A pair of second-half goals and a performance high on endeavour, effort and organisation saw them through in relative comfort.

The result ranks alongside a 2-1 win at Chelsea in the WSL five years ago among the greatest in the club’s history.

Madison Haley opened the scoring on 48 minutes with a brilliant finish and Caitlin Hayes added a towering header from a corner 15 minutes later.

Fran Kirby created both chances and her clever forward play always asked the Gunners questions.

The win also owed much to a half-time tactical switch by head coach Dario Vidosic after he had been disappointed to see his side’s bright start fade as they struggled with a bobbly pitch.

Albion created all the early danger.

Jelena Cankovic had a searing drive from outside the box tipped over by the leaping Daphne van Domselaar.

From the corner, Haley’s header and Charlie Rule’s shot were both blocked right in front of goal.

Arsenal were generally well contained but they should have gone ahead just after the half-hour.

Chiamaka Nnadozie made a superb point-blank block from...