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Arsenal scored three first-half goals as they cruised to victory over Reading to extend their lead at the top of the Women’s Super League to five points.
Vivianne Miedema opened the scoring on 22 minutes, and Katie McCabe doubled the advantage two minutes later.
Leah Williamson, starting her first WSL game since November, nodded in the Gunners’ third, then Stina Blackstenius poked home Miedema’s cross.
Defeat means sixth-placed Reading have lost back-to-back league games.
Miedema, who sat out Arsenal’s 4-0 FA Cup victory over Liverpool on Sunday, linked superbly with January signing Blackstenius to slot home her opener before her square ball set up the Swedish forward’s second-half goal.
Miedema’s goal means she has scored in seven consecutive games against the Royals and draws level with Chelsea’s Sam Kerr on nine for the season season.
Williamson, who was absent with a hamstring problem before captaining England to Arnold Clark Cup victory in February, rose highest to mark her return to the starting line-up with a rare goal.
The Gunners, seeking their first league title since 2019, face Birmingham on Sunday and could go eight points clear of Chelsea, though the Blues will have three games in hand.
Reading, meanwhile, face a tough run with matches against Tottenham, Manchester United and Manchester City.
Line-ups
Arsenal Women
Formation 4-3-3
- 1Zinsberger
- 16MaritzSubstituted forWienroitherat 59′minutes
- 6Williamson
- 2Carvalho Souza
- 7Catley
- 10Little
- 11MiedemaSubstituted forNobbsat 75′minutes
- 13WältiSubstituted forMaanumat 59′minutes
- 15McCabeSubstituted forHeathat 71′minutes
- 25Blackstenius
- 19FoordSubstituted forMeadat 60′minutes
Substitutes
- 5Beattie
- 8Nobbs
- 9Mead
- 12Maanum
- 18Williams
- 20Boye
- 23Iwabuchi
- 26Wienroither
- 77Heath
Reading Women
Formation 4-4-2
- 21Stewart
- 2Bryson
- 14Cooper
- 5Evans
- 28Woodham
- 12HarriesSubstituted forVanhaevermaetat 45′minutes
- 9Eikeland
- 51Troelsgaard
- 11Harding
- 37PrimmerSubstituted forRoweat 45′minutes
- 10DowieSubstituted forRoseat 45′minutes
Substitutes
- 4Peplow
- 6Rose
- 23Rowe
- 27Vanhaevermaet
- 31Roberts
- 35Baigent
- 39Thomann
- 41Poulter
Live Text
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Match ends, Arsenal Women 4, Reading Women 0.
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Second Half ends, Arsenal Women 4, Reading Women 0.
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Foul by Rafaelle (Arsenal Women).
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Natasha Harding (Reading Women) wins a free kick in the defensive half.
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Attempt missed. Jordan Nobbs (Arsenal Women) right footed shot from outside the box is close, but misses to the left. Assisted by Frida Maanum.
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Tobin Heath (Arsenal Women) wins a free kick on the left wing.
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Foul by Faye Bryson (Reading Women).
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Tobin Heath (Arsenal Women) wins a free kick in the defensive half.
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Foul by Faye Bryson (Reading Women).
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Corner, Arsenal Women. Conceded by Natasha Harding.
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Attempt missed. Tobin Heath (Arsenal Women) right footed shot from the centre of the box is too high. Assisted by Laura Wienroither.
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Tobin Heath (Arsenal Women) wins a free kick in the defensive half.
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Foul by Sanne Troelsgaard (Reading Women).
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Offside, Arsenal Women. Jordan Nobbs tries a through ball, but Tobin Heath is caught offside.
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Offside, Arsenal Women. Rafaelle tries a through ball, but Jordan Nobbs is caught offside.
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Attempt blocked. Natasha Harding (Reading Women) right footed shot from the centre of the box is blocked. Assisted by Deanne Rose.
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Attempt missed. Laura Wienroither (Arsenal Women) header from the centre of the box is high and wide to the right. Assisted by Tobin Heath with a cross.
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Corner, Arsenal Women. Conceded by Lily Woodham.
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Substitution, Arsenal Women. Jordan Nobbs replaces Vivianne Miedema because of an injury.
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Foul by Frida Maanum (Arsenal Women).
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