A strong final half hour away to Brighton on Wednesday night saw Arsenal Women win 4-0 against the Seagulls to reach the Subway (previously Conti) Cup semi-finals.

Here are three things we learned as Renée Slegers side continued their winning run.

Seagulls swarmed by Second Half FC

Arsenal have scored nine goals in their first two games of 2025, with eight of those coming after the 63rd minute. Crystal Palace and Brighton both caused the Gunners problems for large parts of their encounters but were ultimately worn down by goals in quick succession.

Slegers’ side have developed an ability to strike while the iron is hot, recognising times in games in which to rapidly take the scoreline away from the opposition.  Three goals in five minutes on Wednesday night came just as fans were starting to wonder how Arsenal could break the deadlock, and with 20 minutes to go it was game over.

Slegers said after full-time: “What we did well in the first half was solving what we needed to do, especially in the press. We get the solution right and we get the information out and we solve it on the pitch. 

“That helps us in the second half and the players coming on in the second half change things and we change a couple of things. But we also break them down in the first half because they hardly create anything and the work the girls do in the first half makes the players coming on in the second half decide the game for us.”

Mariona Arsenal’s super sub in the Sub Cup

Mariona Caldentey is the definition of a player who takes games by the scruff of the neck. Introduced in the 57th minute, Mariona assisted two of Arsenal’s quickfire three goals and then netted herself with seven minutes remaining.

The versatile Spaniard kept her cool to square the ball selflessly for Frida Maanum, and beat her marker easily to set up Kyra Cooney-Cross’ piledriver. She deserved a goal, and took her opportunity brilliantly to lob the hapless Melina Loeck from the edge of the area.

“She is a very intelligent player,” Slegers told the Gooner Fanzine. “We spoke about spaces in attack and playing to other player’s strengths and using the players around her and that was basically it. 

“The final message was to go on and bring the energy and make the impact and that is what she did. We just said a few key bits but she is so intelligent, she creates so many good situations on the pitch.”

A changed side does well but Arsenal’s regulars make the difference

Slegers introduced Manu Zinsberger in goal, Laia Codina and Lotte Wubben-Moy at centre-back and young Katie Reid at right-back. Rosa Kafaji was given the nod on the left wing for a rare start.

Despite a clean sheet, Arsenal’s centre-back pairing did not quite instill the calm offered by first-choices under Slegers, Leah Williamson and Steph Catley, neither Codina or Wubben-Moy really staking a claim to be starting against Chelsea on Sunday.

A lack of game time since her summer arrival has meant Kafaji is still getting used to her role in attack, but was lively on the left side, with many of Arsenal’s chances coming through her in the first half. 

The Swede remains quite a raw player, but her willingness to take defenders on and constantly show for the ball means you can never take your eye off her. 

So it’s not a criticism of those who came into the side, but Arsenal’s regular starters were ultimately the difference-makers.