The Netherlands striker's 16th league goal of the campaign put the visitors ahead inside three minutes.

Arsenal made the points safe with a late penalty, converted by Kim Little.

Katie McCabe curled in an impressive third in stoppage time, as Arsenal kept pressure on their title rivals.

Little's calmly-taken spot kick - controversially awarded after Danielle van de Donk went down when caught slightly by Reading's Jade Moore - ended the game as a contest.

Reading almost levelled in the second half in cold, wet conditions at Adams Park, when Fara Williams' half-volley was touched on to the top of the crossbar.

The Royals had a strong appeal for a first-half penalty turned down when Lauren Bruton appeared to be barged over in the area by Miedema.

The previous record for the most goals scored in a season in the WSL - formed in 2011 and expanded last summer to include 11 teams - was set by Birmingham City's Ellen White last term.

Miedema moved level with White's 15 goals in the defeat by Chelsea last time out on 13 January - and it took her less than three minutes to set the new record.

With seven WSL matches remaining this term, the 22-year-old has a chance of becoming the first WSL striker to surpass 20 goals in a league campaign.

Arsenal defender Louise Quinn:

"We started with great intensity. In the first half, we had a decent bit of control.

"Getting the penalty at the time we did was perfect timing. It made it very comfortable and what a strike from Katie (McCabe) at the end just to really seal it.

"We deserved the win - definitely. As defenders, it's been a while since we kept a clean sheet, so it was really important."

Reading defender Molly Bartrip:

"It was just a shame that we couldn't take the chances we had.

"Obviously, in the second half, the penalty is a question mark and then we conceded in the last couple of minutes.

"It's frustrating because we know we could have got a result out of that game. We now need to look onto the next game."