Brighton 0-1 Arsenal: Baum shines on debut | OneFootball

Lisa Baum marked her Arsenal debut in spectacular fashion as her first-half strike secured a 0-1 victory over Brighton & Hove Albion in the Gunners’ opening Barclays Women’s Super League fixture of the season.

The 19-year-old summer arrival from RB Leipzig produced the decisive moment after only 10 minutes at Broadfield Stadium, driving through the Brighton defense before firing an unstoppable effort off the underside of the crossbar.

It was not always comfortable for Renée Slegers’ side, who had opportunities to extend their advantage but were also forced to withstand periods of Brighton pressure. Ultimately, though, Arsenal did enough to leave Sussex with three points from a ground where they had failed to win on their previous two WSL visits.

New arrivals handed immediate opportunities

Slegers named four summer signings in her starting XI, with Baum joined by Misa Rodríguez, Ona Batlle and Georgia Stanway. And it was Rodríguez who was required to make the first significant intervention of the afternoon.

Brighton goalkeeper Chiamaka Nnadozie launched a precise ball over Arsenal’s defensive line inside the opening five minutes, releasing Kiko Seike into space. The Japan international managed to escape Batlle and get her shot away, but Rodríguez reacted well to make a low save.

Five minutes later, another Arsenal debutant made an even greater impact.

Baum regained possession inside Brighton territory before driving directly at the home defense. She carried the ball into the penalty area and, rather than looking for a teammate, unleashed a fierce strike towards the near post. Nnadozie had little chance as the ball crashed against the underside of the crossbar and crossed the line.

Ten minutes into her Arsenal career, Baum had her first WSL goal.

A familiar face in unfamiliar colours

While Arsenal’s new arrivals were experiencing their first taste of WSL football in red and white, there was also a particularly familiar figure lining up on the opposite side.

Lia Wälti made her Brighton debut against the club where she spent seven years and established herself as one of the most respected figures of Arsenal’s modern era.

The Swiss midfielder had returned to England this summer following one season with Juventus, but her first competitive assignment in Brighton colours immediately brought her face-to-face with her former club.

Wälti’s connection with Arsenal extends far beyond simply being a former player. Across seven seasons with the Gunners, she became an integral part of the midfield and a hugely popular figure among supporters and teammates alike, leaving behind the status of a genuine club legend when her time in north London came to an end.

Her presence gave the opening-day encounter an additional layer of significance.

Now tasked with helping Brighton compete against the side she represented for so long, Wälti brought experience and composure to Arturo Ruiz’s midfield as the Seagulls attempted to recover from Baum’s early breakthrough.

Arsenal fail to build on early advantage

Arsenal should have doubled their lead almost immediately.

Olivia Smith’s pressure forced Manuela Vanegas into surrendering possession before the Canadian found Alessia Russo in space inside the penalty area. With the goal at her mercy, however, Russo sent her effort over the crossbar.

The England striker was presented with another opportunity later in the half when she broke through one-on-one, but Nnadozie quickly closed down the space and made the save.

Mariona Caldentey also tested the Brighton goalkeeper from the edge of the area as Arsenal searched for the comfort of a second.

Brighton remained a threat themselves, particularly through Seike. The winger’s pace provided Arsenal with a consistent problem on the transition, although Batlle recovered well after being caught out by the early opportunity.

Fran Kirby had one of Brighton’s better chances shortly before the interval. Vanegas knocked a long delivery into her path inside the area, but the former Chelsea forward sent her first-time attempt over Rodríguez’s goal.

Arsenal therefore went into the break ahead, although their failure to capitalise on several promising openings ensured Brighton remained firmly in the contest.

Brighton push for a response

Ruiz’s side emerged for the second half with renewed intent.

Marisa Olislagers was involved in an early opportunity for the hosts, but Rodríguez dealt with the danger as Brighton attempted to force Arsenal onto the back foot.

The visitors gradually regained control of possession, and Baum continued to demonstrate why she had been handed an immediate starting role.

The German youngster worked her way into the penalty area and delivered a dangerous low ball across goal, which Brighton eventually scrambled clear. She later drove forward once again before shooting directly at Nnadozie.

Kim Little also tested the Brighton goalkeeper as Arsenal continued searching for a second goal that would ease the tension.

But Brighton refused to disappear from the contest.

Seike remained their most dangerous attacking outlet and came particularly close when her effort took a deflection off Batlle before travelling narrowly wide.

With Arsenal still protecting only a one-goal advantage, the closing stages became increasingly open.

Gunners hold their nerve

Baum’s impressive debut eventually came to an end when she was replaced by Caitlin Foord, who quickly became involved by sending an attempt over the crossbar.

Brighton continued searching for an equaliser and Charlie Rule threatened from the edge of the penalty area, but her first-time effort cleared the bar.

At the opposite end, Arsenal had another opportunity to finally put the contest beyond the hosts.

Russo released substitute Stina Blackstenius, whose low effort looked destined for the bottom corner until Nnadozie produced another excellent save.

That meant Arsenal had to negotiate six minutes of additional time with their slender advantage intact.

Rather than retreating completely, Slegers’ side looked to control possession and limit Brighton’s opportunities to launch one final attack. They succeeded, seeing out the remaining minutes to secure their first three points of the new campaign.

It was far from a flawless Arsenal performance. The Gunners created enough opportunities to make the afternoon considerably more comfortable and will know they need to be more clinical as the season develops. Brighton, meanwhile, provided enough threat to ensure the result remained uncertain until the final whistle.

But after failing to win on their previous two league visits to Broadfield Stadium, the result was significant.

With London rivals Chelsea dropping points against Aston Villa in their own opening fixture, Arsenal have immediately put three points on the board as they attempt to challenge for a first WSL title in seven years.

And while there will be plenty for Slegers to analyse, the defining image from Arsenal’s opening afternoon belonged to one of her newest players.

Ten minutes into her competitive debut, Baum announced herself to English football in emphatic fashion, and ultimately delivered the moment Arsenal needed to begin their campaign with a victory.