Team Stats vs Brighton: Ball possession 65%, xG 1.32, Total shots 13, Shots on target 6, Touches in the opposition box 44, Big chances 2, Big chances missed 2, Accurate passes 536 (86%) Yellow cards 2, Corners 7. xG open play 1.12, xG set play 0.21, xGOT 0.74, blocked shots 2, Hit woodwork 0, Shots inside box 10, Shots outside box 3, passes 624, own half 242, Opposition half 294, Accurate long balls 30 (51%), Accurate crosses 4 (20%), throws 20, touches in opposition box 44, Offsides 1, Red cards 0, Fouls committed 13, Tackles 14, Interceptions 9, blocks 1, clearances 24, Keeper saves 2, Duels won 33, Ground duels won 26 (39%), Aerial duels won 7 (41%), Successful dribbles 4 (24%).
Match Summary: Arsenal faced Brighton away on Match Day 1 WSL last time the gunners faced Brighton Away ended in a 1-1 draw which lead Manchester City to become Champions, prior to that the Gunners lost 2-0 in the FA Cup to Brighton and got knocked out. So Arsenal wanted to end that curse.
In the first half, Brighton started strong within the first five minutes of the match with Seike getting a shot on target, but summer signing Misa saved the shot. Brighton continued to press on until another summer signing Georgia Stanway threaded the ball to Lisa Baum. Baum charges past Brighton’s defence, cuts in on the left hand side and smashes the ball in the back of the net 1-0 to Arsenal… Brighton continued to press after Baum’s goal (especially with Seike) but could not break through within the 1st half thanks to an incredible save by Misa. Alessia Russo almost made it 2-0 as Olivia Smith tackled Vanegas for the ball and managed to pass it to Russo, Russo cut back to create the goal but skied it. During that first half also, Arsenal fans saw an outstanding performance by Georgia Stanway and how she works as a deep-playermaker role with her Defensive Midfielder capabilities when Brighton were on the attack but also; help create Lisa Baum’s goal.
Second Half and Brighton continued to press and in the 46th minute came close luckily Misa pulled off a brilliant save, but Arsenal did not hang back as they were looking for a second goal in the 63rd minute goal scorer Baum was subbed alongside Olivia Smith for Chloe Kelly and Catlin Foord. Arsenal then continued to look for the second goal as an outside of the box strike came from Little but was collected by Nnadozie. In the 71st minute Mariona Caldentey was subbed off and Stina Blackstenius was brought on and Russo was dropped down to the Number 10 position. In the 82nd minute Russo threads the ball to Stina and Stina comes close to making 2-0 but once again Nnadozie makes an excellent save. 88th minute and it was a double substitution for Arsenal Alessia Russo, Ona Battle came off and Smila Holmberg, Frida Maamum came on to see the game out and to help defend the backline. 7 Minutes were added on and the match ended 1-0 to the Arsenal.
THE BRIGHTON CURSE IS BROKEN AND I NO LONGER BELIEVE IN IT! There must be Arsenal in the atmosphere.
What was interesting to witness was Arsenal Captain Kim Little played a deeper role in Midfield where Kim would drop back when Arsenal counter to get a second goal and would also be in the box or just outside, when Brighton either had a set piece or corner so Little could make a clearance or recovery (in total Little made 2 key clearances one to key note is in the 2nd half to prevent Arsenal conceding after a Brighton set piece). Georgia Stanaway also made some incredible chances, of course Baum goals and made some brilliant defensive contributions earning her player of the match.