Goals from Kim Little, Vivianne Miedema and a hat-trick from Jill Roord contributed to a ruthless display for last season’s Women’s Champions League quarterfinalists at Boreham Wood.
The early stages of the match were largely an indicator for how the rest of the game would play out. Reading were putting on an admirable defensive display but were constantly smothered by their opponents, giving the ball away when they had rare opportunities up front.
Arsenal would open the scoring beautifully in the 14th minute, Leah Williamson chipping a pass over the Reading backline that fell perfectly for Little, who volleyed home first time into the far corner, just past the diving Grace Moloney.
As the half progressed, Arsenal found repeated success attacking down the right wing, with Little and Beth Mead making blitzing runs then passing into the middle on multiple occasions, creating a host of chances.
Arsenal would go into the break with a 3-0 lead.
Reading would show encouraging signs to open the second half, pressing much higher up the pitch and creating a period where they were allowed to settle in the Arsenal half.
However, the Gunners would not allow Reading to chip away at their lead, shutting down any potential attack that their opponents could create and leaving Reading to try for multiple efforts from distance, with few challenging Manuela Zinsberger in the Arsenal net.
As the game wore on, the fast-paced offense of Arsenal and Reading’s high press seemed to be their undoing as the Royals fatigued, subbing off veteran midfielder Fara Williams and from that point, Reading had little to offer and just looked outmatched.
As lopsided as the final score was, Arsenal would likely feel that they could have had more. There were multiple occasions where Arsenal’s forwards rounded Moloney or passed quickly across goal but then hesitated, which allowed Reading’s defenders, most notably Molly Bartrip to clear off the line.
The pick of the goals would come in the 77th minute, star striker Vivianne Miedema rifling a shot off the crossbar and in from outside the penalty area.
Reading would get a consolation goal in the final minute of the ninety, with Arsenal keeper Zinsberger showing too much of the ball to Danielle Carter, who simply slid to poke the ball into the net, a mistake that Arsenal will look to iron out if they hope to thwart local rivals Chelsea in their quest to retain the WSL title.
Arsenal will look to build on their impressive display away to West Ham in their next match, while Reading host Aston Villa, with both teams looking to bounce back from respective losses.
The Inbound Observer 