Alessia Russo starts on the bench for Arsenal against her former club Manchester United Women today, with Stina Blackstenius preferred at centre-forward. Blackstenius started the reverse fixture because Arsenal consider that United can be vulnerable to balls in behind.
This is probably why Cloe Lacasse starts on the left ahead of Caitlin Foord too with Beth Mead on the right. Kim Little will play behind them, ahead of a midfield double pivot of Lia Walti and Victoria Pelova.
Sabrina D’Angelo starts in goal with a back four of Katie McCabe, Laia Codina- starting her first WSL game since the reverse fixture, Lotte Wubben-Moy and Steph Catley. Vivianne Miedema is fit enough for a place on the bench after missing the last two games with a knee irritation but Leah Williamson is not in the squad.
14.D’Angelo; 15.McCabe, 3.Wubben-Moy, 27.Codina, 7.Catley; 21.Pelova, 13.Walti; 9.Mead, 10.Little(c), 24.Lacasse; 25.Blackstenius.
Subs: 1.Zinsberger, 11.Miedema, 12.Maanum, 19.Foord, 23.Russo, 32.Cooney-Cross, 53.Lia, 62.Reid, 86.Bouhaddi.
Does Katie Reid being recalled and right into the squad make anyone think maybe Leah or Amanda’s problem is more serious than the club letting on
It all seems a bit short notice, but even if they’re both short-term absences, Katie is the only defender on the bench.
Didn’t even notice that, we are a bit short right now aren’t we between injuries and Emily fox away, that’s one of the pros of Watford for loan’s, training ground next door to ours
Minor hamstring injury for Leah according to the club, and Amanda still ill. I’m inclined to take it at face value, little niggles after long-term injury are normal and illness just has to run its course. Fully expect to see them both play during the international break and come back fit for the Spurs game
I’m at the emirates today. COYG!
Big calls from the manager who is on very thin ice or at least should be.
Unlike the mens team, the ladies team have got easily as good a squad and resources as the other top 2 but I’m not sure this manager can get them over the hump of winning the WSL.
Wasn’t sure what was happening with Miedema. I was worried she wouldn’t be able to come on today as during the warmup she was stood off the pitch with no match socks or boots on. Then at halftime every other sub was on the pitch except her. Then she come on the pitch for a couple of minutes just before the second half.