A set-piece header from a centre-back and a late striker’s finish. That was the simple, effective blueprint as Arsenal Women saw off London City Lionesses 2-0 at home to reach the Adobe Women’s FA Cup quarter-finals. Laia Codina rose to meet a pinpoint delivery from Kyra Cooney-Cross in the first half, and Stina Blackstenius wrapped it up near the end. Job done, no fuss, and the cup run moves on.
Arsenal in control from the start
The pattern was clear early. Arsenal pinned the visitors deep, kept the ball moving, and forced London City to defend long spells without much relief. The hosts didn’t rush it. They passed, probed, and waited for gaps to appear as the Championship side tried to keep a compact block and narrow the space between the lines.
The breakthrough came from the kind of moment cup favourites rely on when patience meets precision. Cooney-Cross, calm on the ball all afternoon, delivered with accuracy, and Codina attacked the flight with perfect timing. The header was firm and well-placed. It settled nerves, set the tone, and made the rest of the match feel like a controlled exercise in game management.
With the lead secured, Arsenal kept the tempo steady but purposeful. Their rotation in midfield pulled London City side to side. Runners from deep broke the line, and the wide players stretched the back four. The Lionesses had to choose between protecting the centre or tracking the overlap. Either way, Arsenal found room to threaten, even if the final pass didn’t always land.
London City weren’t passengers. They had flashes on the break, especially when they could spring forward quickly after turnovers. They tried early passes into the channels, looking to test the space behind Arsenal’s back line. The hosts’ defence, though, stood up to the few moments of danger with clean interceptions and no-nonsense clearances. When the ball did drop in the box, Arsenal bodies got there first.
The second goal felt like it was coming and, late on, Blackstenius made sure the score matched the flow. The Swedish forward timed her movement well, stayed sharp in the area, and finished with the kind of calm you expect from a striker who reads the game quickly. It was the cushion Arsenal’s dominance deserved and the final nudge that allowed them to ease through the final minutes.
Tactics, standouts, and what it means next
This was a classic cup tie between sides from different tiers: one trying to set the rhythm, the other trying to disrupt it. Arsenal kept their shape tight in build-up, usually with a midfielder dropping to link play and full-backs ready to push on. That gave them short options to play out and wide angles to switch the point of attack. When London City closed the centre, Arsenal went around them; when they guarded the flanks, Arsenal punched through with quick one-twos.
Cooney-Cross set the tone in midfield. Her deliveries carried weight in both senses—she controlled tempo and produced the decisive assist. Codina, beyond the goal, marshalled the back line with calm. She won key duels and made the right choices under pressure. Blackstenius gave London City’s defenders a constant decision: follow her into pockets or hold the line and risk the run in behind. Pick your poison.
Set pieces separated the sides early, and that’s no accident. Arsenal’s work on restarts showed: blocks, timing, and a clean target zone. In matches where the opponent defends deep and limits open-play space, set pieces become a reliable route. You saw the training-ground detail in the way Codina got a clean run and the delivery hit the right area, not just the right player.
Game management mattered too. After taking the lead, Arsenal didn’t overcommit. They respected transition moments, kept a spare player behind the ball, and used simple passes to take the sting out of any London City surge. Fouls in smart areas, quick restarts, and steady possession – it was professional control rather than high drama.
Credit to London City for sticking in. Their keeper stayed busy and brave, and the team’s shape held up under long pressure. This type of match gives a Championship side a clear read on where they stand physically and tactically. The jump in speed, decision-making, and set-piece detail is the real test. They met it with grit even if they couldn’t land a punch at the other end.
For Arsenal, this win isn’t about style points. It’s about rhythm, minutes, and momentum during a crowded stretch. The squad looked balanced even with changes, which is exactly what you want when chasing trophies in more than one competition. Players stepped in, did their jobs, and kept the standard high. That’s how cup runs survive injuries, fatigue, and tricky draws.
What’s next? The quarter-finals. The draw will shape the path, but the bigger picture is clear: Arsenal are in the mix and building habits that travel well—clean sheets, set-piece strength, and control of key phases. If that holds, they’ll back themselves against anyone they face.
- Laia Codina’s header from a Kyra Cooney-Cross delivery opened the scoring.
- Stina Blackstenius finished late to seal the 2-0 win.
- Arsenal controlled territory, tempo, and the key moments.
- London City showed resilience but couldn’t break through.
- Quarter-final place booked as the hunt for silverware continues.
Results like this don’t make headlines for shock value. They matter because they keep a good side on schedule—another clean performance, another knockout step, and another reminder that this squad can rotate and still look sure of itself. The next round will be tougher. That’s fine. Arsenal look ready for it.
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