Three Things We Learned from Arsenal’s 3-0 victory over Brighton at Broadfield Stadium ahead of Sunday’s clash with West Ham 

Here's Claudia Loy with Three Things We Learned from Arsenal’s excellent win over Brighton last weekend as a London derby at Meadow Park looms

The defence is starting to gel 

This was our first clean sheet this season believe it or not, and it’s important that we kept a clean sheet both for our goal difference and for our belief that we can get one in big games at the Emirates if we put in a similarly controlled performance.

There were moments of hesitation generally in the team, but Lotte Wubben-Moy and Amanda Ilestedt were excellent at the back, mopping up any loose passes from teammates. In the absence of Leah Williamson, it is comforting to know that a new centre back partnership is forming.   

We have some exceptional young midfielders coming into the team 

Kyra Cooney-Cross was the Barclays WSL player of the match, Katherine Kühl came on for a brief cameo and showed in that short period of time why we have a world class talent on our hands. She shrugged off about three midfielders at once.

Throughout the game we also saw glimpses of magic from Victoria Pelova, who also has the ability to move past defenders as if they’re not there. If they continue this trajectory, given that they have the experience of Kim Little and Lia Wälti to learn from, that’s our midfield sorted for many years. 

The fans were exceptional again

There have been record crowds at every WSL away game we’ve played this season, and this is not only good for us, but good for the league more generally. Increased attendances mean increased money going into the league and therefore women’s football more widely.

With an upcoming potential sellout at The Emirates soon as well, our fan culture is at once large in number and also intimate. The crowds chant for individual players nonstop throughout the game, and at times the players interacted with them.

Case in point was Lotte Wubben Moy jovially asking them to tone down the language of one of the chants.

This is a special team and the fans are along for the ride every step of the way. Let the good times roll.