Arsenal delivered a resounding statement to league leaders Manchester City on Saturday, demonstrating that the Women’s Super League championship race remains wide open. The Gunners thrashed bottom‑placed Leicester City 7‑0 at the Emirates Stadium, a result that not only bolstered their own title aspirations but also served as a warning to the Citizens.
The scoring opened with Frida Maanum, who celebrated her 100th appearance in the WSL by heading home the first goal. Maanum’s influence did not end there; she was directly involved in the next two strikes, first setting up Smilla Holmberg for her inaugural goal since joining from Hammarby in January, and later delivering a delicate chip that found Stina Blackstenius, who slipped the ball past the keeper with a deft touch. Blackstenius went on to add a second, tapping in a Victoria Pelova pass during first‑half stoppage time, marking Arsenal’s 100th goal of the Renee Slegers era.
Swedish forward Stina Blackstenius and Swedish midfielder Smilla Holmberg each recorded a brace, while Spanish forward Mariona Caldentey and English captain Leah Williamson also got on the scoresheet. The final tally came after Holmberg added a third‑minute second‑half goal, assisted by Olivia Smith, sealing a 7‑0 victory that matched the club’s joint‑third biggest win in the competition’s history. The result propelled Arsenal up to third place, overtaking Manchester United and narrowing the gap to second‑placed Chelsea to two points.
They remain eight points behind leaders Manchester City, but the Gunners still hold two games in hand and have four fixtures remaining, meaning the title race is far from decided. Leicester, meanwhile, suffered their 15th defeat of the campaign, confirming their status as the league’s bottom club.
Their season will now conclude with a promotion/relegation playoff against the third‑placed team from the WSL 2 division – likely Charlton Athletic, Birmingham City or Crystal Palace – with their top‑flight future hanging in the balance. The match’s tempo was initially cautious. Arsenal manager Renee Slegers had rested several key players, including Williamson and striker Alessia Russo, to preserve them for the upcoming UEFA Women’s Champions League semi‑final second leg against Lyon. Consequently, the first half saw Arsenal dominate possession but struggle to convert early chances.
It was only after the 25‑minute mark that the Gunners began to assert real control, and once the breakthrough came, the floodgates opened. Maanum’s opening goal set the tone, and within two minutes Holmberg found the net, making it 2‑0. A near‑miss from Emily Fox, who struck the crossbar, underscored the relentless pressure Arsenal applied. By the 41st minute, Blackstenius’s chip and subsequent finish made it 3‑0, and she added a second just before the break, completing a rapid three‑goal surge.
The second half continued in the same vein. Holmberg’s early strike, assisted by Smith, pushed the tally to 4‑0, and Williamson’s powerful finish at the near post made it 5‑0. Caldentey and another Blackstenius goal followed, before Holmberg completed her brace to bring the final score to 7‑0.
In the post‑match interview, Slegers praised her side’s discipline and versatility. "It’s the Arsenal way you saw today. With these short turnarounds and being active in different competitions, it’s really important to be in the here and now and focused on the task, and we were," she said. She highlighted the collective effort, the high level of communication, and the trust that exists both on and off the pitch.
"We have nothing yet, so we have to keep on pushing. I don’t know if we can catch Man City. We go step by step.
Today was one game and we did what we needed to do. That's really good, but we have to recover straight after and, in three days, we have the next game coming up against Lyon." Leicester manager Rick Passmoor, speaking to Sky Sports, described his team’s performance as "disappointing" and emphasized the need to regroup for the upcoming playoff.
He noted the quality present in WSL 2 and stressed the importance of confidence, morale, and unity as his squad prepares for the decisive matches that will determine whether they retain their place in the top tier. Looking ahead, Arsenal’s next fixture is against Brighton & Hove Albion on Wednesday, 6 May, at 7:45 pm, broadcast live on Sky Sports Football.
The Gunners will aim to maintain momentum, close the gap on Chelsea, and keep the pressure on Manchester City as the season draws to a close. The Emirates crowd witnessed a historic night for Arsenal, marking the club’s 100th goal under Slegers and showcasing a squad capable of delivering when it matters most. While the title race remains tight, this emphatic victory serves as a clear reminder to Manchester City and all challengers that Arsenal are still very much in contention for the WSL crown.