Arsenal delivered a resounding statement to title‑holders Manchester City on Saturday, demonstrating that the Women's Super League championship is still very much up for grabs. The Gunners hammered bottom‑placed Leicester City 7‑0 at the Emirates Stadium, a result that not only boosted their own standing but also served as a warning to their chief rivals. The scoring opened early when Frida Maanum, celebrating her 100th appearance in the WSL, headed home the first goal.
Maanum’s influence did not stop there; she continued to be a catalyst in the build‑up to the next two strikes. Within two minutes of the opener, Smilla Holmberg, who had recently arrived from Hammarby, found the net for her first goal with Arsenal, after a well‑timed pass from Maanum.
Swedish forward Stina Blackstenius was the night’s standout performer, netting a brace. Her first came after Maanum chipped the ball into her path, allowing Blackstenius to finish with a delicate touch. She added a second just before half‑time, converting a pass from Victoria Pelova that left the goalkeeper stranded.
Blackstenius’s double also marked Arsenal’s 100th goal under head coach Renee Slegers, a milestone that underscored the team’s attacking pedigree. Holmberg added a second goal of her own in the second half, tapping in after a clever assist from Olivia Smith. The Swedish midfielder’s contribution helped seal the win and highlighted the depth of Arsenal’s attacking options. Mid‑fielder Leah Williamson also got on the scoresheet, powering a low‑driven finish from close range that sent the home crowd into a roar.
Mariona Caldentey, the versatile Spanish forward, capped off the scoring spree, rounding off a night in which Arsenal’s front line looked almost unstoppable. The final tally of seven goals placed the Gunners firmly in third place, overtaking Manchester United and narrowing the gap to second‑placed Chelsea to two points, while they remain eight points adrift of leaders Manchester City. Arsenal still have two games in hand and four matches remaining in total, meaning the race is far from settled.
Leicester’s defeat marked their 15th loss of the campaign, confirming that they will finish the season at the bottom of the table. Consequently, they will enter a promotion/relegation play‑off against the third‑placed team from the WSL 2 division – a side that could be Charlton Athletic, Birmingham City or Crystal Palace – with their place in the top flight hanging in the balance. The match’s tempo was initially sluggish, with both sides feeling each other out for the first quarter‑hour.
Arsenal’s dominance became clearer after the 25‑minute mark, when they began to assert control and never looked back. The early goal from Maanum set the tone, and the subsequent flurry of attacks left Leicester scrambling to keep up. In post‑match comments, Arsenal manager Renee Slegers praised her squad’s discipline and adaptability. She highlighted the importance of staying present despite 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. 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," Slegers told Sky Sports.
She also lauded the team’s communication, trust, and willingness to play multiple roles, noting that the clean sheet was a testament to the collective effort. Leicester’s boss Rick Passmoor, speaking after the heavy loss, described the performance as disappointing but emphasized the need to regroup for the upcoming play‑off.
He stressed that confidence, morale, and unity would be crucial as his side prepares for the decisive match that will determine whether they retain their WSL status. 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 their momentum and continue pressing the title chase, while also balancing the demands of European competition.
The win also marked a statistical milestone for Arsenal. The 101st goal of the Slegers era arrived just two minutes after the restart, when Holmberg tapped in a cross from Smith. This put Arsenal on track to equal or surpass their previous record for the biggest margin of victory in the league – a 11‑1 thrashing of Bristol City in December 2019 – although the match concluded before that benchmark could be challenged. Overall, the 7‑0 demolition of Leicester served as a clear indicator that Arsenal remain a formidable force in the WSL.
Their ability to score freely, keep a clean sheet, and rotate players without losing effectiveness will be vital as they chase the title and prepare for the upcoming Champions League clash with Lyon. The season’s final weeks promise intense competition, and Arsenal’s performance at the Emirates suggests they are more than ready to fight for the top spot.