Arsenal leapfrogged Manchester City and went second in the Women's Super League table with a thrilling 4-3 victory over Gareth Taylor's team at the Joie Stadium.

Renee Slegers suffered her first defeat as Arsenal head coach against runaway WSL leaders Chelsea last week, while City were hoping to respond after a chaotic week that saw wantaway winger Chloe Kelly join the Gunners on loan.

Arsenal could hardly have asked for a better start as they went 2-0 up inside eight minutes. Some loose play from Laia Aleixandri allowed Mariona Caldentey to slot home after 42 seconds, then Lotte Wubben-Moy headed in from a deep free-kick.

Mary Fowler's header halved the arrears in the 20th minute, then Arsenal legend Vivianne Miedema drilled home an equaliser against her former club early in the second half.

However, little over a minute later, Frida Maanum raced onto Caldentey's throughball to restore Arsenal's advantage at 3-2.

The twists and turns continued as Fowler levelled the scores again with a 55th-minute penalty, but Stina Blackstenius had the final say when she slotted home from Beth Mead's centre.

The win takes Arsenal second in the table, seven points behind Chelsea, having played an additional game.

City are fourth, two points adrift of both the Gunners and Manchester United, with their hopes of Champions League qualification taking a blow.

BIG THREE POINTS  pic.twitter.com/0TSs3AC9Z3

— Arsenal Women (@ArsenalWFC) February 2, 2025

Data Debrief: Blackstenius maintains City hoodoo

City must be sick of the sight of Blackstenius. She has now scored the winning goal in each of Arsenal's last three victories over the Citizens in the WSL.

This is just the second time Arsenal have scored four goals away at City in the WSL, previously doing so on their very first trip there in August 2014.