Dominant Arsenal Cruise Past Bristol City to Reach FA Cup Fifth Round

Arsenal secured their place in the fifth round of the FA Cup last night with a landslide 5-0 win against Championship team Bristol City.

After postponing the game three weeks ago due to a frozen Meadow Park, last night saw the fourth round of the Women's FA Cup take place, with Arsenal taking on Bristol City at Meadow Park.

Arsenal took the lead after just 3 minutes, with a brilliant linkup between Frida Maanum, Beth Mead and Stina Blackstenius putting the home side ahead, thanks to Blackstenius tapping it in to make the score 1-0.

Bristol City were visibly frustrated and the nerves kicked in the further through the game it got, having only made the one shot throughout the whole game, as opposed to Arsenal’s 12.

The home side’s second goal came in just five minutes after the first, with a set piece from Kyra Cooney-Cross working out exactly how Arsenal wanted it, with Bristol’s goalkeeper Jackie Burns fumbling the save and Frida Maanum’s quick thinking double their lead.

Whilst Bristol played their top side, Arsenal made seven changes from their previous game, an unfortunate late loss to Chelsea, which saw players like 18 year old Katie Reid in the starting lineup. Reid is the only young player who the Gunners have kept in their squad for the remainder of the season, while Vivienne Lia, Laila Harbert, Maddy Earl and Freya Godfrey have gone out on loan to Championship teams, and Teyah Goldie still at London City Lionesses for the season.

The goals kept on coming for Arsenal, but the most impressive was goal number 5, which came from a fabulous goal from Beth Mead, assisted by Leah Williamson, a goal which was meant to be a cross, but went straight into the back of the net.

At 79 minutes, Arsenal saw Amanda Ilestedt return after almost a year out on maternity leave.

Attendance for the game was 2,808, and the game ended 5-0 to The Arsenal, who will now face London City Lionesses on Sunday 9th February at Meadow Park for the fifth round of the cup. Before then, Arsenal have an away clash with Manchester City on Sunday 2nd February at the Joie Stadium.