'The players executed the gameplan perfectly.' – Brighton’s Vidosic reacts to FA Cup quarter-final triumph over Arsenal

A stunning strike across goal from the American forward and looping Hayes header earned the Seagulls a deserved 2-0 victory at Meadow Park.

The visitors impressed from start to finish, putting the Gunners under early pressure in both halves, showing composure in possession, and holding a high line to catch Arsenal striker Stina Blackstenius offside often. 

While the Seagulls failed to open the scoring in the first half, they certainly were not lacking in opportunities. Arsenal goalkeeper Daphne Van Domselaar produced a leaping save to deny a strike from Jelena Čanković before an effort from Brighton’s Charlie Rule was blocked by captain Kim Little. 

Brighton ensured they were to have their rewards when Haley burst past Arsenal centre-back Laia Codina and fired her effort into the top far corner in the 48th minute. 

Brighton later doubled their advantage when Hayes rose highest from a Fran Kirby corner-kick and sent her looping header past a diving van-Domselaar.

Not long after the centre-back’s 63rd-minute conversion did Kirby come agonisingly close to adding a goal to her two assists, with the midfielder sliding in but failing to connect with a ball across goal from Carla Camacho. 

While the Gunners grew into both halves at Meadow Park, they mostly failed to sustain their attacks as rushed play and inaccurate long balls — employed as Brighton cut off their passing lanes — were easily dealt with by the towering and determined Albion defence. 

 The best chance for the Gunners to convert fell to lively right-back Smilla Holmberg on the half hour mark. The Swede directed a pin-point cross from Chloe Kelly toward goal but Chiamaka Nnadozie showed superb reflexes to deny the half-volley with her left boot.

While second-half introductions of wingers Olivia Smith, Caitlin Foord and in-form striker Alessia Russo did not provide the immediate joy intended by Arsenal head coach Renée Slegers, the Gunners did threaten to find a reply in the closing stages.

Nnadozie again kept the hosts at bay as she pushed away a strike from Arsenal centre-back Laia Codina before a Katie McCabe stoppage-time freekick angled inches wide of the left post on her 300th Arsenal appearance.

The 2-0 victory sees Brighton knock out the 14-time FA Cup winners and clinch a spot in the semi-finals, with the ties due to be played on Sunday, 10 May. 

Head coach Dario Vidošić praised his side’s impressive display: “It’s a fantastic performance and a fantastic result.

“I think for the first 20 minutes we played really well in their half with shortening the passes, creating a few chances and maybe we were unlucky not to be ahead.

“We spoke at half time about keeping the belief and fixed up a couple of things, and then we came out in the second half and got the goals we deserved.”

On limiting the Gunners to just three shots on target: “We know the spaces they want to play in (the half-spaces). I think it’s fairly similar to what we want to do and how we like to attack so we practice those scenarios weekly in training.

“We know sometimes Mariona (Caldentey) will come across so they can overload you on a certain side so we spoke about when that happens making sure we don’t jump and stay inside,” said Vidošić.

“They want to drag us out to get those half-space runners and if you get Russo or (Stina) Blackstenius inside and they’re one-on-one turning, that’s when it gets very dangerous.

“We spoke about all these things and I think the players executed the gameplan perfectly. There wasn’t too much that we gave away – a few occasions potentially but when you play against the quality of Arsenal it’s very hard to be absolutely perfect for 90 minutes.”

Adobe Women’s FA Cup Player of the Match Kirby also said on whether remaining composed was the message: “We spoke about it a lot, just making sure that we’re picking the right options.

“We’re not rushing everything in those moments and instead finding the next pass, playing one, two touch around the box.

“But look, I also think we defended really well. The girls were putting their bodies in front of the ball as much as they could and really nullifying Arsenal in terms of the clear-cut chances.”

On Kirby’s hopes of returning to Wembley for the FA Cup Final: “I always say to the girls that going to the FA Cup Final and playing at Wembley is one of the best days of your life. 

“From the minute you wake up to the minute the day is over it’s just so special and it’s something that I want to experience again as a player. It has been a while now so hopefully we can go one step further.”

The FA Cup semi-final draw takes place on Monday, April 6 on TNT Sports 1 ahead of Birmingham City’s quarter-final against Manchester City.