GUNNERS GRIT IT OUT AGAINST BIRMINGHAM
Arsenal maintained their 100% start to the WSL season with a hard fought 3-1 win over 3rd place Birmingham City at Meadow Park. The Blues had only conceded 3 goals in their opening 7 games and they demonstrated exactly why they are so difficult to break down against free scoring Arsenal, limiting the Gunners’ opportunities in the first half.
Danielle van de Donk told me after the game that manager Joe Montemurro “got angry!” at half time. The man himself told Arsenal.com that “stern words were said.” Jordan Nobbs gave Arsenal a second half lead, but Birmingham equalised straight from kickoff.
But van de Donk’s penalty and Jordan Nobbs’ wonderful late finish sealed the points for Arsenal, who maintain a three point lead at the top of the WSL with a game in hand. Highlights from Sunday’s game are available below. Arsenal’s next game is on Sunday, 18th November away at Everton, the match will be screened live on BBC iplayer and on the red button.
Can anyone stop Arsenal Women? The Gunners maintained their ? record with victory over Birmingham City Women
Posted by The FA Women's Super League on Monday, 5 November 2018
NOBBS AND MIEDEMA UP FOR PLAYER OF THE MONTH
Jordan Nobbs and Vivianne Miedema have both been nominated for October’s Player of the Month award in the WSL. Miedema bagged seven goals in total in October, with Jordan Nobbs scoring four. Jordan has really stepped up in the absence of Kim Little, while Miedema continues to score for fun. You can vote for either of them below, voting closes at 5pm UK on Thursday, November 8.
? @VivianneMiedema (@ArsenalWFC)
? @StanwayGeorgia (@ManCity)
? @JordanNobbs8 (@ArsenalWFC)
? @itscarolineweir (@ManCity)Your #FAWSL nominees for October Player of the Month!
? Vote NOW!https://t.co/T0b5TkGddo
— The FA Women's Super League (@FAWSL) November 5, 2018
OOOH TABEA GOONER
Tabea Kemme made her long awaited debut, coming on as a stoppage time substitute for Beth Mead on Sunday. The German international agreed a transfer from Turbine Potsdam earlier this year, before tearing a piece of knee cartilage. She has been in full training for a few weeks, but will likely be eased in before the Christmas break.
“We love Tabea, we love having her here at the club and I wish her a speedy return. She’ll be back very soon,” said Joe Montemurro in the wake of the match. Whilst Danielle van de Donk told me, “We are really happy she played her first game for Arsenal today and I can’t wait to see more from her. She’s always positive in training, she is very quick and she can play in literally every position, so she will be a great addition for us.”
Back from injury ✅@ArsenalWFC debut ✅
Who else is looking forward to seeing Tabea in action? ?#WeAreTheArsenal ? pic.twitter.com/v3Tx0kal5i
— Arsenal Women (@ArsenalWFC) November 4, 2018
INTERNATIONAL BREAK
Most of the girls now fly off to play for their countries and a few of them will be coming face to face. Jordan Nobbs, Beth Mead and Leah Williamson are in the England squad to play Jess Samuelsson’s Sweden at Rotherham’s New York Stadium on Sunday, 11th November. It’s Jess’ first international call up since snapping a metatarsal playing for her country last October.
Meanwhile, Lia Wälti and Switzerland face up to Sari van Veenendaal, Danielle van de Donk, Vivianne Miedema and Dominique Bloodworth in a two legged World Cup qualifying playoff this week. The first leg will be played at a sold out Stadion Galgenwaard in Utrecht on Friday night, with the return leg in Schaffhausen next Tuesday evening. It’s winner takes it all in terms of World Cup qualification.
Pauline Peyraud-Magnin is in the France squad to play Marta-less Brazil in Nice on Saturday evening, Lisa Evans and Emma Mitchell will represent Scotland at home to the USA next Tuesday. Louise Quinn and Katie McCabe will take part in an Ireland training camp in Abbotstown during the international period, they won’t play any official games.
LEAH WILLIAMSON: THIS IS ME
Last week, the WSL twitter feed published an excellent, short video interview with Gunners defender Leah Williamson on her journey to being a professional footballer. Leah grew up as an Arsenal fan and joined the girls academy aged 9. Leah always speaks with the authority and maturity of someone far older than 21. This is well worth a couple of minutes of your time.
Ever wondered what made one of the game's brightest young stars tick?
?❤️ This is Me: @ArsenalWFC's @leahcwilliamson pic.twitter.com/d8sgDD1sbh
— The FA Women's Super League (@FAWSL) November 1, 2018
COMPETITION WINNER
Congratulations to Vesa Viljakainen who won the signed team sheet from this year’s victorious Conti Cup Final. The question was “from which club did Arsenal sign Vivianne Miedema” to which the answer was, of course, Bayern Munich.
We’ll have a competition next week on @arseblognews to win this signed team sheet from the Conti Cup Final win against Manchester City earlier this year. Keep em peeled. pic.twitter.com/oVjHuJgTDs
— Tim Stillman (@Stillberto) October 27, 2018
COMING UP
There is no game this weekend, but we’ll be back with another Weekly Round Up next Monday. There will also be a full match preview for the Everton match on the site next Friday, with exclusive reaction from a player on the site later that day too. Our November feature interview will appear between the Everton and Brighton matches.
Arsenal W.F.C. across all competitions so far this season:
WWWWWWWWW
Goals: 46
Conceded: 5
Clean sheets: 6All they do is win. pic.twitter.com/ct91vbN3pI
— Squawka Football (@Squawka) November 4, 2018
Have been following the team this year – they have been simply great.
Arsenal have always had one of the top 3 womens teams in the world.
Man City recently rocked the boat with their cash injection.
Womens football is bigger than it ever has and currently up in lights with even long term absentees forming female teams (utd)
Arsenal still playing on easy mode.
Any reason the title pictures are always squished for the women’s news?
Slightly odd pic resolution required, so it always comes out a bit odd.
Why is there no round-up for the men’s team?
there is so little men’s team news on here, i can barely find a single article about this overlooked footballing gender.
There isn’t supposed to be parity in the number of news items, because men’s football is vastly superior.
thanks so much tim. This is especially brilliant for us overseas supporters. Getting such detailed info and from behind the scenes really helps reduce the distance and connect us.