Arsenal 4-0 Tottenham: Gunners cruise to victory in front of record crowd
- Published
WSL: Arsenal 4-0 Tottenham - highlights
Vivianne Miedema scored twice as Arsenal cruised to a north London derby victory against Tottenham in front of a record crowd at Emirates Stadium.
With 47,367 fans watching, Beth Mead curled in a sublime opening goal.
Miedema doubled the Gunners' lead before Rafaelle Souza headed home the third and Miedema added her second.
The previous Women's Super League record of 38,262 was set in 2019 at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium in the reverse fixture.
Saturday's win was Arsenal's 10th successive victory in the WSL.
The Gunners piled on pressure from the start and a partisan crowd were willing to play their part in intimidating Tottenham, who struggled to get into the game.
Mead should have opened the scoring inside the first two minutes when her shot deflected wide for a corner.
The England forward made no mistake three minutes later, curling her shot in from outside the box into the top-right corner.
Arsenal had confidence in abundance and were willing to shoot from all areas, Kim Little saw her effort from outside the box go just wide and Laura Wienroither also had a chance from long range.
Spurs were sloppy in possession and Miedema latched on to a careless pass deep in the Spurs half to send the crowd wild for a second time.
Arsenal were completely dominant and Souza leaped highest to nod home Mead's corner before Miedema glanced a header into the back of the net moments after the record attendance was announced over the sound system, with both greeted by rapturous applause.
Arsenal have not conceded in their past eight WSL games and have scored 39 goals in their 10 wins, which go back to last season.
The Gunners had 38 shots in their 4-0 win over Brighton on the opening weekend of the season and wave after wave of attack came again against Spurs, who were found wanting in possession and in attack.
Mead brings Euros form into WSL
Mead was the top scorer and player of the tournament at the Women's Euros earlier this year
Watching Mead, who has now scored three goals in two games in the WSL this season, it is difficult to believe that she was left out of the Great Britain side for the Tokyo Olympics in 2021.
After winning the Golden Boot and player of the tournament at Euro 2022, recording six goals and five assists, she has continued her exploits in the domestic season.
Mead clearly relishes playing on the big stage and has proved herself time and again with her versatility and composure.
Making her 100th WSL appearance for Arsenal, she was lively from the outset and with star striker Miedema also firing on all cylinders, despite admitting she is still recovering from Covid, the Gunners could be on track to avenge their heartbreak from the final day of last season, when they lost out on the WSL title by a point to London rivals Chelsea.
Miedema scored 14 WSL goals last season, with Mead bagging 11, and the duo have picked up where they left off.
Arsenal manager Jonas Eidevall has strengthened his side with Sweden forward Lina Hurtig joining from Juventus in the summer, making Arsenal's forward line a frightening prospect for opponents.
Gunners impress record crowd
47,367 watch Arsenal's game against Tottenham at Emirates Stadium
Following England's Euros victory, the main question has been around whether the support will sustain in the women's game.
With the WSL attendance record increased by nearly 10,000 and attendances up at other matches so far this season, the momentum is set to continue.
With no separate stand for away fans, Gunners supporters dominated all areas of the 60,000-capacity stadium and made their presence known throughout, with deafening cries of "Arsenal, Arsenal" as they delighted in their side's confidence.
Arsenal are one of four WSL clubs playing in their club's main stadium this weekend, meaning the record combined attendance for a round of matches is set to be broken.
The Gunners will play another five games at Emirates Stadium during the season.