Arsenal produced a statement victory to ensure their Women’s Super League title challenge is not over at the expense of Manchester United, whose Champions League qualifying hopes were seriously harmed.

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United were taken apart defensively, conceding an own goal within 10 minutes when Katie McCabe’s corner deflected off Geyse from close range.

It got worse for Marc Skinner’s side, who now sit seven points behind Arsenal, when Katie Zelem’s scooped clearance fell to the unmarked Cloe Lacasse and she headed it into an open net.

Arsenal rounded off a breathtaking first half with a penalty from Kim Little after defender Gemma Evans brought down Beth Mead, and United only mustered a late consolation through Lucia Garcia in stoppage time.

The hosts could have extended their lead when Mead struck the post twice in the second half for Arsenal – with one of her efforts taking a heavy deflection off defender Maya Le Tissier.

Defeat increases pressure on United boss Skinner, who has faced a backlash from the team’s own supporters in recent months. That is unlikely to diminish with his side on course to finish outside the three Champions League qualification spots for next season.

• Reaction to Arsenal’s victory over Man Utd at Emirates Stadium

United punished as Arsenal grasp opportunity

Arsenal were given added motivation before kick-off after witnessing Manchester City beat Chelsea in a battle of the top two at Kingsmeadow on Friday night, meaning the Gunners could close in on the leaders.

February had been a disappointing month for Arsenal before this outing, with defeat by West Ham in the WSL harming their challenge, followed by defeat by Manchester City in the Women’s FA Cup.

Leah Williamson was missing from the Arsenal squad due to a minor hamstring injury, a blow compounded by fellow defender Amanda Ilestedt’s absence through illness, and that led to anxiety in the stands.

But this was a huge response by Arsenal, confirming their superiority over United and imposing their aggression on the big stage.

Asked how significant this result could prove to be, Arsenal boss Jonas Eidevall said: “It would be nice to say it can be really significant, but the reality is it’s about what we do in the next eight games that will give this victory any value.

“That’s the mindset we need because if we don’t perform well in the next eight games then today is not worth anything.”

Buoyed by a full house, Arsenal rode a few minutes of pressure by United at the start, then quickly settled after Geyse’s unfortunate own goal.

From then on, they exploited space behind United’s backline through the movement of Stina Blackstenius and Lacasse, selected ahead of England striker Alessia Russo.

Eidevall’s side were enjoying themselves and celebrated playfully – McCabe standing with her arms outstretched as team-mates ran towards her, Lacasse sticking her tongue out and Little being hoisted up in the air.

Mead struck the woodwork twice and fired wide, while Blackstenius and Lacasse were denied by Mary Earps as Arsenal continued to pepper her goal.

‘We will do everything to chase top three’

United boss Skinner, whose contract expires in the summer, has faced criticism this season and emphasised again that he supports the right for such views to be heard.

He remains defiant, however, stating he will “continue to work tirelessly to get the team to where we want it to be”.

“Some people love what you do and some people hate what you do. We would never stop people having an opinion,” Skinner added.

“I’m here to try and win for Manchester United and to continue to grow the team that’s needed to win for Manchester United and I think that’s really important.

“Look at the bench that Arsenal had today. You look at experience and where they are in their careers, it’s a little bit different, right? We have lots of quality, but the depth is something we want to continue to look at.”

United had chances early in the first half as Nikita Parris poked a dropped ball by goalkeeper Sabrina D’Angelo wide and Ella Toone’s shot almost deflected in off Steph Catley, but it took them 71 minutes to manage a first shot on target.

Garcia’s late goal came from a cross on the left, but on the whole it was a bitterly disappointing afternoon for the visitors, who head back north knowing they have a mountain to climb to finish inside the WSL’s top three.

Asked how damaging this defeat was, Skinner said: “I don’t think the word ‘damaging’ is the conversation. I think it’s more that we’re still chasing, so we have to chase.

“We know we’re seven points behind Arsenal. So we’ll chase. It’s what our team are resilient enough to do. We have to be almost perfect to win at the Emirates and we weren’t today.

“We will do everything in our power to try and chase.”