Beth Mead boost for Arsenal amid Vivianne Miedema questions: Gunners claim battling WSL win over Brighton courtesy of Stina Blackstenius, Caitlin Foord & Frida Maanum

The Gunners entered their meeting with the Seagulls looking to close the gap on league leaders Chelsea, with a second-placed standing cemented in the process. Jonas Eidevall had plenty of firepower within his ranks, but dominance of possession did not translate into many clear-cut chances. Stina Blackstenius almost spurned the one that came her way in the 12th minute, as she initially swung a boot at fresh air, but the Swede was able to spin on the spot before prodding into the top corner. Mead went close to doubling Arsenal’s lead around the hour mark, as they survived the odd scare at the back, but Alessia Russo and Co fluffed their lines until Caitlin Foord bobbled in a 20-yard drive 10 minutes from the end and Frida Maanum added a third in stoppage-time.

England international Beth Mead did not have the impact on the game that she would have been hoping for, but she did end up on the triumphant team. The Euro 2022 winner was able to make her first WSL start in exactly 12 months. Mead has endured a long road to recovery after suffering an ACL injury that dashed her World Cup dreams, but she is now very much back in the picture at club level and will be eager to kick on from this point after getting another 64 minutes under her belt.

Not a loser in terms of the game in question, as she did not figure in it, but Arsenal supporters will be hoping that there is no cause for concern when it comes to Vivianne Miedema’s fitness. The prolific Dutch forward has only recently returned from knee ligament damage of her own, but she was not involved at all against Brighton. Eidevall told Sky Sports of absences for Miedema, Jen Beattie and captain Kim Little: “They are missing this game through minor things. It varies between illnesses to smaller injuries, but nothing to keep them away longer.” Those comments should help to ease some fears in north London.

Both Arsenal and Brighton will be in midweek action when the Women’s League Cup takes centre stage, with the Gunners readying themselves for a trip to Southampton on Thursday while the Seagulls will be in action on the South Coast 24 hours earlier when they play host to West Ham.