WSL: Russo & Mead score twice as Arsenal put five past Bristol City

Bristol City forward Rachel Furness, speaking to Sky Sports: "I think being open and honest, it wasn't good enough. It wasn't good enough individually, it wasn't good enough collectively. You come to a place like this, a team as good as Arsenal, you need to keep the game plan and be on it from minute one and we weren't that. A very disappointing night for us personally."

On what difference going behind early in the game makes: "It is very hard. We're up against a very good side and we had very limited chances ourselves. I think it then comes down to being hard to beat and trying to limit the scoreline and having a bit of pride about ourselves but Arsenal are a good side."

On how hard things are behind the scenes: "It's hard every day, it's very difficult. I'm coming back from being out injured and I've only just got back on the training pitch. We're very lucky we do have a positive group and a positive group of staff as well. We're trying our best with a very young squad and we know at times we've been very close but we are coming up short and know the games are running out. We've just got to fight as much as we can and get as much as we can out of the rest of the season."

On the importance of her experience: "I work with the girls every day. I have been out injured but I've still been around, just trying to use my experience. The girls work very hard and we're maybe not getting our rewards for the hard work but we've got to take what we can from today. We've got to make a new game plan and try our best to get something out of it."

Arsenal boss Jonas Eidevall speaking to Sky Sports: "It was a very dominant display. I thought we were very good on the ball. We were compact as a team when we were pressing and allowed very few chances to Bristol. It was nice to see us scoring a couple of goals and being able to see Laura Wienroither return to play and Katie Reid get a debut in the WSL."

On the crowd reaction to those two moments: "You could see everyone was feeling for them, it was very well deserved for both of them for various reasons. It was nice to see them integrated in the team."

On Beth Mead: "One of Beth’s qualities is she is lightning fast with her reactions, she is so instinctively good in and around the goal. She has a real natural good instinct and when she plays at her best she looks lightning fast in the penalty box and I think she looked like that today.

"Today it was probably a fair reflection of the game to score five goals. Also important to keep a clean sheet. We have started to keep a lot of clean sheets and that is very nice to see. It helps when you want to win football matches so that is always a strong ambition of ours."

Bristol City boss Lauren Smith speaking to Sky Sports: "We didn’t get our foothold in the game which is something we’ve been chasing for a long time. I’ve got to give credit to Arsenal for this whole game today. They didn’t let up, they were clinical in everything they did, it was hard to defend, it was hard to get near. Fair play. They are very experienced and we weren’t good enough today."

On if it was damage limitations: "Within the first half the game had gone. We knew it was going to be difficult to get one, never mind three or four."

On if things can change: "I will try every moment, the players will try every moment. Do I know the answer? Not yet. We will have to wait and see next week if we can do something."

On Rachel Furness: "When Rachel Furness stepped on today you can see the attitude and desire and her character. We have missed that. It’s great for her to be able to get 30 minutes."

I didn't think she was going to get the plaudits, I thought someone else was going to get Player of the Match but I think she thoroughly deserved it tonight. I think she was fantastic.

The only thing missing from her tonight was a goal which she nearly got in the first half.

Arsenal captain Kim Little speaking to Sky Sports: "We took control quite early on and we dominated the ball. Overall our quality was really good. We could have scored more goals but we can be pleased with the performance.

"This year we’ve had the strongest depth we’ve had in the squad. When we bring on the substitutes they come on and make sure we dominate the same at the end of the game. That says a lot about the team."

On Jonas Eidevall's touchline ban: "I don’t notice it because I’m quite central. It was all smooth, he was there in the changing rooms and out assistant took control when needed. We took control on the pitch as players."

On Laura Wienroither's return: "So pleased for Laura, I’m so proud of her. She’s had a long journey going through her ACL recovery and finally got back on the pitch for us tonight which is incredible. Also Katie Reid one of our young players making her debut. It’s good to get into a place where we can give those opportunities to those people."

Arsenal remain third in the table after their win over Bristol City.

They are now nine points clear of Manchester United in fourth.

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A 5-0 win with great goals from Beth Mead (2) and Alessia Russo (2), a return to WSL action for Laura Wienroither and a debut for 17-year-old Katie Reid.

The fans at Meadow Park have seen a superb Arsenal performance tonight.

Kim Little was sensational in midfield for Arsenal tonight.

The captain had a passing accuracy of 99.2%.

129 out of 130 passes completed.

What a player.

Arsenal boost their goal difference and make it eight home wins in a row against relegation-threatened Bristol City at Meadow Park.

The Arsenal faithful are chanting for an Alessia Russo hat-trick.

There is still time.

Four added minutes to end the match.

Katie Reid plays a superb pass into the path of Stina Blackstenius who shoots straight at Fran Bentley.

What an impact that would have been for the youngster.

Katie Reid, makes her Arsenal debut at the young age of 17.

She replaces Leah Williamson who is beaming to see a fellow academy graduate taking to the field.

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She was just trying to dink it into the far corner. Her first touch is brilliant. It's the right idea, just wide. It's a a real good effort from Alessia Russo.

Arsenal make another change and this is a big one.

Laura Wienroither makes her first WSL appearance for a year, returning from an anterior cruciate ligament injury.

She replaces Emily Fox.

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So close to Alessia Russo getting her hat-trick.

She tries to dink it into the far corner and it is just wide.

Beth Mead was taken off before she could get her hat-trick.

Can Alessia Russo get hers?

She has 10 minutes plus stoppage time to do so.

Former Arsenal player Lisa Evans is replaced by Mari Ward as Bristol City make their fourth change of the game.

The score line now reflects Arsenal's dominance in the game.

A great win for the Gunners who narrowly beat Bristol City 2-1 in the first WSL meeting between the two sides earlier this season.

ReutersCopyright: Reuters