Olivia Smith’s superb 17th-minute solo effort proved enough to help Arsenal down Women’s Super League leaders Manchester City.
City arrived in the capital on a 13-match winning streak in the division, but a brilliant finish by Smith early on put Andree Jeglertz’s team on the back foot.
With WSL leading scorer Khadija Shaw well marshalled all game, Renee Slegers watched Arsenal hold on for a vital 1-0 victory in a boost to their Champions League qualification hopes.
Barely a minute had been played when Vivianne Miedema fired wide from range against her old club, but Arsenal soon settled in front of 39,155 spectators.
Not long after a dangerous Caitlin Foord cross failed to bring reward, the hosts went ahead in wonderful fashion through Smith.
Mariona Caldentey played the ball over the top of City’s defence and Smith raced away before she rounded Ayaka Yamashita to score her seventh goal of the club in the 19th minute.
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Shaw tested Daphne van Domselaar before half-time, but City boss Jeglertz had seen enough and introduced Sam Coffey.
City were left incensed early into the second period when Lauren Hemp went down after contact by Arsenal defender Emily Fox by the penalty area.
Referee Abigail Byrne waved away appeals before Miedema had the ball in the net, but the leveller was ruled out for a foul on Katie McCabe.
Even though City pushed to extend their 18-match unbeaten run, the best they could manage was an off-target header by Shaw as they lost for only the second time in the WSL this season.
