Brighton & Hove Albion delivered a stunning 4-2 defeat to Arsenal Women at Broadfield Stadium on Monday, May 5, 2025, marking their first-ever Women’s Super League victory over the Gunners in 14 attempts. This result is a significant blow to Arsenal’s hopes of securing second place in the WSL and directly impacts their entry point into next season’s Champions League qualification.
Just seven days prior, Renee Slegers’ side were celebrating a remarkable 4-1 away win over Lyon that sent them to their first Women’s Champions League final in 18 years. However, the mood shifted dramatically following a 5-2 loss to Aston Villa and now the 4-2 defeat at Brighton. This sequence marks Arsenal’s second successive league defeat for the first time since May 2023. Worryingly, the side that collapsed against Brighton was similar to the one that conquered Lyon, unlike the heavily rotated squad against Villa.
Arsenal knew victory against Brighton would have wrapped up second place in the WSL. Instead, the outcome leaves them just one point ahead of third-placed Manchester United. The race for second place will now be decided on the final day of the season when Arsenal face Manchester United at the Emirates. As one commentator put it, conceding second place to Man United would be a disaster.
How the Defeat Unfolded in these Crucial Arsenal Games
The match got off to a fast start with early chances for Brighton. Kiko Seike almost broke the deadlock within the first minute, and Jelena Cankovic’s fierce shot was tipped over by Arsenal goalkeeper Manuela Zinsberger. Despite Arsenal having the majority of possession (76.1% vs Brighton’s 23.9%), Brighton were clinical.
Brighton took the lead in the 16th minute when former Chelsea forward Fran Kirby curled a stunning effort into the top corner from the edge of the box. Arsenal responded in the 29th minute through Caitlin Foord. After Mariona Caldentey delivered a cross to the far post, Brighton goalkeeper Sophie Baggaley saved Foord’s initial shot, but Foord was able to tap in the rebound. Baggaley, a late pre-match replacement for Melina Loeck, had an impressive game and made several crucial saves, earning Player of the Match for many. She made 10 saves in total.
Brighton regained the lead just before halftime in the 43rd minute. Following an Arsenal corner clearance headed away by Frida Maanum, the ball fell to Jelena Cankovic on the edge of the box, and she struck a spectacular volley into the net.
The second half saw Brighton extend their lead with two quick goals. Cankovic scored her second in the 52nd minute after Arsenal were caught playing out from the back. A stray clearance from Zinsberger was first to by Marit Auée, who played the ball back to an unmarked Cankovic, who lobbed it over the Arsenal keeper. Just two minutes later, in the 54th minute, Kiko Seike raced onto a ball upfield and drove her shot past Zinsberger for Brighton’s fourth goal.
Arsenal scored a late consolation goal in stoppage time through Mariona Caldentey. Despite having 25 shots compared to Brighton’s 13 and forcing Baggaley into 10 saves, Arsenal couldn’t recover.
Defensive Concerns and Champions League Implications
The match highlighted Arsenal’s significant defensive vulnerabilities, described as a “defensive disasterclass”, a “shambles” (implied by comment), and a “mess”. They have now shipped nine goals in their past two WSL games after conceding 14 in their previous 19 outings. Arsenal boss Renee Slegers stated, “We conceded nine goals in the last two WSL games and we just said as a team we don’t think it’s acceptable”. She added that they need to learn “two very tough lessons coming off a big success” and that “this is not what we are about”.
Caitlin Foord echoed this sentiment, telling Sky Sports, “It’s not good enough all round and we need to take a look at ourselves individually and as a team”. She acknowledged that Brighton took their chances well, and Arsenal didn’t take theirs.
The defeat means the final game, Arsenal vs Man United, will determine who finishes second. Finishing second would mean entering next season’s Champions League in the third qualifying round, while third place would require entry a round earlier in the second qualifying round. Arsenal midfielder Lia Walti noted that losing to United would mean dropping to third place. Slegers acknowledged they were “very aware of our position” and winning today would have secured second place.
Crucially, Arsenal could still secure a place in next season’s new league phase if they beat Barcelona in this season’s Champions League final.
Slegers noted the intensity for the players with the Champions League final ahead, stating they need to be in the moment and find solutions. Foord emphasized the importance of the Manchester United game as their last opportunity to prepare in a competitive game and regain confidence before the final.
Brighton manager Dario Vidosic praised his team’s bravery, toughness, and resilience, highlighting the effort as phenomenal. He noted the quality of their finishing was extremely high. This historic win for Brighton keeps them on course for a potential club-best fifth-place finish in the WSL. The classificações de Brighton show them moving three points clear in fifth.
With their Champions League qualification entry point on the line in the crucial Arsenal x Manchester United clash, Arsenal are under pressure to perform better on the final day. As one analysis put it, “They better shape up, or risk losing everything they have worked so hard for all season”.
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