Caitlin Foord marked her full return from injury with two goals in a comfortable victory over Everton to boost Arsenal’s hopes of qualifying for the Champions League.
Everton went down to 10 players in the second half when Aggie Beever-Jones was sent off for a challenge on Lia Walti, who was stretchered off.
Arsenal were already 4-0 up at the break thanks to Foord’s quick double.
Katie McCabe struck from long range and Lotte Wubben-Moy headed in the fourth.
Jonas Eidevall’s side, who sit third in the Women’s Super League (WSL) table, three points clear of Manchester City, showed their ruthless streak in the first half.
It was the second game in a row they have scored four goals and they go into the final two matches of the season knowing European qualification is in their hands.
However, there was concern for key midfielder Walti, who signed a new contract last week, when Beever-Jones was late in a challenge early in the second half and had her yellow card upgraded to a straight red after discussions among the officials.
Everton faced a tall order and were unable to mount a serious comeback, though Katja Snoeijs headed in a late goal as they suffered a second successive defeat, shipping 11 goals in the process.
Arsenal give harsh lesson to Everton
Knowing title challengers and recent FA Cup winners Chelsea are up next for Arsenal, they could not afford to drop points at Everton in the race for Champions League qualification.
They held third spot only on goal difference before Wednesday night, and knew this game in hand would give them an advantage should they pick up all three points.
They had to remain patient in the early stages as Everton controlled possession but did not test goalkeeper Manuela Zinsberger.
But as Everton became increasingly vulnerable when playing out from the back, Arsenal took advantage, Foord guiding Noelle Maritz’s cross into the bottom corner for the opener.
McCabe’s long-range stunner made it 2-0 before Foord quickly added a third, heading in the rebound after goalkeeper Emily Ramsey denied Stina Blackstenius.
Before Everton had chance to regroup, they were 4-0 down thanks to Wubben-Moy’s header from a set-piece.
Brian Sorensen’s side were forced to dig in after Beever-Jones’ sending-off and were rewarded for their endeavour with Snoeijs’ late header, but victory was already Arsenal’s.
It was familiar tale for Everton, who have improved this season under manager Sorensen but still lack goals to add to their fluent possession play.
They will finish the season mid-table, but have been given harsh lessons by the league’s elite in Chelsea and Arsenal this month.
Injuries continue to mount for Arsenal
Arsenal have had a terrible season with injuries, losing several key players to long-term issues, including four anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) knee injuries.
Their injury list includes captain Kim Little, England skipper Leah Williamson and top goalscorers Vivianne Miedema and Beth Mead.
Foord was making her first start since 2 April after returning from an injury at Walton Hall Park, but as Arsenal welcomed one back, they lost another.
Switzerland midfielder Walti, who has featured in 18 of the Gunners’ 20 WSL games this season, received lengthy treatment before having her leg strapped and being stretchered off.
Everton’s Beever-Jones was in tears as she left the pitch following her red-card challenge.
This latest injury blow for Arsenal comes 13 days after defender Laura Wienroither sustained an ACL injury in their Champions League semi-final defeat by Wolfsburg.
That Arsenal are still leading the challenge for third place is testament to their ability to adapt this season, though Walti’s injury could seriously harm the end of their campaign.
Line-ups
Everton Women
Formation 3-4-1-2
- 12Ramsey
- 28HolmgaardBooked at 10minsSubstituted forChristiansenat 73′minutes
- 5Björn
- 23HolmgaardSubstituted forStenevikat 63′minutes
- 14SørensenSubstituted forFinniganat 73′minutes
- 7Wheeler
- 22GalliSubstituted forSeveckeat 45′minutes
- 2VejeSubstituted forHopeat 62′minutes
- 10Bennison
- 15Beever-JonesBooked at 49mins
- 25Snoeijs
Substitutes
- 4Sevecke
- 8Christiansen
- 17Hope
- 18Brosnan
- 20Finnigan
- 21Maier
- 27Stenevik
Arsenal Women
Formation 3-4-2-1
- 1Zinsberger
- 3Wubben-Moy
- 5Beattie
- 2Carvalho SouzaSubstituted forTaylorat 45′minutes
- 16Maritz
- 12Maanum
- 13WältiSubstituted forKühlat 54′minutes
- 15McCabeSubstituted forCatleyat 89′minutes
- 21Pelova
- 19FoordSubstituted forQueiroz Costaat 67′minutes
- 25BlacksteniusSubstituted forGodfreyat 90′minutes
Substitutes
- 7Catley
- 14D’Angelo
- 18Marckese
- 20Queiroz Costa
- 22Kühl
- 27Taylor
- 29Goldie
- 50Doe
- 56Godfrey
Live Text
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Match ends, Everton Women 1, Arsenal Women 4.
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Second Half ends, Everton Women 1, Arsenal Women 4.
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Offside, Arsenal Women. Gio Queiroz tries a through ball, but Jodie Taylor is caught offside.
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Gio Queiroz (Arsenal Women) hits the right post with a right footed shot from the right side of the box. Assisted by Frida Maanum.
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Attempt missed. Freya Godfrey (Arsenal Women) right footed shot from the centre of the box is high and wide to the right.
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Attempt saved. Kathrine Kühl (Arsenal Women) right footed shot from the centre of the box is saved in the bottom left corner.
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Foul by Gio Queiroz (Arsenal Women).
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Elise Stenevik (Everton Women) wins a free kick in the defensive half.
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Substitution, Arsenal Women. Freya Godfrey replaces Stina Blackstenius.
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Substitution, Arsenal Women. Steph Catley replaces Katie McCabe.
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Goal! Everton Women 1, Arsenal Women 4. Katja Snoeijs (Everton Women) header from the centre of the box to the top right corner. Assisted by Elise Stenevik with a cross following a corner.
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Corner, Everton Women. Conceded by Jen Beattie.
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Attempt saved. Kathrine Kühl (Arsenal Women) left footed shot from outside the box is saved in the centre of the goal. Assisted by Victoria Pelova.
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Corner, Arsenal Women. Conceded by Emily Ramsey.
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Attempt saved. Stina Blackstenius (Arsenal Women) right footed shot from the centre of the box is saved in the bottom right corner. Assisted by Jodie Taylor.
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Attempt missed. Frida Maanum (Arsenal Women) right footed shot from outside the box is just a bit too high.
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Attempt blocked. Gio Queiroz (Arsenal Women) left footed shot from the centre of the box is blocked. Assisted by Katie McCabe with a cross.
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Offside, Arsenal Women. Victoria Pelova tries a through ball, but Noëlle Maritz is caught offside.
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Delay over. They are ready to continue.
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Substitution, Everton Women. Megan Finnigan replaces Nicoline Sørensen.