Beth Mead and Alessia Russo star as Arsenal ease to win over Bristol City

Braces from Beth Mead and Alessia Russo helped Arsenal cruise to a 5-0 win over Bristol City in the Women’s Super League on Sunday evening.

Mead netted twice in the first half before an own goal from Ella Powell and two goals from Russo contributed to the Robins’ collapse.

The victory keeps Arsenal firmly in contention for a place in the Champions League next season, stretching the gap to nine points ahead of fourth-placed Manchester United.

Bristol City, however, are currently facing relegation, bottom of the table and seven points adrift of West Ham in 11th.

Arsenal opened the scoring in the seventh minute as Mead pounced on Caitlin Foord’s attempt that crashed off the post and into the winger’s path.

The hosts were capitalising on some productive play on the left flank, with the link-up of Australian duo Foord and Steph Catley proving to be their best attacking threat.

Captain Kim Little missed a golden opportunity to add a second, firing inches over the crossbar.

Two goals in as many minutes firmly placed the hosts in the driving seat.

Mead slammed home her second before Catley’s lofted cross took a big deflection off Powell and into the back of the net.

Arsenal were pulling the strings and orchestrating the tempo by this stage. Keeping control of possession and the midfield, the visitors found it hard to retain possession and break the Gunners down.

City had their best chance of the evening as Emily Syme barrelled down on goal, yet Arsenal’s defensive capabilities ensured they remained firmly in control of the threat.

At the other end, a spectacular long-range strike from Russo following a solo run added the hosts’ fourth in the 59th minute before she netted the fifth in the 73rd minute.

Visiting keeper Fran Bentley, though perhaps culpable for Russo’s first goal, had been otherwise impressive and pulled off acrobatic saves to deny Emily Fox and Russo once again.

Topping off the evening for Arsenal, right-back Laura Wienroither returned to the pitch for the first time since May 2023 after an anterior cruciate ligament injury, with academy prospect Katie Reid making her WSL debut from the bench.