Match Report
Niva, 11th on 41 points, faced a 40-point deficit to Arsenal (1st, 81). The last five rounds placed Niva 6th in the league for form — higher than their 11th in the standings. Scoring rates set the scale: Arsenal 2.69 scored and 0.94 conceded per game, Niva 1.66 and 2.06, with the league averaging 1.64.
Arsenal came in having won nine on the spin, having scored in 9 consecutive games. Five consecutive defeats weighed on Niva. Over the last five, Arsenal had taken 15 of 15 points to Niva's 0.
Stade René Gaillard in Niort, capacity 10,406, hosted the game. On the scoreboard, Arsenal led 2-0 at the break; 3 second-half goals set the final 4-1.