Our Gunners are able to bounce again after a disappointing begin to the Women’s Super League season with an away conflict towards Manchester United this night.
Fresh from signing a brand new long-term contract, Jonas Eidevall has taken this week to re-energise the squad forward of our subsequent stern problem, as we purpose to safe our first away win towards United since 2021.
The fixture will even see the debut of our bespoke ladies’s away equipment, designed in collaboration with adidas and Stella McCartney.
Last time round
We didn’t beat the Red Devils on both event final season.
A implausible volley from Laura Wienroither and a lucky lob from Frida Maanum seemed like they’d be sufficient to grant our Gunners a win within the house leg at Emirates Stadium. However, we had been undone by two late targets from United and to make issues worse, Beth Mead’s match-ending damage would later be revealed as a season-ending ACL rupture.
Cut to April 2023 and we headed to Manchester on a terrific run of kind, having crushed Manchester City within the league and knocked out Bayern Munich to e-book a spot within the semi-finals of the UEFA Women’s Champions League.
However, little may put together us for an additional devastating ACL damage – this time to Leah Williamson. As our then-captain hobbled off the pitch within the 15th minute, a hush fell over Leigh Sports Village from house and away followers alike.
Already with out Kim Little, Beth Mead and Vivianne Miedema, our squad confirmed a substantial amount of grit and character within the tie and had been unlucky to come back away with a 1-0 loss.
A brand new-look United
Once a thorn in our facet who scored towards us in each house and away legs towards United final season, Alessia Russo is now our quantity 23. She’ll be seeking to make a press release on her return to her former membership however Jonas Eidevall made a degree to mark Russo’s consistency.
“Alessia is 100 per cent skilled. She at all times trains with plenty of motivation however in fact, it will get particular whenever you return to play towards a membership the place you might have all of your former teammates and former followers.
Following Russo’s departure, the Red Devils had a busy summer time switch window, recruiting the likes of Irene Guerrero, Hinata Miyazawa, Melvine Malard and Geyce to the membership.
United took the WSL by storm final season, wanting as if they had been cruising to the trophy till a stumble towards Chelsea allowed the Blues to capitalise. Still, their second-place end was their finest since becoming a member of the league in 2019 and Marc Skinner’s facet will probably be decided to show that final season was just the start.
Whether the Red Devils can proceed that spectacular kind stays to be seen. They survived a scare towards Aston Villa’s 10 gamers within the opening sport of the season and required a stoppage-time purpose from Rachel Williams to safe three factors at Villa Park.
Following tonight’s fixture, United’s difficult begin to the marketing campaign continues with a significant UEFA Women’s Champions League qualifier towards Paris Saint-Germain on Tuesday.
Team news
Eidevall confirmed that Beth Mead is not going to characteristic in at present’s matchday squad, however reiterated that our ahead is “very close” to a return to the pitch.
The boss did affirm that Noelle Maritz is match to play after the Swiss defender didn’t characteristic towards Liverpool final weekend.
Meanwhile, Vivianne Miedema, Leah Williamson, Laura Wienroither and Teyah Goldie stay on the sidelines by means of damage.
What the managers say
Eidevall on United: “I feel it is a group that may be very constant in the best way that they’re taking part in, and they’re superb soccer group. We have performed some actually good and even soccer matches towards them in my two seasons right here at Arsenal.
“I used to be not notably proud of both of our performances towards them final season, I used to be undoubtedly not proud of the outcomes. I feel we’ve plenty of motivation going up there to vary these issues round.”
Skinner on us: “I’m assured in each sport. I’m at all times assured, I consider on this group, I consider in what they will do. I consider that we are able to beat any opponent on any day, we’ve confirmed that. You need to capitalise on that however you even have to concentrate on your opponent and what they will do.
“Arsenal have been one of many high groups within the nation for a lot of, a few years. My gamers don’t want a psychological edge, they already need to beat each single group that they play. It will probably be a really troublesome sport.”
Facts and stats
- We have by no means misplaced a Friday Women’s Super League fixture, protecting a clear sheet in all 5 earlier video games
- Alessia Russo may turn out to be the primary participant to attain for each groups on this fixture. Our quantity 23 has scored on three consecutive events throughout this WSL fixture, with all of those targets coming for her former facet
- Our Gunners have by no means misplaced 4 video games in a row within the WSL and we’ve additionally by no means began a league season with back-to-back defeats
- Manchester United, in the meantime, have received their final eight league video games. Discounting their clashes with Chelsea, United are unbeaten of their final 28 WSL fixtures
- We have received simply one among our final seven away video games in Manchester. Our final Women’s Super League win within the metropolis got here towards Manchester United again in November 2021, with Katie McCabe and Vivianne Miedema on the scoresheet
- After scoring 4 instances in simply 13 minutes towards Everton final May, we haven’t scored within the Women’s Super League since
How to observe
The motion at Leigh Sports Village kicks off at 7.30pm UK time. Supporters within the UK can watch the sport stay on Sky Sports, with protection beginning at 7pm.
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