Arsenal Women’s Player Ratings vs Leicester: That’s More Like It!

Beth Mead and Alessia Russo Shine as Much-Improved Gunners Produce Convincing WSL Win

For the first time this season, Arsenal Women truly looked like the team that conquered Europe last spring. In a commanding 4–1 win away at Leicester City, the Gunners rediscovered their trademark rhythm — fluid, ruthless, and full of intent — with Beth Mead and Alessia Russo leading the charge.

It’s been a tricky start to the Women’s Super League campaign for Renée Slegers’ side, whose early performances lacked the sharpness and swagger of a title challenger. But at the King Power Stadium on Sunday, everything finally clicked. From back to front, Arsenal exuded confidence, composure, and most importantly, clinical edge — something that’s been missing in recent weeks.

With Russo, Stina Blackstenius, and an own goal from Sari Kees sending the visitors into a 3–0 lead before half-time, the result never looked in doubt. A late strike from Leicester’s Noemie Mouchon was little more than a footnote on a day when Arsenal showed the kind of dominance fans have been yearning to see.

A Ruthless Arsenal Reborn

One of Arsenal’s recurring issues this season has been their failure to kill off games. Too often they’ve built pressure and created chances without putting opponents to the sword. Not this time. Against Leicester, the Gunners looked like a team on a mission — relentless in attack and alert defensively.

The tone was set early when Russo, operating in a slightly deeper playmaking role, smashed home the opener after clever interplay involving Kim Little and Beth Mead. That goal seemed to release a collective sigh of relief across the Arsenal bench — a sense that the European champions were finally back to their best.

Just minutes later, Russo turned provider, whipping in a dangerous low cross that forced Sari Kees to divert the ball into her own net. By the time Blackstenius added a third with a calm finish before half-time, Leicester’s fate was sealed.

The second half was more controlled than explosive, with Arsenal managing the tempo and conserving energy ahead of next weekend’s heavyweight clash with Chelsea. Even with several key absences, Slegers’ team selection — and her players’ execution — was spot on.

Absentees? No Problem

That Arsenal were able to perform at this level despite a depleted squad is arguably the most encouraging takeaway. Frida Maanum and Olivia Smith were sidelined through injuries picked up on international duty, while Lotte Wubben-Moy and Kyra Cooney-Cross were ruled out with illness. Emily Fox, fresh off a transatlantic flight from her U.S. commitments, was only fit enough for the bench.

These absences forced Slegers into an improvised setup — with Taylor Hinds, naturally left-footed, starting at right-back and Laia Codina making her first league start in over a year. Far from being a weakness, that reshuffle brought balance and energy, giving the Gunners an unexpectedly solid foundation.

And that’s the mark of a top side — finding solutions, not excuses.

Beth Mead and Alessia Russo: The Spark Returns

It’s been a slow-burning season for Beth Mead, but this was the kind of performance that reminded everyone of her quality. Buoyed by her strong showing for England over the international break, Mead was electric — her pressing sharp, her passing incisive, and her decision-making back to its brilliant best.

Russo, too, looked liberated. Shifting into a slightly deeper role allowed her to find pockets of space, link play, and exploit Leicester’s defensive gaps. Her opener was taken with authority, and her assist for the own goal showed the intelligence and precision Arsenal fans expect from their No. 23.

When both Mead and Russo are operating at full tilt, Arsenal’s attack has a completely different dimension — fluid, unpredictable, and ruthless.

Arsenal Women’s Player Ratings vs Leicester

Goalkeeper & Defence

Leicester City v Arsenal – Barclays Women’s Super League

Daphne van Domselaar (6/10)
A mostly comfortable outing. The Dutch stopper had one or two shaky moments when playing out from the back, but she made up for them with assured handling on crosses and stood tall in a key one-on-one against Mouchon.

Taylor Hinds (7/10)
A standout performer considering she was asked to play out of position. Hinds looked composed at right-back before switching to her natural left later on. Her clever through ball to Russo started the move for Arsenal’s second goal.

Laia Codina (6/10)
Her first league start since October 2024 and she looked like she’d never been away. Dominant in the air, calm in possession, and read the game well. Won all four of her aerial duels — a quietly effective return.

