A rejuvenated Arsenal recorded a fifth win from six games without defeat under interim head coach Renée Slegers as they won surprisingly easily at neighbors Tottenham in a disappointingly one-sided derby in north London.

It took just under 64 seconds for Arsenal to take the lead, with England striker Alessia Russo emphatically curling in a first-time strike with her left foot before Tottenham had barely had a chance to touch the ball, then leading a neat passing move as the Norwegian midfielder Frida Maanum given too much time and space in the penalty area to stroke the ball low into the bottom corner for Arsenal’s second in the 22nd minute, the match felt as good as over.

Only a fingertip save from Dutch goalkeeper Daphne van Domselaar prevented Bethany England from pulling a goal back for Tottenham shortly before half-time as she steered a surging attack towards goal, but the steady flow of Arsenal traffic did not really slow and they resumed. their dominance after the break.

The away side appear to have found a good balance in their team, especially with Australian defender Steph Catley deployed as a left-footed centre-back alongside England captain Leah Williamson, rather than as a left-back, and their 4-2 The -3-1 formation seemed to get the best out of Russo, who held the ball up with power and had enthusiastic runners on either side.

When Russo was taken off before half-time, Arsenal substitute Stina Blackstenius clicked a first-time effort onto the top of the crossbar after a cut-back from Katie McCabe, moments before scoring the visitors’ third goal. Played aside by a weak Tottenham backline, the Swedish centre-forward tucked the ball comfortably past a powerless Becky Spencer, much to the delight of the huddled section of away fans in a corner of the bottom tier.

The defeat was Tottenham’s fifth in their last six games and their head coach Robert Vilahamn cut a somber figure as this rather flat-feeling derby drew to a close, in total contrast to the euphoric scenes this stadium had witnessed when his team defeated Arsenal last season defeated. for the first time in the WSL.