# WSL: Hemp nears record as Arsenal draw

> Lauren Hemp edges closer to WSL assist record as Arsenal draw with Birmingham.
- Title: WSL: Hemp nears record as Arsenal draw · the Guardian
- Summary: Lauren Hemp edges closer to WSL assist record as Arsenal draw with Birmingham. Lauren Hemp recorded two assists in Sunday's 3-2 win over Brighton, moving…
- Keywords: wsl, lauren hemp, arsenal women, birmingham city women, birmingham, manchester city women, brighton & hove albion women, chelsea women, london city lionesses, tottenham hotspur women, aston villa women, crystal palace women
- Source: the Guardian — https://theguardian.com/football/2026/oct/19/wsl-talking-points-pressure-slegers-arsenal-hemp-assists-record-manchester-city
- Published: 2026-10-19T11:01:19+00:00
- Read time: 1 min
- Topics: wsl, lauren hemp, arsenal women, birmingham city women, birmingham, manchester city women, brighton & hove albion women, chelsea women, london city lionesses, tottenham hotspur women, aston villa women, crystal palace women
## Arsenal earn no respite
Arsenal secured a 1-1 draw with Birmingham despite dominating possession and xG metrics.

> the gunners dominated most attacking and possession-based metrics, they registered 76% possession, a 2.73 xg and 43 touches in the opposition box, but their profligacy in front of goal and lack of urgency in their play once again came to the fore.
## Slegers struggles with low blocks
Renée Slegers' Arsenal faced resilient Birmingham defense that protected their box admirably.

> birmingham set up in a strong defensive structure, protecting their box admirably with numbers to frustrate renée slegers’s side, who famously struggle to break down low blocks.
## Hemp edges closer to record
Lauren Hemp recorded two assists in Sunday's 3-2 win over Brighton, moving within three of the WSL all-time assist record.

> lauren hemp closed in on the wsl all-time assist record after setting up two goals in sunday’s 3-2 win against brighton. the 26-year-old recorded numbers 50 and 51 within the opening 16 minutes of the game by setting up khadija shaw twice.
## Slegers' Arsenal struggles
Arsenal's Renée Slegers faced challenges against Birmingham's strong defensive structure.

> of their 27 chances, they managed just four on target as they toiled against a resilient opposition who understood the playbook.
## Birmingham scores with Hurtré
Birmingham's Océane Hurtré scored with her sixth goal in six matches.

> birmingham scored with their one shot on target as océane hurtré took her impressive tally to six in six.
## Arsenal's xG and touches
Arsenal registered 76% possession, 2.73 xG, and 43 touches in the opposition box.

> they registered 76% possession, a 2.73 xg and 43 touches in the opposition box
## Slegers' performance
Slegers' Arsenal struggled to convert chances despite dominating possession metrics.

> of their 27 chances, they managed just four on target as they toiled against a resilient opposition who understood the playbook.
## Hemp's assist record
Hemp now sits three assists behind Beth Mead, the WSL all-time assist record holder.

> she now sits just three assists behind record holder and teammate beth mead, who has 54 in total.
## Hemp's goals
Hemp recorded two assists in the opening 16 minutes of Sunday's match against Brighton.

> the 26-year-old recorded numbers 50 and 51 within the opening 16 minutes of the game by setting up khadija shaw twice.
## Hemp's comments
Hemp stated she wants to improve her performance and reduce turnovers.

> i want to keep improving and i want my whole performance across the game to be good and i thought i lost the ball too many times today.
## Arsenal's draw
Arsenal drew 1-1 with Birmingham in a match that highlighted their attacking dominance and defensive issues.

> arsenal earn no respite from troubles
## Key takeaway

Lauren Hemp recorded two assists in Sunday's 3-2 win over Brighton, moving within three of the WSL all-time assist record.