Report: Albion 0 Arsenal 1

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Early goal settles contest at Broadfield Stadium as Arturo Ruiz manages Albion for the first time.

2026-09-06T14:00+01:00

Manuela Vanegas bursts forward for Albion. 📸by Simon Roe.

Arturo Ruiz’s first game in charge ended in a 1-0 defeat to Arsenal in the WSL, but there will be plenty of positives for the new coach to take from the team’s performance.

It looked like it could be a repeat of last time out when the sides faced one another at Broadfield Stadium which ended in a 1-1 draw, as Albion fought hard.

Both sides started well as they kicked-off their new campaign at Broadfield Stadium.

Albion had an early chance as Chiamaka Nnadozie’s brilliant ball over the top of Arsenal’s defence found Kiko Seike who drilled the ball hard and low, but her effort was parried away by goalkeeper Misa Rodriguez.

Kiko Seike had the first chance of the game for Albion. 📸 by Simon Roe.

Arsenal reacted quickly, though, and it wasn’t long until debutant Lisa Baum made a darting run through Albion’s defence before finishing into the roof of the net to give the Gunners the lead.

The early goal certainly gave the visitors confidence and only minutes later Alessia Russo had a wonderful opportunity to double their lead - a low cross from the right found her in the centre of the box, but her attempt flew over the bar.

Albion soon found their rhythm though and started to control more of the possession. Lia Walti’s free-kick in the 24th minute found Caitlin Hayes at the back post but her header flew wide of the target.

Both sides continued to create chances and Albion’s counter-attack found themselves threatening Arsenal’s goal throughout the first half with Seike finding plenty of space on the right wing.

Charlie Rule pushes past Lisa Baum. 📸 Kyle Hemsley

On the half-hour mark Russo found herself with another opportunity in front of goal but this time was denied by the quick thinking of Nnadozie who came off her line to block her shot and prevent the Gunners from doubling their lead.

Albion came out quickly after the break and started to look more comfortable in possession. Marisa Olislagers tested Misa with a good effort from the left in the 46th minute, but the keeper was able to make a good save to deny her effort.

Baum then looked to replicate her earlier goal as she made another solo run through the Albion defence, but her low shot down the centre of Nnadozie's goal didn’t trouble the goalkeeper.

Ruiz’s side showed that they weren’t going to give up without a fight.

Brilliant link up play between Walti and Fran Kirby in midfield eventually saw the ball fizzed out to Seike who, after linking up with Kirby once again, laid the ball off to Charlie Rule on the edge of the box but her effort narrowly missed the top left corner.

The substitutes injected further energy into the Albion attack, but after a well-fought battle it was Arsenal who took the three points at Broadfield.

Albion: Nnadozie, Vanegas, Minami, Symonds (sub: Joramo 68), Haley (Murphy 79), Seike, Walti (Tvedten 79), Kirby, Hayes, Olislagers (Garcia 79), Rule (Peskett 91)