Jordan Nobbs set up one goal and scored the other to lift Arsenal Ladies to third in the Women’s Super League table with a 2-0 win over Notts County.

Nobbs delivered a probing ball from inside her own half for Danielle van de Donk to run onto and slot home, giving the Gunners a 10th-minute lead at Meadow Park.

And the England midfielder made it 2-0 early in the second half to ensure that Arsenal moved up to third place, five points behind their next league opponents, Chelsea.

The home side were initially unable to build on Van de Donk’s opener and Notts County might have levelled when Laura Bassett’s close-range header was clawed away by Sari van Veenendaal.

But Nobbs then initiated the move that led to the second goal, with Alex Scott and Dominique Janssen also involved in returning the ball for the midfielder to tuck away via a deflection.

Former Arsenal forward Ellen White fired a chance wide for the visitors, while Vicky Losada and Natalia forced saves from County goalkeeper Megan Walsh during the closing stages.

Arsenal midfielder Fara Williams said: “It was a brilliant result against a strong, aggressive team. That’s what Notts County bring and we knew we had to match that and start fast.

“The tempo within the first 10 minutes earned us the right to play our football and scoring an early goal settled us down. If you’re not scoring and giving them opportunities, you panic a little bit and play more open.”