WEEKEND OFF
There was a full fixture list in the WSL this weekend, but with 11 teams in the league, it was Arsenal’s turn to sit out. The squad were given the weekend off before the majority join up with their national sides. In the WSL, Manchester City came from 2-0 down against Birmingham City- who had won their first three games- to win 3-2 in Solihull. City went a goal down in the 4th minute to a spectacular long distance own goal from Abbie McManus.
Chelsea picked up their first win and their first goals of the season with a 2-0 victory over Brighton. Chelsea meet the Gunners on October 14th in a crunch game. The Gunners remain top of the pile going into the international break.
No shortage of drama in today's #FAWSL fixtures!
Who was your standout performer? pic.twitter.com/wYhkHnv2hA
— The FA Women's Super League (@FAWSL) September 30, 2018
INTERNATIONALS
Most of the squad join up with their national teams today for fixtures of varying importance. Sari van Veenendaal, Dominique Bloodworth, Vivianne Miedema and Danielle van de Donk prepare for a two legged World Cup playoff against Denmark. It would be quite the shock if the reigning European Champions do not make next summer’s tournament in France.
Met z’n allen de schouders eronder! ??? https://t.co/dLFf6prGF3
— Dominique Bloodworth (@DominiqueJansse) September 14, 2018
Elsewhere, Jordan Nobbs, Leah Williamson and Beth Mead are in the England squad for the Lionesses’ friendlies against Brazil at Meadow Lane and Australia at Craven Cottage next week. You can read an interview with Jordan Nobbs ahead of those games on the FA website.
Katie McCabe and Louise Quinn have been called for Ireland’s friendly against Poland. Lia Wälti will be involved in Switzerland’s World Cup playoff against Belgium. Goalkeeper Pauline Peyraud-Magnin has been called into the France squad for the first time for friendlies against Australia and Cameroon. Scotland do not have a fixture, so Emma Mitchell, Lisa Evans and Kim Little can put their feet up.
STATS
Opta have begun to provide clubs and WSL content providers with comprehensive WSL stats now, which is why you will have noticed more detailed statistical information on players emanating from Arsenal’s social media channels lately.
Love the weekly FA WSL stats we get into the inbox now. Just need a weekly injury report now… pic.twitter.com/qcrGzOsMgO
— Rich Laverty (@RichJLaverty) September 28, 2018
Not only is this a welcome acknowledgement of the WSL, but stats equal content and content equals promotion. It gives clubs another avenue to communicate with supporters and to demonstrate that the games are of consequence.
Most clubs have access to stats in-house and Arsenal make use of video analysis. In fact, newly appointed assistant manager Aaron D’Antino was Joe Montemurro’s video analyst at Melbourne Victory. Things have professionalised behind the scenes at clubs like Arsenal in recent years and it’s good to give that a more public face.
?⚪️ have averaged 70.2% possession this season, higher than any other @FAWSL club ?#FAWSLStats pic.twitter.com/Ig4tP15zkF
— Arsenal Women (@ArsenalWFC) September 30, 2018
DAN CARTER
Dan Carter says her rehabilitation is on schedule after suffering a cruciate ligament injury back in May. Dan is expected to return in the spring, you can read my interview with her about the injury from June here.
? @DanielleCarter has an injury update for you all ?#WeAreTheArsenal ? pic.twitter.com/oxBSyvOiJu
— Arsenal Women (@ArsenalWFC) September 28, 2018
Dan also visited a school in Islington this week to mark International Day of Languages, where the kids were treated to a coaching session conducted in German. Dan also surprised the children with a clutch of free tickets for Arsenal’s Carabao Cup match against Brentford.
? @DanielleCarter even gifted every member of their girls team with tickets to @Arsenal against @BrentfordFC this evening ?#WeAreTheArsenal ? pic.twitter.com/a9Bxk1hWnq
— Arsenal Women (@ArsenalWFC) September 26, 2018
FLEETING RECOGNITION
Former Arsenal striker Julie Fleeting will be inducted into the Scottish Football Hall of Fame, at this year’s annual dinner at Scotland’s National Stadium, Hampden Park, on Sunday 21st October. Julie is Scotland’s record goalscorer with 116 goals in 121 appearances for her country.
The 38 year old enjoyed a trophy laiden spell at Arsenal between 2004 and 2012, in which she amassed 8 league titles, 5 FA Cups and a Champions League, scoring over 300 goals for the club in the process. Fleeting was awarded an MBE in 2008 for her services to women’s football and was a crucial member of the 2006-07 quadruple winning team.
Julie lived and worked in Scotland as a PE teacher during her time at Arsenal, flying to London on Sunday mornings, playing on a Sunday afternoon before jetting back to Edinburgh of a Sunday evening. In May 2004, Jules played and scored for Scotland before netting a hat trick for Arsenal in the FA Cup Final the very next day.
Thanks, Tim
Everything crossed for 14th October. As long as we don’t lose. Got to keep our amazing momentum going.
That WWC2019 playoff is going to be a replay of the European final, I hope with the same result.
Congratulations to Julie Fleeting – still only 38!
In other news, good to see an outbreak of common sense from the various FAs allowing a Team GB in 2020. Will ensure that some good British players don’t miss out just because they’re from the wrong nation. And will increase viewers and interest in the competition GB-wide.
“In May 2004, Jules played and scored for Scotland before netting a hat trick for Arsenal in the FA Cup Final the very next day”
So you can stop your whinging about your Thursday/Sunday Europa League commitments eh gentlemen! 😉
lol how does one score a “spectacular long distance own goal”? ??
Although it would be quite the shock if Netherlands don’t make the WC, they met Denmark in the final of the Euros last year, and really the only reason Denmark is in there is because of their ridiculous Football Association (they forfeited a game while striking during the qualifiers). It’s going to be two massive games!