Arsenal earned a comfortable victory at home to Bristol City to progress to the Fifth Round of the Adobe Women’s FA Cup. Braces from Stina Blackstenius and Beth Mead and a poacher’s finish from Frida Maanum ensured there were no hiccups for the WSL side as they returned to winning ways.
The Action
After the first attempt at this Fourth Round fixture fell foul of a frozen pitch, Arsenal hosted Bristol City at Meadow Park. Renée Slegers’ side were looking to get back to winning ways after their disappointing defeat to Chelsea in the league at the week. The Robins, meanwhile, are flying high in the Championship, going toe-to-toe with Birmingham City at the top of the table.
Arsenal, wearing their all-white “No More Red” kit – an initiative supporting the club’s community work in helping keeping young people safe from knife crime and youth violence – made seven changes. Lotte Wubben-Moy took the armband to partner Laia Codina in central defence with Manuela Zinsberger coming into goal. Stina Blackstenius, meanwhile, led the line with Alessia Russo rested. In contrast, Steve Kirby made just one alteration to the side that had won away at Birmingham with Jackie Burns replacing Fran Bentley in goal.
Arsenal dominated proceedings and were ahead within just three minutes. Winning it back with their energetic press in the middle, Frida Maanum swept a pass out to Beth Mead. She drilled in a pinpoint low cross for Blackstenius to turn into an empty net.
Continuing their pressure, they doubled their lead shortly after when Kyra Cooney-Cross’ effort from the top of the box was spilled backwards by Burns. The goalkeeper desperately tried to backpeddle to keep it out but Maanum made sure, running in to bundle it home.
For all of Arsenal’s pressure, the visitors did create a couple of chances of their own in the first half. Captain Jamie-Lee Napier was at the heart of their transitional play and had their best attempt of the match. Played through by Lloyd-Smith, she opted to shoot early forcing Zinsberger into an easy stop.
Despite these glimpses, however, it was all Arsenal and they added another two before the break. Blackstenius let loose with a curling effort to beat Burns from just outside the box before Mead nodded home Rosa Kafaji’s cross at the far post.
The second half followed in much the same vein although the Gunners only added one more to their tally. It came in in spectacular fashion from Mead, scoring her brace to see the hosts comfortably through to the Fifth Round.
Stand Out Moment
The game was already done and dusted in the result sense but Arsenal’s fifth and final goal saw the return of the trademark Beth Mead crot. Was it a cross? Was it a shot? It didn’t matter as she took aim from 25 yards out on the right touchline, lifting the ball over Burns in between the sticks for Bristol City.
The @bmeado9 crot returns… MEADO ™️ pic.twitter.com/kDYs4HCYs7
— Girls on the Ball (@GirlsontheBall) January 29, 2025
Stand Out Performance
Beth Mead put in a vintage performance down the right side with a brace and an assist. Her driving runs down Arsenal’s right side stretched Bristol City’s defence throughout and she produced two different finished that just exemplified her instinctiveness as an attacker. Her relationship with Stina Blackstenius continues to develop.
Quote of the Day
We’ve practised my first one a lot in training, that’s why [Mariona and I] ran up to each other and said ‘About time!’
But the second one I can’t really claim! It was meant to be a cross and I know I’ve scored a few of them in my career but every goal you’ll take and it looks good as well.
Beth Mead, Arsenal
Teams
ARSENAL
Manuela Zinsberger; Katie Reid, Lotte Wubben-Moy (c), Laia Codina, Steph Catley; Frida Maanum, Kyra Cooney-Cross, Rosa Kafaji; Beth Mead, Stina Blackstenius, Mariona Caldentey
Subs: Daphne van Domselaar; Emily Fox; Amanda Ilestedt; Niamh Peacock; Alessia Russo; Leah Williamson; Lia Wälti
Manager: Renée Slegers
BRISTOL CITY
Jacqui Burns; Sille Struck, Harley Bennett, Chloe Mustaki; Ella Powell, Emily Syme, Libby Bance, Jamie-Lee Napier (c); Jesse Woolley, Lloyd-Smith, Morgan
Subs: Fran Bentley; Amalie Thestrup; Lia O’Leary; Jess Simpson; Tianna Teisar
Manager: Steve Kirby
