Mind the gap: Arsenal destroy Spurs 5-0 in front of packed Emirates Stadium | OneFootball

There was a party atmosphere at the Emirates Stadium on Sunday as Arsenal dismantled Tottenham with a resounding 5-0 victory, in one of the most one-sided North London Derbies since Spurs’ promotion to the Women’s Super League.

The substitutes’ bench featured Zinsberger, Codina, Mead, Little, Kelly, Nighswonger, Blackstenius, Ilestedt, and Reid, while Wubben-Moy, Pelova, Kafaji, and Hurtig missed out due to injury.

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Arsenal’s high press combined with Spurs’ insistence on building from the back handed the home side numerous opportunities to win the ball high up the pitch and immediately create chances. The breakthrough came when Raso, attempting to recover an overhit ball from a throw-in, headed straight to Cooney-Cross, who delivered a pinpoint cross to Russo. A slight deflection off Hunt helped the ball into the net. (15’)

The second goal followed in the 35th minute, when Caldentey’s initial shot from the edge of the area was blocked, but the Spanish playmaker reacted fastest, firing home a low, powerful finish.

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Despite Arsenal’s complete dominance, the final xG (expected goals) numbers – Arsenal 2.7, Spurs 0.7 – seemed oddly low for such a one-sided encounter.

Arsenal’s third arrived on the break, with Frida Maanum’s shot deflecting off Hunt, who endured a torrid afternoon, and into the net. To make matters worse for the Spurs defender, she received her fifth yellow card of the season, meaning she will serve a one-match ban on Matchday 15. (51’)

Alessia Russo continued her scintillating form, scoring her second of the day, if we credit her first goal as hers despite Hunt’s deflection, after a perfectly executed 3v2 counterattack. Foord picked her out on the right side, and Russo coolly slotted home. (58’)

The icing on the cake came in stoppage time when Emily Fox unleashed a rocket into the top corner, marking her first league goal for Arsenal after previously scoring in the Champions League. (90’)

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The gulf in class between a Champions League contender and a mid-table team was stark. Spurs have been attempting to bridge the gap with wholesale squad changes, with only 10 players remaining from their 2022/23 squad. They’ve brought in 17 new players, but only three are English, all England youth internationals (Morris, Heeps, and Dennis). However, as this performance showed, the gap remains substantial and difficult to close.

League standings and international break

Arsenal remain third in the WSL with 27 points. Chelsea top the table after a late 2-1 win over Everton, while Manchester United sit second with 30 points. Manchester City are two points behind Arsenal in fourth place.

At the bottom, Crystal Palace sit last with six points, trailing Aston Villa by four points, Leicester by six, Everton by seven, West Ham by eight, and Liverpool by nine.

With the international break now upon us, Beth Mead and Lotte Wubben-Moy have withdrawn from the England squad due to injury, with Chloe Kelly and Lucy Parker called up as replacements. Arsenal fans will be hoping no more injuries arise during the break.