Gunners cruise to League Cup semi-finals: Five things we learned from Brighton 0-4 Arsenal | OneFootball

Defending champions Arsenal stormed into the League Cup semi-finals with an emphatic performance, netting four second-half goals, including a rapid three in five minutes.

Following a frantic first half where Arsenal failed to truly test Brighton goalkeeper Melina Loeck, the Gunners capitalised on defensive lapses in the second half to secure a commanding victory over their Women’s Super League rivals.

A stunning three-goal haul from Frida Maanum, Katie McCabe, and Kyra Cooney-Cross was capped by Mariona Caldentey’s late strike, propelling Renee Slegers’ side into the semis, where they will face Manchester City, who defeated Manchester United earlier this evening.

Here are five things we learned from tonight’s match…

Quickfire goalsBrighton held firm for 65 minutes before Arsenal’s relentless pressure broke through. While the Gunners missed opportunities to punish Brighton’s shaky moments in the first half, they turned clinical in the second, scoring four goals to overwhelm their opponents. Three goals in five minutes was the nail in the coffin for the home side, as they have struggled to find the form they found since the start of the WSL season.

Brighton’s struggles at the backArsenal initially found it hard to create clear chances, but Brighton’s risky attempts to play out from the back proved costly. A defensive error in the 65th minute allowed Mariona Caldentey to intercept and set up Frida Maanum for a straightforward finish. Brighton’s struggles mirrored Man City’s challenges in the weekend’s derby – it will be a vulnerability Dario Vidosic will be keen to address in his side.

“We’ve got McCabe”Fan favorite Katie McCabe, who captained Arsenal on the night, further endeared herself to the traveling supporters with a 68th-minute goal, her first of the season. You wouldn’t be remiss thinking she was Arsenal’s number nine, as she tapped in Russo’s cutback and sent the packed away stand into raptures. Chants of “We’ve got McCabe, Katie McCabe… I just don’t think you understand” were ringing out, fans in full voice.

Two wonder strikesKyra Cooney-Cross delivered a spectacular third goal, unleashing a right-footed first-time effort from the edge of the box that found the top corner. Not to be outdone, substitute Mariona Caldentey, who assisted the opener, scored Arsenal’s fourth with a similarly audacious shot after catching keeper Melina Loeck off her line.

Slegers’ winning streak continuesRenee Slegers, who boasted an impressive record of 10 wins and a draw in her time as interim manager before the break, is continuing to thrive in her now permanent role. Following a five-goal triumph over Crystal Palace at the weekend, tonight’s four-goal display against a strong WSL opponent will only reinforce the team’s growing confidence under her leadership.