A brace by Stina Blackstenius ensured Arsenal warmed up for next week’s showdown with Women’s Super League champions Chelsea with a 4-1 thrashing of Leicester on Sunday.
Reene Slegers’ team have struggled for consistency this season, but made it three wins in a row with a comprehensive display at King Power Stadium.
Alessia Russo opened the scoring in the seventh-minute before two goals in quick succession virtually settled the result, with Sari Kees‘ own-goal followed by Blackstenius’ first goal after 36 minutes.
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Noémie Mouchon pulled one back for Leicester with seven minutes left, but Blackstenius responded within 60 seconds to help Arsenal move onto 14 points after seven matches and only five off Chelsea before Saturday’s clash at Emirates Stadium.
Back-to-back defeats at the start of October had rocked Arsenal, but a narrow victory over Brighton & Hove Albion was followed by a fine midweek success at Benfica before the international break.
Blackstenius was recalled for the trip to Leicester but it was strike partner Russo who broke the deadlock.
Beth Mead burst forward out wide and crossed in for Blackstenius, who tried to control but subsequently teed up Russo to drill home for her fifth goal of the campaign.
It was 2-0 after 32 minutes when Russo got in down the right this time and her cross was slide home by Leicester defender Kees.
Arsenal’s third arrived in the 35th-minute when Mead passed into Blackstenius and she slotted home.
Visiting boss Slegers shuffled her pack early into the second half, bringing off Katie McCabe, Caitlin Foord and Mariona Caldentey in the 59th minute.
England attacker Chloe Kelly was one of three players introduced and would make her mark, but only after Leicester grabbed a consolation.
It was a fantastic effort by Mouchon as she raced past a number of Arsenal defenders and slotted beyond Daphne van Domselaar in the 83rd minute to ruin the away side’s hopes of a third consecutive clean sheet.
Fittingly Blackstenius had the final say on proceedings with a superb fourth goal for the Champions League holders with six minutes left.
Substitute Kelly sent the ball over the top for Blackstenius, who raced into the penalty area and smashed an effort high into the roof of the net to take her tally for the campaign to four.
Arsenal were forced to bring off captain Kim Little two minutes from time after she received treatment, but this third straight wins builds momentum before Saturday’s visit of league champions Chelsea.
