways with the manager.

Up steeped Slegers to take charge on an interim basis last month. Unsurprisingly given such camp under Eidevall, results – and performances – have picked up.

Underlined by a lively start against a Brighton side that have surprised many this season with such excellent form that has catapulted the south coast side to third in the table, which has been a tremendous effort.

Determined to strike early against their opponents now also containing long-term former Chelsea foe, Fran Kirby, Mead cut inside to fire past Albion keeper Sophie Baggley on 13 minutes to put the Gunners 1-0 ahead. 

Nine minutes later the lead was doubled through a popular goal from a popular player in Foord, to make it 2-0. The cheers all the louder in recognition of the fact the loyal Australian teamplayer was unnecessarily sidelined by Eidevall at times.

Hardly had the cheers died down when 180 seconds later the score became 3-0, when Maanum fired home from distance as unbridled joy engulfed the team and fans in the stands. 

Slegers’ side underlined their dominance when Hurtig made it 4-0 with 14 minutes remaining, prior to Russo’s late spot-kick success, to cap an enjoyable evening, as Slegers and her rejuvenated side now prepare for the trip to Turin to take on Juventus in the Champions League next week.

Could barely keep up with the goals this game, had to be vigilant ?? https://t.co/EwZRWRVslt

— Suzy (@Boodlepim) November 9, 2024