Arsenal thrash Liverpool 4-0 to close the gap on WSL leaders Chelsea… as Reds defender scores TWO own goals

The drawbridge was up, and the doors were locked. Here in North London the pitches gleamed and Fortress Emirates stood firm.

After a tough week that saw Renee Slegers’ side concede two goals in the first leg of their highly anticipated Champions League quarter-final against Real Madrid on a pitch condemned as ‘disgraceful’ by Ian Wright, this result will come as a welcome relief.

Liverpool, a team on the rise under interim manager Amber Whiteley, travelled to the capital where they have had so much success in the top-flight this season.

But, as many teams have learned the hard way, facing a fired-up Arsenal in front of their vivacious home crowd is no easy feat.

The Gunners had lost just one of their last 11 WSL matches at this stadium, and tonight, they became the first team to score four or more goals in six consecutive league home games.

More importantly, they have pulled themselves up to second in the table, five points behind Chelsea and ready and waiting for Sonia Bompastor’s side to slip.

Caitlin Foord opened the scoeing from close-range after 26 minutes at the Emirates

Liverpool centre back Jasmine Matthews found the back of her own net twice

‘We believe that we can push and shake but then we don’t know what Chelsea are going to do, that’s outside of our control,’ said a defiant Slegers after the match, adding: ‘We are ready if anyone slips that we want to take that chance.’

Commenting on the much-improved Emirates turf, Slegers said: ‘The pitch is important for us because of the way that we play. If we want to get maximum reward for all the hard work and we want to get maximum opportunity to perform then, of course it’s good to have the best facilities possible, and that’s what we have here at the Emirates.’

Chloe Kelly, making her third start for Arsenal, was full of energy from the first whistle. She was the first to take a shot, but her effort flew wide as she struggled to find her rhythm.

Kelly came close to setting up Alessia Russo moments later but the England striker was unable to force the angle, and ended up skimming the side-netting.

Seven shots at Laws’ goal later, Arsenal’s persistence finally paid off just before the half-hour mark.

Kelly’s corner, whipped into the box, deflected off several players before landing at Caitlin Foord’s feet, and she made no mistake, poking the ball home from close range.

Just before half-time, Mariona Caldentey added a third with a magnificent strike

Renee Slegers’ Arsenal became the first team to score four or more goals in six consecutive league home games

Arsenal fans were still celebrating when Kim Little dashed into the box a minute and a half later, sending a cross into the retreating Liverpool defence. The ball struck an unfortunate Jasmine Matthews and ricocheted into her own net.

Liverpool may have a claim for a foul in the build-up, but with no VAR to back them up, play continued.

Just before half-time, Mariona Caldentey added a third, curling a magnificent strike from the edge of the area into the top corner before Beth Mead helped make it four after the restart, her shot deflecting off Matthews to secure the centre-back’s second own goal of the night.

Now the focus shifts to Wednesday and their rematch with Real Madrid. With a commanding win in the bag – and a slick pitch beneath their feet – Arsenal’s fans can dare to dream.