Arsenal end winless run as head injury halts game for 10 minutes

Arsenal overcame battling Brighton in the Women's Super League at Emirates Stadium to end a four-match winless run, despite another unconvincing performance.

The hosts took a 15th-minute lead when Olivia Smith's low shot deflected off Brighton defender Marisa Olislagers and past wrong-footed visiting keeper Chiamaka Nnadozie.

But the Gunners failed to build on their early momentum, however, and they needed keeper Daphne van Domselaar to foil Kiko Seike twice before the break.

Arsenal were denied a second on 57 minutes when Maelys Mpome cleared off the line following a goalmouth scramble, but soon needed van Domselaar to rescue them again when she saved well from a Carla Camacho header.

There was a 10-minute break in play during the second half after Mpome went down injured when a ball struck her in the face. The French defender left the field on a stretcher with an oxygen mask and head brace and manager Dario Vidosic later said she had concussion but was "up and about".

Arsenal were unable to add to their lead in a spell of late pressure, with Stina Blackstenius hitting the bar and shooting narrowly wide.

But with a first win in all competitions since beating West Ham 5-1 on 12 September, Arsenal are fifth in the WSL table, five points behind leaders Chelsea.

Arsenal analysis: Crucial clean sheet for Van Domselaar

Boss Renee Slegers must be tearing her hair out when it comes to Arsenal's inability to maintain good starts.

Just as they did against Aston Villa a few weeks ago in the WSL and at home to Lyon in their midweek Champions League encounter, the Gunners took a deserved lead.

But, as in both those previous games, Arsenal failed to maintain that momentum with their tempo dropping notably after scoring.

On this occasion, they were saved by van Domselaar, who found some form after recent error-strewn performances.

The Dutch keeper was directly responsible for Lyon's equaliser as Arsenal lost their European tie 2-1, but Slegers kept faith with her and was rewarded with a much-needed clean sheet.

While van Domselaar still looks vulnerable under crosses, she made a string of excellent saves.

Her display encapsulated Arsenal in this game - imperfect, but good enough to secure a vital success to keep the Gunners among their rivals.

Brighton analysis: Seagulls suffer third loss in a week

This defeat was a third in a week for Brighton in London, following losses at Spurs in the WSL and West Ham in the League Cup.

Vidosic's side struggled to deal with Arsenal's flowing attack when they clicked - another reminder of the gap Brighton face between their current mid-table standing and the league's elite.

The Seagulls missed Michelle Agyemang and Rose Kafaji, both impressive in attack this season but ineligible for this match due to being on loan from Arsenal.

Vidosic, though, can rely on keeper Nnadozie, the WSL's leading save maker going into this weekend.

While she was left stranded for the goal, the Nigerian had another good game, twice denying Caitlin Foord from close range, but her high positioning may raise Brighton blood pressure.

And despite her efforts, Nnadozie was unable to prevent Brighton from falling to an eighth straight away loss against the Gunners, conceding 27 goals in the process.

What's next for these teams?

Arsenal's final game before the international break is away to Benfica in the Champions League on Thursday, 16 October (20:00 BST). They return to WSL action at Leicester on Sunday, 2 November (12:00 GMT).

Brighton host Southampton in a Women's League Cup Group C tie on Sunday, 19 October (14:00 BST), before hosting Manchester United in the WSL on Sunday, 2 November (12:00 GMT).

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