A late goal from Iman Beney saw the hosts take the lead in the 88th minute, holding on through six minutes of added time to seal the win.
Before Beney’s winner, City’s attacking output had been defined by the combination of Kerstin Casparij and Khadija Shaw.
The former set up the latter for the first goal before scoring one herself in the second half.
“I think it was quite nerve-racking for us,” Casparij said. “We struggled a little bit in the first half and scored a great goal. It went up and down. I think it was a very fun game to watch.
“I think we’re getting a lot of freedom in our system and it’s amazing to have such amazing players for us like Iman (Beney), so it gives me a lot of opportunities to go forward and to help in attack. It’s going great.”
A win for City was vital to make ground on Chelsea after the Blues’ 1-1 draw with Manchester United yesterday, and the win also sees them leapfrog their city rivals in the table.
It is a fifth win in a row for Andree Jeglertz’s side, who has his team humming and playing with “freedom” so far this season.
“Enjoy,” Casparij added. “That’s the big thing. He wants to give us freedom for a reason. I think all the attacking players that we have play on instinct and aren’t necessarily the best when they have to stay in certain positions and not move freely, so I think with the players that we have, having the freedom and the trust is what’s clicking at the minute. I’m happy with it.
“Of course, we are pushing to win the league, but it’s still early days. Let’s not get ahead of ourselves.”
Shaw opened the scoring for City at the Joie Stadium, meeting a brilliant cross from Casparij and heading past Daphne van Domselaar.
After going into the break a goal behind, Arsenal made the perfect start to the second period as Mariona Caldentey levelled.
Casparij and Shaw were once again involved as the former put City back in front. Shaw’s header was parried by Van Domselaar only for a scramble in the box to see the ball flick off Casparij and into the net.
The back and forth game reached its crescendo, and who else but Chloe Kelly equalised in the 83rd minute.
It was a stunning strike, gently laid off to her by Stina Blackstenius, and the former Citizen quickly cut inside and rifled a shot into the top right corner.
With the game inching towards the 90th minute, City found their winner as Beney scored her first goal for the club.
Shaw’s pass was initially a poor one, but it found its way to Beney nonetheless, and she calmly slotted past Van Domselaar.
“To score against Arsenal in the last minute, the winning goal is something special,” Beney said.
“It’s the job of all the team, so I’m grateful.”
