Three Things We Learned as Arsenal Women beat Spurs 1-0 in the North London Derby ahead of the Conti Cup Semi Final with Aston Villa.

This team is better with Kim Little in it

The ball to Beth Mead, before Mead goes on to assist Allesia Russo for the winner is an example of what she does for this team.

She can be the spark going forward at times, as well as being the chief organiser. Simply put, she’s an incredible footballer. We have struggled to get past low blocks this season and I think Kim’s football intelligence can be the reason we unlock them going forward.

You have to credit Russo’s sharp movement in the box and Mead’s direct play for the goal too.

I also thought Wubben-Moy had another really strong performance. She’s been so important for the team this season without Leah Williamson.

Also, it was a lovely moment for Leah come back from injury in the second half to play at a sold-out Emirates for the first time. 

This was not our best performance, but it’s one to build on

As well as breaking down low blocks, we will also have to contend with a slight inability to rotate in the next few weeks due to injuries, although the schedule isn’t too bad.

I think this team is hungry to go on a winning streak now. I’m not saying it will definitely happen, but there’s the possibility of reaching a cup final to play for in the next game, so now is as good a time as any to start.

What I think Kim Little alluded to after the game, although she didn’t say it specifically, was that it’s the results that count. We haven’t been playing our best recently, so the team needs to find a way to win when they’re not at their best.

It’s what Cheslea women have done for years and it’s what City have been doing this season. 

The North London Derby rivalry is heating up

I was really impressed by the atmosphere and struck by how passionate the fans were. Obviously, it’s an NLD so I wasn’t surprised as such, but I was really impressed with how loud the fans were and how much they got behind the team.

Historically, the women’s team has been much better than Spurs, but this season it has been tighter, so maybe at least part of the atmosphere comes from the fans knowing that the players need us.

Russo also mentioned this after the game, saying ‘we needed them today and they were with us from the first minute until the last.’ Well done, Gooners.