Arsenal opened their 2020/21 Women's Super League with a 6-1 victory against Reading at Meadow Park on Sunday.

Joe Montemurro's Gunners start their season with three points and carry on their unbeaten record against the Royals in league fixtures, having never lost a WSL game against Reading.

It may have been 3rd vs 5th from last season but Arsenal showed why that they are a cut above many sides in this league.

The match

Reading adopted a high press from the game's onset, pushing Arsenal's back-three deep into their own half when they were on the back foot and providing attacking opportunities for the Royals.

Arsenal set up in a way that negated the effects of the physicality usually displayed by Kelly Chambers' Reading. Normally a centre-back, Leah Williamson moved into the midfield alongside Jill Roord and Lia Walti to break up the middle of the pitch, with three at the back instead of the usual four.

The Gunners opened the scoring in the sixteenth minute with Scottish midfielder making it look easy with a fine finish inside of the box. Leah Williamson found the ball at her feet 35-yards out after Reading failed to clear their lines. The 23-year-old floated in a lofted pass over the top of the Arsenal defence which was met by the right-foot of Kim Little inside of the box who effortlessly curled the ball into the back of the net on the volley.

It did not take long for last year's top scorer Vivianne Miedema to start this season's goalscoring tally and she added the game's second in the 32nd minute. A long ball from Steph Catley found Jordan Nobbs on the left-hand side of the pitch on the counter. Reading's high press left them vulnerable on the inside and the Dutch forward found herself free behind the defence. Nobbs played a pass to the on-running Miedema who comfortably rounded Grace Maloney before making it two.

After the first goal, Reading's confidence immediately dropped and the Royals lacked their clinical edge, opening the floodgates for Arsenal. Jill Roord played a short pass from the Beth Mead on the wing, Mead ran at the defence while Roord was unmarked and drifted into space on the edge of the box. The English winger played the ball inside and Roord rolled a shot into the near post to extend Arsenal's lead to three goals.

Second half

It was another combination from Jill Roord that earned Arsenal their fourth goal of the game. Beth Mead played the ball into Roord on the edge of the box, who played a cushioned pass down to Kim Little who sliced the ball across the box for the Netherlands international to get her second of the game.

Miedema should have made it five shortly after. In space outside of the box, she rounded the goalkeeper but her initial effort was blocked by a defender before the rebound hit the bar.

The WSL golden boot holder got her second in the 78th minute, however. After Caitlin Foord dribbled through two defenders on the left, she played a pass inside to Miedema who let fly from 35 yards out, her shot soared into the top-right corner, smashing the underside of the bar on the way in.

Jill Roord got her hat-trick just a few minutes later. A perfect team goal, Miedema turned on the edge of the ball and passed to Caitlin Foord who looked as if she was about to shoot, but instead she played the ball to Roord who found herself unmarked in front of the goalkeeper and made it six.

Ex-gunner Danielle Carter netted a consolation goal in the 89th minute, pouncing on an error from Manuela Zinsberger who took too long with the ball at her feet to comfortably tap the ball into the back of the net.

Takeaways

Arsenal clinical in front of goal

It was a brilliant day for Arsenal today, and they showed why they should not be counted out from the race for this year's league title.

Much of the focus has been on Manchester City and Chelsea given their activity in the transfer window, but the gunners have proven that they are a force to be reckoned with, especially going forwards.

Unlike what has been displayed by City in their recent games, Arsenal took advantage of all of the opportunities which were handed to them today and it allowed them to score six.

Roord's interplay a positive

Dutch midfielder Jill Roord was incredible today and was rewarded with a hat-trick for her efforts.

She often managed to find a way to rid herself of any defenders, working closely with both wingers to earn goalscoring opportunities.

Roord was arguably the player of the match after what was an impressive performance from the whole Arsenal side today.