THE LOWDOWN
Arsenal travel to Leigh Sports Village to take on Manchester United on Sunday lunchtime in a crunch game for the Gunners’ season ambitions. Even at this early stage, the title looks to be a long shot but lose to Marc Skinner’s side on Sunday and a UWCL qualification slot begins to look precarious, even at this early stage of the campaign.
The Gunners did finish the last block prior to the international break with a pair of wins over Valerenga in the UWCL and away at West Ham in the WSL. Both results were incredibly welcome in the wake of Jonas Eidevall’s resignation but both performances still had some question marks around them, they are going to have to improve to take the points they need in Leigh.
Her journey began in the States ✨
Now follow @alessiarusso7 as she heads back to the USA, reminisces about her college years and explores how they brought her to Arsenal ❤️
— Arsenal Women (@ArsenalWFC) October 30, 2024
But the international break was well timed for Arsenal and lots of players went away and had productive games with their national sides. Leah Williamson, Katie McCabe, Frida Maanum, Caitlin Foord, Stina Blackstenius and Kyra Cooney-Cross all got on the score sheet for their countries during the break.
England captain Leah Williamson admitted it was welcome to go into another environment given Arsenal’s early season troubles and that is completely logical. Arsenal had been together constantly for three months during a tumultuous time. Now they have to use the break from the environment to recharge and get the season back on track.
TEAM NEWS
Mariona will be available after missing the second game of the international break due to a family bereavement, Lotte Wubben-Moy will not after experiencing a minor setback in her recovery from concussion. Laura Wienroither (knee), Victoria Pelova (ACL) and Amanda Ilestedt (maternity leave) are still unavailable.
Available squad
Goalkeepers: 1.Zinsberger 14.van Domselaar 40.Williams
Defenders: 2.Fox 5.L.Codina 6.Williamson 7.Catley 11.McCabe 62.Reid
Midfielders: 10.Little 12.Maanum 13.Walti 16.Kafaji 22.Kuhl 32.Cooney-Cross
Forwards: 9.Mead 17.Hurtig 19.Foord 23.Russo 25.Blackstenius 53.Lia 56.Godfrey
A WORD FROM THE BOSS
‘United are always a very good side, this is going to be my second time going there away but I followed the league for many years. They are a strong team, the additions they made to their team are really good players. They have started the season really well, they haven’t played any of the top four teams yet but what they have done so far is good and I guess they are happy about it.
‘We are mostly focusing on ourselves because we know how good we are and we know if we play our top level we can beat any team. The good thing about our team is that we are good at many things, we are good at building, we are good at pressing, we are good at counterattacking and we have a lot of elements to our game with the specific qualities we have. We are very versatile and can play the game in different ways.
‘If they are smelling blood I can imagine that perspective from the outside but we know what is happening on the inside and we have seen a lot of positive things, the two games before the international window the performances during the international block. Today’s training was one of our best so we are very positive about what is ahead of us but we know a lot of hard work and ownership will be needed.’
LAST TIME OUT
When the teams met at LSV last October they played out a thrilling 2-2 draw. Stina Blackstenius gave Arsenal an early lead before goals from Leah Galton and Melvine Malard turned the tide in United’s favour. Cloe Lacasse hit an outstanding stoppage time equaliser to rescue a point for the Gunners. When they met in March, Arsenal were 3-1 winners at Emirates Stadium thanks to an own goal from Geyse, a goal from Cloe Lacasse and a Kim Little penalty. Lucia Garcia scored a stoppage time consolation.
THE OPPOSITION
After a disappointing league campaign in 2023-24 which saw United slip to fifth place in the WSL, they did at least secure the club’s first major silverware by winning the FA Cup. There was much speculation around the future of boss Marc Skinner, whose contract expired during the summer. The writing appeared to be on the wall when goalkeeper Mary Earps opted not to extend her contract and moved to PSG.
However, Skinner was given a stay of execution and United had a quietly impressive summer transfer window, bringing in the likes of Dominique Janssen, Elisabeth Terland, Celin Bizet and recalling Grace Clinton from an excellent loan spell at Spurs. United played all of their pre-season friendlies behind closed doors too as they worked on a system tweak.
