Spurs Women 0–3 Arsenal Women

Interim head coach Renee Slegers continued to stake her claim to be the next permanent boss of Arsenal Women, following a dominant display in the north London derby that saw her rejuvenated Gunners ease past Spurs 3-0.  

Two early goals by Alessia Russo and Frida Maanum and a second half strike from Stina Blackstenius were enough to seal a comprehensive victory for Slegers against second best Spurs on Saturday lunchtime in N17.

Slegers’ visitors dominated from first until last, with Russo putting the Gunners ahead after spinning to smash home past Becky Spencer after only 180 seconds, after Hayley Raso failed to clear.

The strike not only silenced the home support but saw 3,000 passionate Gooners celebrate in the away end at the other end of the ground, only moments after they’d finished a vociferous rendition of the club’s anthem, Angel (North London Forever).

With unpopular Swede Jonas Eidevall now a distant memory, interim head coach Renee Slegers’ effervescent side looked rejuvenated.

Mariona Caldentey showed her quality in the opening stages as the visitors dominated a passive Spurs side, still shocked from conceding such an early opener.

Slegers’ side doubled their lead when Maanum fired past Spencer to make it 2-0 on 22 minutes after being teed up by captain Kim Little.

With only one win in their previous nine matches against Arsenal, Robert Vilahamn’s side were distinctly second best to their rivals, even if Beth England tested Daphne Van Domselaar with a fierce shot moments before the interval.

However, a third Arsenal goal, from substitute Stina Blackstenius on 66 minutes, from a Caldentey assist thwarted any home hopes of an unlikely comeback, as Slegers made it six games unbeaten since the Eidevall’s nadir.

If Renee Slegers wants the job then the position as next permanent @ArsenalWFC boss should be surely be given to her immediately pic.twitter.com/uT7kNMTkGu

— Layth (@laythy29) November 16, 2024