The Addicks, who have occupied top spot since the second week of the season, were without a game seven days after their League Cup final triumph over Fulham.
The Cottagers’ hopes of bouncing back from that disappointment were put on hold as their scheduled home game against Birmingham City had to be postponed due to a waterlogged pitch.
That left the way clear for Arsenal to climb above Fulham into second place, both teams having 38 points but the Gunners boasting a superior goal difference after recording their eighth successive League win.
Facing an inexperienced Everton side, they swept into a 31st minute lead through Wales international Ludlow’s 22nd goal of the season.
Striker Ellen Maggs put them further ahead five minutes later, but Everton – whose line-up included four 15 year-olds – grabbed a goal back through England midfielder Kelly McDougall a minute after the interval.
Arsenal wrapped up victory 19 minutes from time though, Republic of Ireland midfielder Ciara Grant striking her 12th goal of the campaign.
In the National Division’s only other game of the weekend, Leeds United trounced Tranmere Rovers 7-2 to give the already relegated team a less than happy end to life in the top flight.
Stacey Daniel hit a hat-trick while her strike partner Lucy Ward scored twice to take her season’s goal tally to 17. Sue Smith and Natalie Preston, both former Tranmere players, were also on target.
In what was their last game of the season, Tranmere scored through Jodie Taylor and an own goal as their thoughts turned to Northern Division football.
Rovers are set for the drop alongside second from bottom Aston Villa, with Northern Division champions Liverpool moving in the opposite direction as will either Southampton Saints or Bristol City from the Southern Division.
Saints are still heading the table after beating Barnet 2-1, the result confirming Barnet’s relegation, but second-placed Bristol City are firm favourites to take the title.
A comfortable 4-0 win at Enfield Town left City only a point behind Saints with three games in hand – and needing only five points from their last four matches of the season to assure themselves of promotion.
Katie Little, Angie Tinson, Heidi Bevan and Michelle Munro hit the City goals, while at Southampton Nicky Watts and Kelly Baker scored for the home side with Charlotte Longuehaye replying for the Bees.
Like Barnet in the Southern Division, Northern Division outfit Bangor City had their Premier League status ended on Sunday.
The Welsh side were hammered 7-2 by Sunderland, for whom Mel Reay hit a hat-trick and Emma Bell scored twice. Julie Lowe and Jill Scott also found the net, while Katie Williams and Mel Prince got Bangor’s consolation goals.