Arsenal Women claimed a vital 2-1 win over Liverpool at the Emirates thanks to a breathtaking strike from Olivia Smith and a late finish from Stina Blackstenius.
The game flowed end to end, but Arsenal’s bravery in key moments made the final difference.
The hosts started on the front foot. Frida Maanum tested Faye Kirby early, and Beth Mead forced the Liverpool keeper into another save soon after.
Lotte Wubben-Moy then rose highest from a corner but couldn’t beat the goalkeeper with her central header.
Wubben-Moy clipped a clever ball over the top for Alessia Russo.
Russo beat her marker and crossed for Smith, whose effort was flicked by Mariona Caldentey, but Kirby got down sharply to deny her.
Moments later, Wubben-Moy hit the post with a towering header from a short corner routine.
Then came the breakthrough. Smith dazzled in the 16th minute, weaving past three Liverpool players before drilling a superb long-range effort into the bottom-left corner.
Russo nearly doubled the lead when her looping cross clipped the roof of the net. But against the run of play, the Reds struck back.
Beata Olsson raced through and slotted past debutant Anneke Borbe to make it 1-1 with the visitors’ first real chance.
Arsenal came out stronger after the restart. Mariona picked off a pass and fed Russo, who created space but dragged her shot wide.
In the 87th minute, she controlled a lofted ball from Fox, turned sharply and smashed a brilliant left-footed strike into the top corner.
It was a ruthless finish that restored Arsenal’s lead at 2-1. Seven minutes of added time brought tension, but Arsenal saw it out.
Smith left the pitch to a standing ovation as she made way for Laia Codina. The final whistle confirmed three huge points for the Gunners.
The Gunners now turn their focus to Champions League action at Meadow Park on Tuesday when they host FC Twente.
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