Four-goal Gunners! Arsenal cruise past Villa to extend winning run: Five things we learned

Arsenal extended their winning run as they breezed past Aston Villa here at a blustery Emirates Stadium.

Alessia Russo would head home to open the scoring after a tentative opening period, but from there the hosts were free-flowing, gliding through Villa with ease. Beth Mead would score a tap in to double their lead shortly before half time, before Blackstenius would add a third with 20 minutes remaining. A stunning curled effort from Russo would make it four with seconds remaining to add insult to injury.

Here’s five things we learned from Arsenal 4-0 Aston Villa.

Arsenal continue their upward trajectory

Aston Villa are far from the best team in the WSL, but they are no slouches either. That said, Arsenal made light work of their guests barely breaking a sweat as they cruised to victory.

It means five wins on the bounce for the Gunners, whose progress under Renee Slegers has been nothing short of miraculous after a rudderless start to the season. They have now leapfrogged Brighton to return to the top three, reestablishing themselves as giants of the English game after a feeble start.

Next week’s trip to face Liverpool and a home tie against Bayern Munich could prove to be defining moments of their campaign as they look to maintain momentum.

Swedes snubbed again – what more can they do?

Arsenal’s Swedish contingent of Blackstenius and Rosa Kafaji were again stranded on the bench for today’s game despite both performing impressively in the international break.

Coming into today’s match, Blackstenius had the best goals-per-minute ratio in the league despite making just three starts this season.

Facing bottom-half opposition today, Blackstenius was awarded an extended substitute appearance and managed a goal, but when will the opportunity to make an impact from the start present itself?

Arsenal keep climbing under Slegers

Renee Slegers remains undefeated in her time as Arsenal’s interim manager, winning all but one of her games in the dugout.

Reports have emerged saying that she will remain in the post until the new year, and she remains coy about whether she would like to hold onto the position, but there is no denying that she has revolutionised this team. Adding flair, confidence and happiness that was lost towards the end of Jonas Eidevall’s tenure.

With the Gunners still reported to be looking for new candidates elsewhere, it may be time for them to take a serious look inwards.

Mead resumes scoring form after fruitless internationals

Over 120 minutes of play in the international break yielded little for Beth Mead, who failed to find the back of the net for the Lionesses against the United States and Switzerland, but today she laced up her shooting boots.

Her first-half goal provided Arsenal the comfort they needed to ride out a late Villa push, ultimately securing the win. Revisiting the starting line up after being relegated to the bench in the north London derby and home tie against Juventus, she reminded Slegers of her importance to this side.

Gunners cope in captain Little’s absence as Williamson steps up

We saw a mature side of Arsenal today, as longstanding captain Kim Little was rested and the team did not miss a beat.

The heartbeat of the midfield, her on-the-ball presence was more than made up for by Mariona Caldentey and and Kyra Cooney-Cross, while Leah Williamson’s leadership qualities and bountiful experience shone through.

It is a promising sign that the side can perform at such a level despite being without a permanent manager and their captain. In the right conditions, this Arsenal side could easily challenge for titles, in both England and Europe.