During Wednesday night’s 1-0 defeat to Manchester United in the Conti Cup, the Gunners did have some reason to feel optimistic with the returns of Leah Williamson and Tobin Heath from injury.
Both were second half substitutes. While Williamson’s reputation is firmly entrenched within the Arsenal fan base, Heath less so. She is one of the best known players in the world, of course, but her Arsenal career to date has been interrupted by a calf problem.
Given how often Arsenal like to overload on the left flank, I put it to Jonas Eidevall that a small space dribbler, capable of both attracting and holding off opponents and combining with an overlapping left-back has been missed.
“We only got to see a glimpse of Tobin Heath when she was injured so quickly after the international break (in November),” Eidevall told Arseblog News. “For me, the way we played at home to Hoffenheim (a 4-0 victory) I still rate as our best performance so far this season and she was a big part of that performance.
“I have very high hopes of the level of play that she can give us. It’s very nice to have her back because she’s so good in offence and defence, she is so committed and she has such a good football intelligence to transmit ideas in a good way.”
Eidevall also told Arseblog News that Lia Walti and Lotte Wubben-Moy are in contention to be part of the match day squad for Sunday’s trip to Manchester City, as is new signing Rafalle Souza, who hasn’t played since November when the Brazilian season finished.
“There is hope that all three of them will be in the squad. I cannot guarantee yet but there is good hope there. None of them are ruled out.”
Welcome back
Still time for Tobin to work her magic!
Shall be good to see Lotte and Wally back and the 3rd January signing Fafa get a debut outing.
If the return of Leah, Lotte, Lia ,Tobin and three new signings does’nt spark a turnround in form then inevitably the spotlight has to turn on Jonas.