Renee Slegers' side strengthened their position in the bid for a Champions League place with their 15th win in 18 games under her charge
Arsenal cruised to victory in the north London derby on Sunday, beating Tottenham 5-0 to increase their cushion inside the Women's Super League's European places to five points. Were it not for Spurs goalkeeper Lize Kop, it could've been an even more convincing victory, with the visiting side constantly under pressure at the back while failing to muster up any sort of attacking threat. The Gunners, meanwhile, took full advantage of their dominance, with goals from Mariona Caldentey, Frida Maanum, Alessia Russo and Emily Fox, plus an own goal by Clare Hunt, seeing them assert themselves as the best team in north London again.
There were just 15 minutes on the clock when Kyra Cooney-Cross' perfect delivery was missed by Russo but bounced in off Hunt, with Caldentey's caressed strike into the bottom corner later in the first half doubling Arsenal's advantage in more eye-catching fashion. The Gunners didn't let up after the break, though, adding another two before the hour as Maanum's shot deflected in off Hunt, continuing her misfortune, before Russo got a deserved goal after a swift counter-attack.
Things quietened down for the rest of the game, though there was still plenty for the 56,784 inside the Emirates Stadium to get excited about before the full-time whistle sounded. Chloe Kelly's second Arsenal debut, which came after she'd already sparked the stadium into generous applause just by going out to warm-up, was the cherry on the cake for a side that has now won 15 of its 18 games since Renee Slegers took charge in mid-October, with the return from injury of captain Kim Little also an encouraging sight as the Gunners approach an extremely important part of the season.
Those who stuck around until the end did get to see the goal of the game in stoppage time, too, as Emily Fox picked out the top corner from range to round off a truly fantastic day for the hosts.
GOAL rates Arsenal's players from the Emirates Stadium…
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Daphne van Domselaar (6/10):
Had very little to do against a Spurs side that just couldn't get anything going in attack.
Emily Fox (8/10):
Did brilliantly to be such an asset in attack without neglecting her defensive work. Capped a strong display with a sensational strike from range in stoppage time.
Leah Williamson (7/10):
Grew into the game and started to step up more to play those great pass from deep. Was composed at the back when she needed to be, too.
Steph Catley (7/10):
Another really reliable performance in the heart of defence. She's in great form.
Katie McCabe (7/10):
Got herself into dangerous positions so often that she was able to cause a whole host of problems, even if her final ball wasn't always brilliant.
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Lia Walti (8/10):
Kept the ball well, showed great movement and was, again, the perfect foil for Cooney-Cross.
Kyra Cooney-Cross (8/10):
Delivered great set pieces and a superb cross for the first goal, amid a range of other really nice attacking contributions.
Frida Maanum (7/10):
Was really efficient when she got on the ball, with every touch a valuable one in the Arsenal attack.
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Caitlin Foord (7/10):
Was a consistent nuisance to the Spurs defence. Could've made better decisions at times, including when she was through on goal but looked to be unselfish, though that wasn't an issue for Arsenal's fourth, when she waited for the right moment to tee up Russo.
Alessia Russo (9/10):
Really positive performance in which she was always trying to turn her marker and create a chance for herself or someone else. Didn't get a touch on the opening goal but her movement across Hunt played a huge role in it, with her finally getting her goal to make it 4-0.
Mariona Caldentey (8/10):
Involved in so much of Arsenal's good play and got a deserved goal with a superb finish to make it 2-0.
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Stina Blackstenius (6/10):
Was immediately involved after coming on on the hour, forcing Kop into another save almost straight away before linking up with Kelly in a move that ended with the Swede seeing her effort deflect behind for a corner.
Chloe Kelly (6/10):
Was positive in her half-hour cameo, creating a chance within minutes for Blackstenius.
Laia Codina (N/A):
Gave Catley a rest for the final 15 minutes. Slotted in seamlessly.
Kim Little (N/A):
Made her return from injury in the closing stages, getting some valuable minutes in the legs after missing the last three games.
Jenna Nighswonger (N/A):
Made her WSL debut in the final few minutes.
Renee Slegers (8/10):
Slegers' biggest impact at Arsenal since taking over in mid-October is arguably in these games that the team should win, but regularly failed to do so because of their inability to break down low blocks. This was another example of how well she has helped them conquer that issue. Big scoreline allowed her to give some players a rest, too, and hand Kelly her second Arsenal debut.