Firing home in October 🔥⚽️
Who gets your vote for our Goal of the Month award, Reds? 🤔🗳️#MUWomen
— Manchester United Women (@ManUtdWomen) October 29, 2024
Now United play more of a hybrid system with Galton and either Rivieire or Bizet as wing-backs, with Dominique Janssen alternating between playing as a third centre-back and stepping into midfield. They were far too open behind their full-backs last season and have focused on tightening up. The summer signing of Terland also enabled them to finally replace some of the qualities they missed in Russo, a striker who can hold the ball up and help them to sustain attacks.
United started the season well, albeit against a reasonably gentle fixture list with their game against Chelsea postponed in October. They hit their first bump in the road just before the break with a 1-1 draw away at Brighton with former striker Nikita Parris taking two points from them. United have been quiet for a few months but this will be the biggest test of the season so far and a good measure of where they currently are.
PLAYER TO WATCH
Leah Williamson has caught the spotlight recently for her performances, which is natural for the England captain. Prior to the break, Williamson was an unused sub against West Ham and didn’t join in with the pre-match warm-up with interim boss Renee Slegers telling me that ‘we are managing her minutes.’ Williamson also didn’t train fully with the England squad prior to the friendlies with Germany and South Africa.
The relief on her face was palpable when she opened the scoring for the Lionesses against South Africa but it would be disrespectful of Leah’s talent to say she has been at her best level this season. She will not need anyone to tell her that. But it is also clear that she is managing a physical issue and as news this week broke of Vivianne Miedema requiring a third knee surgery following her ACL injury 22 months ago, it is worth remembering how stubborn these problems can be.
Her form has come into the spotlight after some errors across the two England games and that is all part of the game for a high profile player. If she is deemed fit enough to start this game, eyes will be on her again. Do I think Leah has played at her usual high level this season? No. Do I have any concerns over her long-term? Also no.
PREDICTED LINE UP
Subs: 1.Zinsberger, 7.Catley, 12.L.Maanum, 16.Kafaji, 17.Hurtig, 22.Kuhl, 25.Blackstenius, 32.Cooney-Cross, 62.Reid
HOW TO CATCH THE GAME
The game takes place at Leigh Sports Village and kicks off at 12.30pm on Sunday and will be broadcast live on BBC Two in the UK.
COMING UP
We will have every word of Renee Slegers’ post-match press conference online for you shortly after full-time, we will also have the usual on the whistle match report from Aidan Gibson and Jamie and I will have an Arsenal Women Arsecast for you on Tuesday morning.
COYGG
Big match. I just rewatched the exciting 2-2 from last season and we were a little unlucky not to win. We gifted them their first goal. Renée is very likeable and that’s why it’s so easy to root for her, but we need to see if she can get the team to be all the things JE could not get them to be either at all, or consistently – imaginative, ruthless and defensively solid. It killed me to hear Rehane Skinner talk about how predictable we are, and know that she is right. But I am hopeful because I don’t… Read more »
But regardless of what happens in the next games, it should be Nick Cushing, coincidence waiting until the next international break, and that’s exactly the period that the MLS playoffs will end, it’s sad, nothing will change. and it’s time to take a break from all this, Claire no comments for that person.
You’re right that it’s likely that the board have already made up their minds to appoint Cushing, or at least that they have a shortlist which RS isn’t on. But whatever conversations have been had, nobody has signed a contract yet, or they would be in post now. I just want her to do well and for Clare Wheatley etc al to give her fair consideration. But much as I like RS so far, I want the right manager for AWFC. Because of our move to the Emirates, because of our profile and the length of time it has been… Read more »
Agreed we should have beaten them last season, 2 bad goals to concede (Sabrina never really recovered from it). As Tim points out, they’re looking like a difficult proposition this season though. We always seem to struggle against fast and direct play down the flanks, so I’m anticipating a difficult game. COYG!