Arsenal Women are set to play two pre-season friendlies in Washington DC in August, as reported first by Emily Keogh and Jeff Kassouf of ESPN.
The Gunners, who play an A-League All Stars Team in Melbourne on Friday, will travel to Washington as part of their preparations for the new season. Jonas Eidevall’s side will face NWSL side Washington Spirit, who are soon to be taken over by Barcelona boss Jonatan Giraldez.
Then Arsenal are set to play WSL rivals Chelsea on August 19, also in Washington DC. Chelsea are set to be taken over by current Lyon boss Sonia Bompastor. Arsenal, meanwhile, will be hopeful that their first two targets of the summer, Barca attacker Mariona Caldentey and Aston Villa goalkeeper Daphne van Domselaar, will be on board by then.
The Gunners will again take part in the Champions League preliminary qualifying rounds in early September, with the usual four-team mini-tournament and games on 4 and 7 September. Borehamwood chairman Danny Hunter has confirmed that Meadow Park will bid to ‘host’ that mini-tournament, which would reduce travel for the team. The draw for that round will take place on 5 July in Nyon.
This summer, the Australian players, as well as Spanish defender Laia Codina, potentially Canadian Cloe Lacasse and American international Emily Fox are all likely to take part in the Olympics in Paris between 25 July and 10 August.
Man, I was thinking about this tour with the NWSL teams, it’s going to be great, and I hope the signings come to fruition as quickly as possible, and Tim I hope Arsenal W. signs another Tar Hell for the team, if they fail to sign Mariona , it would be great for the team, if it were them, I would think about this possibility
“Tar Hell”– as a grad of another school in that conference, that’s about right as far as I am concerned.
Lets see what this side (plus additions) can do with a proper pre-season. 24-25 has to be the year for the WSL.
Why are we signing Mariona???
Because Eidevall has apparently been selling management this bill of good for years that with just one more good player, he’ll win the treble. As is he’s had a team of all-stars for at least two years and won nothing of note.
Maybe because she is really freaking good ?
Is Bouhaddi returning for the game is Australia
Yes, she is.
I do not remember a pre season tour for AWFC before but it is not before time.
It has been common, essentail even, in the men’s game from which they often benefit so let’s hope some of that rubs off.
I’ll ask as well: Why do we need Mariona? She is left sided I think but what else?
I also don’t understand, they say they are needed, but she is not just LW and takes on other roles on the field, she is very versatile on the field, Emily, Lacasse also plays other roles, Russo, if you notice, she is sometimes helping to defense, and today’s goalkeeper has to be good with his feet. I don’t know if DVD has that skill.
sorry, but it was the only logic I found 😀
Maybe she is earmarked as a potential number 10?
FYI, the August 19th date is incorrect w/r/t Arsenal-Chelsea. Gotham and Chelsea just announced they’re playing that night. My guess is our game against the Spirit will be within a day of that (either the 18th or 20th) and then the Chelsea match will be Aug 23rd or 24th.
Fingers crossed that our bid to host is successful. It would be great for us with all the support. And it would be on a proper pitch with real grass.