The Gunners suffered an early scare at the hands of the Hammers, but a dominant second-half performance and some inspired substitutions meant they walked away with all three points
Arsenal Women continued a stunning start to the new WSL season with a 5-1 comeback victory at West Ham United, Alessia Russo finding the net twice late on to put the gloss on an emphatic victory.
West Ham had taken an early lead after Daphne van Domselaar took her eye off Shekiera Martinez's cross from the right, dropping the ball and allowing it to bounce off her and into the net. But the Gunners would not be deterred as Frida Maanum equalised before substitute Stina Blackstenius turned the game around off the bench.
Caitlin Foord added a third on her 100th WSL appearance, before Russo scored twice late on, both assisted by £1million record signing Olivia Smith, to send out a statement to Chelsea and the rest of the the Gunners' title rivals.
Following their opening-day 4-1 victory over London City Lionesses, Arsenal undoubtedly approached this encounter with a spring in their step but were dealt an early blow after just five minutes. Goalkeeper Van Domselaar's early error gave West Ham a shock lead and left the Gunners with an early deficit to come back from.
Arsenal rallied to build their way into the game though, equalising through Maanum just beyond the 20-minute mark. After some smart hold-up play by Russo, Beth Mead played the killer through-ball and Maanum struck the ball early to deceive Megan Walsh and equalise for the visitors.
Remaining level at the break, Arsenal manager Renee Slegers took off goalscorer Maanum and replaced her with Champions League final match-winner Blackstenius. The 29-year-old made a telling impact just seven minutes after her introduction, curling home left-footed from the edge of the box with Russo involved once again with a clever back-heel into her path.
Russo would eventually get her deserved goals late on, firing home from range before rounding off the result from the spot after Smith was felled by Ines Belloumou.
GOAL rates Arsenal's players from Chigwell Construction Stadium…
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Daphne van Domselaar (4/10):
Had almost the worst possible start following her glaring error after five minutes. While it didn't appear to impact the rest of her performance, West Ham created few opportunities so she had precious little to do.
Emily Fox (6/10):
A solid performance in both defence and attack. Confident to get on the ball and play forward from right-back.
Katie Reid (8/10):
The 18-year-old was starting for the second successive game and did not look out of place, continuing her confident start to life in the WSL with an assured display at the back. Always asking for the ball, Reid also looked to play progressive passes to begin attacks.
Steph Catley (7/10):
While the spotlight was no doubt on Reid, her central defensive partner showed all of her experience to limit West Ham's opportunities to get back into the game.
Katie McCabe (6/10):
Similarly to Fox, McCabe showed her athleticism to join attacks while ensuring that the home side created minimal opportunities at the other end.
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Kim Little (6/10):
A confident display controlling the midfield by the 35-year-old, who kept things ticking in a solid team performance.
Mariona Caldentey (7/10):
The Spain midfielder also looked at ease in the middle of the park and played her role in two of the goals, including a pin-point cross onto the head of Foord.
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Beth Mead (7/10):
Mead was a strong attacking threat in particularly the first half, grabbing her third assist of the new season and driving her team forward on a number of occasions. Could have got her goal in the second period but slid the ball just wide.
Frida Maanum (7/10):
Took her chance to equalise in the first half when the team needed it. Was withdrawn at half-time in what appeared a harsh but ultimately effective decision.
Caitlin Foord (8/10):
Had an emphatic finish disallowed for offside before heading home just after the hour mark. A fitting way to mark her 100th WSL appearance.
Alessia Russo (9/10):
Ran tirelessly for the team and secured victory with her two goals, powering into the roof of the net from outside the box then stepping up confidently from the penalty spot. Not to forget her ingenious back-heel to set up Blackstenius' goal.
Subs & Manager
Stina Blackstenius (7/10):
Was brought on to win the game and Blackstenius helped to do just that. Already two goals off the bench this season to prove the depth in the Gunners squad.
Olivia Smith (8/10):
The Gunners' record signing stole the headlines on the opening day but was initially rested to the bench for this one. Came on in the second half and made her contribution with two assists for Russo, including winning the late penalty.
Taylor Hinds (N/A):
Came on with just over ten minutes to play and helped see out a confident victory.
Victoria Pelova (N/A):
Also came on late on alongside Hinds.
Lotte Wubben-Moy (N/A):
Replaced Catley in the final few minutes of the game.
Renee Slegers (8/10):
Slegers made tough calls, both in terms of her starting XI and her substitutions. Most of her decisions proved to be the correct ones and Arsenal won comfortably in the end.
