Deflected Smith Strike Sees Arsenal Edge Past Brighton
Arsenal Women 1–0 Brighton & Hove Albion Women
Emirates Stadium, Sunday 12 October 2025 — Attendance: 27,336
Arsenal Women edged past Brighton & Hove Albion 1–0 at the Emirates Stadium, with a deflected first-half strike proving enough to secure all three points for Renee Slegers' side.
The Gunners began on the front foot, dominating possession and territory but finding Brighton’s defence difficult to break down. The breakthrough came midway through the first half when Olivia Smith’s low drive from the edge of the area took a wicked deflection off Marisa Olislagerswrong-footing the goalkeeper and nestling in the net for what proved to be the game’s only goal.
Arsenal continued to press but couldn’t find a second, and Brighton grew into the match after the break. The visitors created several good openings, only to be denied by a sharp performance from Daphne van Domselaarwho produced a string of fine saves to protect the narrow lead.
The match was halted in the second half following a worrying moment when Brighton defender Maelys Mpome was stretchered off after a head injury. Players from both sides showed concern as she received lengthy treatment before being taken from the field to warm applause from the crowd.
Arsenal held firm through the tense closing stages to claim a much-needed win. It wasn’t the most fluent display from Slegers’ team, but after recent frustrations, the result was all that mattered. The Gunners will hope this hard-fought victory provides the spark to build momentum in the weeks ahead.
Final score:
Arsenal Women 1-0 Brighton & Hove Albion Women
- Olislagers
(15' and)
