Arsenal Women 6-1 Tottenham: Spurs hammered in mismatched NLD

The last time Tottenham Hotspur Women played Arsenal, it was in the quarterfinals of the FA Cup. Spurs battled hard, pressed high, blew up midfield, and held Arsenal scoreless for 70 minutes before tiring. They eventually lost 4-0, but there was a lot of positives to take from it.

Not so much in this match. Spurs conceded three times in the opening 15 minutes, rarely tested Arsenal going forward, missed a penalty kick, and fell to the league leaders 6-1 at Meadow Park. It was ugly. Viv Miedema scored a first half hat trick, Caitlin Foord added a brace, and Kate McCabe added another one in an absolute beat-down from the opening kick. Tottenham, however, earned their first league goal from open play after Lucia Leon headed home a Siri Worm corner kick in the 78th minute.

It was rough. I don’t really want to write about it. It is my job to do so.

Key Moments

First Half

3’ — Goal to Arsenal. Kate McCabe with a stunner of a free kick from the edge of the box that pings in off the side of the post. Stunning. 1-0 Arsenal.

7’ — Goal to Arsenal. This time it’s Vivienne Miedema, with a pinpoint shot from inside the box. Ouch. 2-0 Arsenal.

10’ — Great shot from Rianna Dean, who takes the ball away in midfield, and fires at goal, forcing Zinsberger to jump up to make an outstanding fingertip save.

15’ — Goal to Arsenal. Caitlin Foord, this time on a long ball behind the defense. 3-0 Arsenal. Owww.

37’ — Goal to Arsenal. Miedema again, with a deflected ball past Spencer into the net.

39’ — A double-sub in the first half for Spurs. Rosella Ayane and Lucia Leon on for Gemma Davison and Lucy Quinn. Desperate times, etc.

41’ — Goal to Arsenal. Miedema gets a first half hat trick and Spurs are down 5-0.

HALFTIME: Brutal.

Second Half

49’ — PENALTY TO SPURS! Lucia Leon is taken down very softly and the official points to the spot. Rianna Dean steps up to take the penalty kick... and it’s saved by Zinzberger. Crap.

58’ — Sub for Spurs as Anna Filbey is withdrawn for Siri Worm. Filbey had taken a knock to the ankle, so this is probably precautionary.

65’ — Goal to Arsenal. Caitlin Foord gets her second, and it’s 6-0. Lottie Wuben-Moy is immediately subbed on for Miedema.

78’ — GOAL TOTTENHAM! IT’S LUCIA LEON! Lovely corner kick from Siri Worm is headed into the back of the net.

90’ — Sub for Spurs as teenager Elicia Suola comes on for Alanna Kennedy.

FULL TIME — Whoooof. Final score 6-1.

Reactions

• I mean, I’m not sure what to say. This was an Arsenal team that has an injury crisis and only named four women on the bench. They’re just really good and deep.
• Arsenal were absolutely clinical in the opening minutes of the match. Spurs gave them chances, and Arsenal converted them. That’s the story.
• This was extremely hard to watch and there’s not a whole lot of good to take away. The only thing I can think of is that Spurs have one more tough match upcoming against Reading before the schedule starts to ease.
• Leon’s header was really nice from a good corner kick, so that’s a bit of a silver lining. That was Spurs’ first league goal from open play this season.
• Bleach your brain of this match by switching over to the men vs. West Ham. Save me from these memories, Gareth Bale!