Our dedicated Arsenal ladies expert takes a look back over the past seven days and brings you some exclusive information you won’t find anywhere else.
First team
The Arsenal Ladies played their first home pre-season friendly against WSL 2 side Doncaster Belles at Herts Uni on Sunday. It ended with a 4-1 win.
Goals from Lianne Sanderson and a first senior goal for youngster Vyan Sampson as well as a brace for Jordan Nobbs sealed the win for the Gunners.
The Belles goal was scored by Sophie Barker.
Pedro Losa started the team with a 3-4-3 formation: Siobhan Chamberlain, Vyan Sampson, Casey Stoney, Jemma Rose, Jordan Nobbs, Jade Bailey, Caroline Weir, Rachel Yankey, Lianne Sanderson, Natalia Sanchon, Danielle Carter.
He put Emma Byrne and Alex Scott at half-time for Siobhan Chamberlain and Jade Bailey. Carla Humphrey replaced Natalia Sanchon in the second half.
It was a surprise to see Jordan Nobbs play 90 minutes considering she played nearly 90 minutes on Friday against the USA. The other Arsenal starter against the USA only played 45 minutes against the Belles.
Development team
The Development team was away to London Bees at the Hive, Barnet FC.
They lost 5-4 and are unlikely to retain their title.
It was a bizarre game with both teams showing sub-standard defending at time.
It was also a very young team with a couple of players injured and another one called up for England U17.
The squad was down to the bare bones with only a spare goalkeeper on the bench, and an outfield player had to be pulled from the first team game to ensure Arsenal had 11 players to start with.
The starting 11 was Hollie Augustus, Emma Slater, Kelsey Kiely, Alice Hassall, Philippa Cowley, Frances Steele, Taome Oliver, Alysha Stojk-Down, Ade Fatuga, Evie Clarke, Francesca Boggi.
The unused sub was Chloe Morgan.
The Arsenal goals were scored by newcomer Fran Boggi and a hat-trick from Evie Clarke.
It is interesting to note that due to the low number of players in the development team , three girls from the U17 teams have been registered to play with them.
CoE U17
There was no game this weekend as many players have been called up for the England camp and the tri-nations tournament against Germany and France.
As usual with England youth friendlies, they are played behind closed door with tickets only available to people invited by the FA.
International call-ups
England lost 1-0 at MK Stadium on Friday to the USA and they were unlucky to be denied a valid goal after it was wrongly flagged offside by the assistant referee.
Alex Scott started the game and played 90 minutes.
Jordan Nobbs started the game and was subbed with nine minutes to go.
Lianne Sanderson came on with nine minutes to go.
Siobhan Chamberlain and Casey Stoney were unused subs.
England U19: Leah Williamson, Carla Humphrey, Vyan Sampson and Frances Steele have been called up for an England camp prior to the 10 nations tournament in La Manga in early March.
Transfer NEWS : one in and one out
Chioma Ubogagu a forward from Stanford University has signed for Arsenal.
Her university record is quite good and she had been drafted in 28th position by Sky blue FC in the NWSL.
Her university statistics can be found here.
Freda Ayisi left the Arsenal Ladies and moved on to Birmingham City Ladies, where she will be an asset to them as she has a different profile from their main centre forward Kirsty Linnett.
Freda came through the Arsenal Center of Excellence and it is always good to see homegrown players make it to the first team.
Unfortunately for her, with three forwards being signed during the transfer window, she would have got little, if any, playing time this season.
Squad numbers update
