Arsenal delivered a resounding statement to title‑holders Manchester City on Saturday, crushing bottom‑placed Leicester City 7‑0 at the Emirates Stadium in the Women’s Super League. The emphatic victory not only highlighted the Gunners' attacking firepower but also underscored that the race for the championship remains wide open. From the first whistle, Arsenal looked intent to dominate. It took a quarter of an hour for the hosts to truly find their rhythm, but once they did, the goals began to flow.
The opening goal came from Norway’s Frida Maanum, who celebrated her 100th appearance in the WSL by heading home the first strike. Maanum’s contribution did not end there; she later assisted Smilla Holmberg for her first goal since joining from Hammarby in January, and later set up Stina Blackstenius for a second‑half tally. Swedish forward Stina Blackstenius and fellow Swede Smilla Holmberg each recorded a brace, while Spanish forward Mariona Caldentey and England captain Leah Williamson added their names to the scoresheet.
Blackstenius, in particular, was in scintillating form, netting twice – once from a delicate chip by Maanum and again from a pass that slipped through a crowded penalty area. Her second goal marked Arsenal’s 100th strike under head coach Renee Slegers, a milestone that was quickly followed by a 101st goal when Holmberg tapped in a cross from Olivia Smith shortly after the interval.
The win propelled Arsenal up to third place, overtaking Manchester United and sitting just two points behind second‑placed Chelsea, while still trailing Manchester City by eight points. However, the Gunners enjoy a cushion of two games in hand and have four fixtures remaining, meaning the gap could narrow quickly if they maintain this level of performance. Leicester’s fate was sealed with this defeat. The 15th loss of their campaign confirms they will finish at the foot of the table, consigning them to a promotion/relegation play‑off against the third‑placed team from the WSL 2 division – a contest that could see them lose their top‑flight status.
Manager Rick Passmoor expressed disappointment but remained focused on the upcoming play‑off, emphasizing the need for confidence, morale and unity as the team prepares for the decisive matches. Arsenal’s manager, Renee Slegers, praised her side’s discipline and adaptability, noting the importance of staying present amid a congested schedule that includes a Champions League semi‑final second leg against Lyon just three days later.
"It’s the Arsenal way you saw today," she told Sky Sports. "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.
We did so many things well, stayed disciplined, and kept a clean sheet. The readiness of the players is excellent; we trust each individual to perform in various roles." Slegers also cautioned against complacency, reminding her squad that the title is still out of reach. "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 good, but we have to recover straight after and, in three days, we have the next game coming up against Lyon." Leicester’s coach, Rick Passmoor, acknowledged the gulf in quality but highlighted the resilience his side showed early on.
"We defended well and played well up until the first goal. We looked after the ball really well at times. The challenge now is to stay united, keep the confidence up and be ready for the play‑off. It might just take one scruffy goal to change the mindset of the group." The next fixture for Arsenal arrives on Wednesday, May 6, when they travel to Brighton for a 7:45 p.m.
kickoff, broadcast live on Sky Sports Football. With the Champions League looming and the league title still within striking distance, the Gunners will need to balance ambition with prudence, rotating their squad where necessary while maintaining the sharpness that produced the seven‑goal haul. For fans wishing to follow the WSL action, the league can be streamed on NOW without a contract, the Sky Sports app offers live coverage, and updates are available via Sky Sports on WhatsApp. As the season draws to a close, Arsenal’s dominant display against Leicester serves as a reminder that they possess the quality to challenge Manchester City, provided they keep their focus, manage player workloads, and continue to execute with the same clinical efficiency displayed at the Emirates.
Overall, the 7‑0 win not only bolstered Arsenal’s goal difference but also sent a clear message to the league’s frontrunners: the Gunners are capable of producing big scores, and they will be a formidable obstacle in the final stretch of the Women’s Super League campaign.