Arsenal triumph against Brighton to secure Women’s Super League title

For the first time in seven years, Arsenal have been crowned FA Women’s Super League champions with one match left to play.

A new WSL record crowd of 5,265 at Brighton’s Amex Stadium, home to the men’s team, saw Arsenal beat Brighton 4-0 as they got the win they needed to be confirmed as champions.

The crowd at the Amex surpassed the previous record of 5,052, which was set in a match between Arsenal and Chelsea at Emirates Stadium in 2012.

The Gunners knew that a win against Brighton would be enough to win the league and they duly did what was required. Joe Montemurro’s side were in front after six minutes and didn’t look back once Vivianne Miedema’s 20-yard strike hit the crossbar and thundered in. Katie McCabe made it 2-0 with a first-time finish after getting on the end of Miedema’s perfect pass.

Brighton were powerless to stop Arsenal and barely created anything themselves with just one shot on target in the whole match. Arsenal were on a mission and in the second half, Beth Mead got on the scoresheet with a sensational strike from 25 yards which found the top right corner before Danielle van de Donk rounded off the victory with a curled effort from close range.

A difficult season for Joe Montemurro’s side ended on a high with tears of joy and smiles all round at the final whistle. Jordan Nobbs, who has been out since November last year after suffering an ACL injury, was on the pitch celebrating with her team-mates.

When Arsenal were at their free-flowing best at the beginning of the season, Nobbs was at the heart of it. She is still Arsenal’s third highest scorer in the league this season with nine goals, despite being out for the majority of the campaign.

Kim Little is another key player who suffered injury earlier on in the season when she fractured her fibula in October but she made her return to the team in January and captained the team to victory against Brighton. Her injury setback earlier on in the season did not stop Little being named in the WSL team of the year earlier this week.

Vivianne Miedema is one player who avoided injury this season and what an asset she has been to Arsenal. The Dutch striker is on course to win the WSL Golden Boot having scored 22 goals this season. Miedema is also happy to help her teammates get on the scoresheet and has provided 11 assists during the campaign.

Unsurprisingly, after such a stellar season, Miedema is in the WSL team of the year and has also been nominated for both the PFA Women’s Players’ Player of the Year and the Young Player of the Year gong.

Arsenal will face Manchester City at home on the final day of the season knowing that they are already champions, regardless of the outcome.

The match is sold out but will be shown on BT Sport on Saturday, May 11 (KO: 12.30 pm).

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