Lia Walti is not in the squad for Arsenal’s UWCL quarter-final tie against Wolfsburg this evening, so Frida Maanum comes into midfield. With Beth Mead suspended, Tobin Heath will start on the right wing with Katie McCabe on the left.
Vivianne Miedema will play the number 10 role behind Stina Blackstenius with Kim Little completing the midfield. Maritz, Williamson, Wubben-Moy and Catley are in the back line with Manu Zinsberger in goal. Mana Iwabuchi and Rafaelle miss out with injury but Caitlin Foord returns to the bench.
Team: 1.Zinsberger; 16.Maritz, 6.Williamson, 3.Wubben-May, 7.Catley; 10.Little(c), 12.Maanum, 11.Miedema; 77.Heath, 15.McCabe; 25.Blackstenius.
Subs: 5.Beattie, 8.Nobbs, 14.Parris, 18.Williams, 19.Foord, 20.Boye, 26.Wienroither, 28.Cull.
Lia is a huge loss. Heath can’t play a full 90, and we have no idea how healthy Foord is. Will we even see 3 subs tonight? Advantage WOB.
So are we not allowing a valid point to be expressed here?
I questioned how fit Heath was for a starting spot. I doubt she’ll last the 90. And does that mean Jonas has no trust in Parris?
Is there a reason to not start Foord? Heath will never last the game and is injury prone. Could be a huge mistake Jonas makes.
Why the vagueness? Is Walti injured?
Covid
It’s interesting that Iwabuchi–considered such a good signing, and certainly a good/very good player–has played so little for Arsenel this season. Played a lot early, but not much in the last couple of months–owing to various knocks, I guess.