Arsenal claimed victory in their first Women’s Super League match since boss Jonas Eidevall’s departure as they beat West Ham 2-0 at the Chigwell Construction Stadium.

At a ground where they had been held 0-0 and then beaten 2-1 in the past two seasons, the Gunners were enduring more frustration before an Amber Tysiak challenge on substitute Stina Blackstenius with around 20 minutes to go resulted in a penalty that was converted by Mariona Caldentey.

Blackstenius, one of four players brought on just before the hour mark by interim boss Renee Slegers, then teed up a finish by another, fellow Sweden international Rosa Kafaji, in the 89th minute.

Only a second win from five WSL games for Arsenal this term made it two victories from as many outings under Slegers, having on Wednesday beaten Valerenga 4-1 in the Champions League a day on from Eidevall’s resignation.

The winless run in the league goes for Rehanne Skinner’s rock-bottom West Ham, now standing at 14 matches since the victory over Arsenal in February.

Arsenal went close to taking the lead in the 20th minute when Alessia Russo took the ball past Shalina Zadorsky as she moved into the box and drove just wide of the far post.

Moments later, West Ham goalkeeper Kinga Szemik did well to block an Emily Fox effort with her leg, then comfortably dealt with a Russo header.

Arsenal subsequently struggled to put much together in attack for the rest of the first half aside from Lia Walti seeing a shot saved by Szemik just prior to the break, while at the other end Katrina Gorry sent a curler over the bar.

The start of the second half saw Szemik stop a Katie McCabe effort and the hosts were then presented with a good chance that Viviane Asseyi drilled wide.

Slegers then shook things up by making a quadruple substitution as Blackstenius, Kafaji, Beth Mead – one of two players dropped to the bench from the Valerenga game, alongside Leah Williamson – and Kyra Cooney-Cross came on.

Blackstenius was swiftly to the fore as her attempt at a dinked finish was diverted wide by Szemik.

And when she then went down in the box under the attentions of Tysiak, referee Thomas Parsons pointed to the spot and Caldentey converted from 12 yards as Szemik went the wrong way.

Gorry skewed well wide and substitute Emma Harries saw a header easily caught by Daphne van Domselaar as West Ham sought to hit back in vain, before Kafaji wrapped things up late on with her first Arsenal goal, firing in when Blackstenius laid the ball to her from the left.