Arsenal lose 2-0 to Brighton in Women’s FA Cup quarter-final

Arsenal lost 2-0 to Brighton & Hove Albion in the Women’s FA Cup quarter-final at Meadow Park on Sunday afternoon, exiting at the quarter-final stage for the second consecutive season.

Following their frenetic 1-0 loss to Chelsea in the Women’s Champions League on Wednesday, Arsenal started slowly.

Jelena Cankovic was the first to aim at the Arsenal goal, driving forward before firing a shot at goalkeeper Daphne van Domselaar, who parried the effort behind.

From the resulting corner, the ball dropped to Charlie Rule, whose two quick efforts were blocked on the line.

Arsenal grew into the contest and registered their first attempt when Stina Blackstenius failed to connect cleanly with Beth Mead’s free-kick and headed wide of the post.

Brighton goalkeeper Chiamaka Nnadozie made a brilliant save to deny Smilla Holmberg from meeting Chloe Kelly’s cross.

Blackstenius came close to putting Arsenal ahead as she flashed a shot across goal, but it narrowly missed the far bottom corner.

Madison Haley gave Brighton the lead in the 48th minute, racing onto Fran Kirby’s through ball, before smashing into the top corner.

Kirby was the architect of the visitors’ second goal, as Caitlin Hayes rose highest to head her cross over Van Domselaar and into the net.

Nnadozie produced a brilliant save to deny Laia Codina from reducing Arsenal’s deficit.

Alessia Russo then saw another opportunity go begging as she received a pass from Emily Fox, but she could only smash it over.

Katie McCabe was the next to threaten, curling wide from a promising position, epitomising Arsenal’s struggles in front of goal in the contest.

Arsenal appealed for a penalty before full-time when Maelys Mpome brought down Russo, but nothing was given.

Arsenal are not until action until April 25 when they host Lyon in the Women’s Champions League semi-final first leg.

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