Arsenal started their Women's Super League campaign in style on Friday evening by beating Brighton 4-0 in front of a sell-out crowd at Meadow Park.
The Seagulls were reduced to 10 players in just the seventh minute when Emma Kullberg was sent off, allowing Jonas Eidevall's side to dominate the game and comfortably secure the win with goals from Kim Little, Stina Blackstenius and a brace form Beth Mead.
Every ticket was snapped up for Friday's game, as it was the first WSL fixture to be played since England won the Euros at Wembley in July. Arsenal fans expected Lionesses Leah Williamson and Mead to lead them to victory - and they weren't disappointed.
The Gunners made a perfect start to the evening when Brighton defender Kullberg caught Blackstenius' heels as she raced through on goal. Referee Lisa Benn was left with no choice but to dismiss Kullberg.
After that, the hosts controlled the game. They should've opened the scoring through Caitlin Foord, but she dragged her shot wide of the post. The Australia international had another opportunity seconds later but failed to beat goalkeeper Megan Walsh.
Arsenal had 18 shots in the first half and it's remarkable to think only one of those found the net. That goal came in the 28th minute when the influential Foord got in behind the visiting defence and found Arsenal skipper Little in the box for a convincing finish.
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The Gunners started the second half as they finished the first, hitting the woodwork within seconds of the restart. Yet Brighton hit back moment later when substitute Kate Robinson forced goalkeeper Manuela Zinsberger into a smart save with a low drive.
Arsenal reacted to Robinson's effort by going straight up the other end of the pitch and doubling their advantage. Blackstenius was the scorer on this occasion, finding the net with a clinical finish after a lovely move involving Mead, who provided the assist.
Mead, who was named as the Player of the Tournament at the Euros, was the next Arsenal star to score. It was the result of another pleasant move by the favourites, as Vivianne Miedema set up the England international for a simple finish.
With Arsenal 3-0 up after 63 minutes, the only question was how many goals they would end up with. Mead returned the favour for Miedema soon after, chipping the ball over Walsh for the Dutch forward to tap in. The offside flag, however, was raised.
England midfielder Jordan Nobbs hit the bar late on before Mead completed her brace, hammering a loose ball into a welcoming net. Thankfully for Brighton, the scoring stopped there.
Gunners boss Eidevall will be hoping for a similar result when his team host Ajax in the Champions League on Tuesday. Arsenal's next WSL game is against Tottenham at the Emirates next Saturday, with a record attendance of more than 40,000 expected.