Steph Catley (6/10)
Reliable as ever. Partnered well with Codina at the heart of defence and rarely looked troubled. Showed good leadership in marshalling the backline.

Katie McCabe (6/10)
Aggressive, direct, and always looking to deliver dangerous balls into the box. The Irish full-back provided width and energy down the flank, though a few of her crosses went begging.

Midfield

Leicester City v Arsenal – Barclays Women’s Super League

Kim Little (7/10)
The heartbeat of Arsenal’s midfield once again. Her composure in tight spaces and defensive work rate were exceptional — nine ground duels won tells its own story. Little’s ability to dictate tempo remains vital to Slegers’ side.

Mariona Caldentey (6/10)
A mixed afternoon. She created more chances than any other player but also lost possession in dangerous areas, including one turnover that nearly led to a Leicester goal. Still, her technical quality and vision were on display.

Alessia Russo (8/10)
Back to her brilliant best. Her first goal was a striker’s finish of the highest order, and her cross for the own goal summed up her creativity. Playing deeper suited her — she had more touches and influence than usual, linking perfectly with Mead and Blackstenius.

Attack

Leicester City v Arsenal – Barclays Women’s Super League

Beth Mead (8/10)
That’s the Mead Arsenal fans love — aggressive, sharp, and tireless. She was heavily involved in the build-up to multiple goals and tracked back diligently. After her England form, this was another sign she’s fully back to her old self.

Stina Blackstenius (8/10)
A nightmare for defenders all afternoon. Scored twice, assisted once, and could easily have had more. Her movement was outstanding — always on the shoulder of Leicester’s back line, always available. A proper centre-forward performance.

Caitlin Foord (6/10)
Efficient rather than electric. Completed every pass she attempted (16/16) and created a few neat openings. Drifted in and out of the game but was tidy when involved.

Subs & Manager

Leicester City v Arsenal – Barclays Women’s Super League

Chloe Kelly (6/10)
Still searching for her full sharpness but made an impact off the bench, creating two good chances down the right. Once she hits top speed, she’ll be a serious asset.

Emily Fox (6/10)
Given a half-hour cameo at right-back, slotting in seamlessly. Considering her heavy travel schedule, Slegers might have been wiser to rest her completely, but she handled the minutes well.

Victoria Pelova (5/10)
Struggled to stamp her authority on the game after coming on. The match had slowed down by then, and she couldn’t influence proceedings as much as she’d have liked.

Jenna Nighswonger (N/A)
Finally made her first appearance of the season in stoppage time — a symbolic but welcome sight after weeks of waiting.

Katie Reid (N/A)
Introduced late on when Kim Little hobbled off with a knock. No time to make an impact, but her energy was appreciated.

Renee Slegers (6/10)
Her hand was forced with injuries and illnesses, but her tactical adjustments paid off. Hinds at right-back and Russo in a deeper role were masterstrokes. The only question mark was over her substitutions — especially risking Fox when rotation might have been wiser. Still, this was an important statement win.

Title Talk – Too Early or Just Right?

Is it time to call Arsenal title contenders again? Maybe not quite yet — this was a game they were expected to win. But the manner of the victory matters. After weeks of unconvincing performances, the Gunners finally looked cohesive and clinical.

Next week’s showdown with Chelsea will be the real litmus test. If Arsenal can carry this level of intensity and precision into that clash, then the rest of the WSL will have every reason to take them seriously once more.

For now, though, Slegers and her players can enjoy the feeling of a job well done. This was a team rediscovering its rhythm — a European champion reminding everyone why it holds that crown.

Final Thoughts

This 4–1 victory wasn’t just three points — it was a statement. A reminder that Arsenal, despite their early-season stumbles, are still one of the most formidable forces in women’s football.

Mead was magnificent, Russo influential, and Blackstenius devastating in front of goal. Behind them, a patched-up defence stood tall, while Kim Little quietly pulled the strings as only she can.

If this performance was a preview of what’s to come, then Arsenal might just be back in business. Because on this evidence, they’re not only winning games again — they’re winning them the Arsenal way.