Arsenal face Sunderland on Sunday in what will be the first game of new manager, Joe Montemurro’s reign.

He will not, however, be present as he finalises his move from Australia to London.

More about Joe Montemurro and what a great appointment it is here

The set-up

Arsenal go into this game already five points from the top of the table and the Champions League places.

Since sacking Pedro Losa at the end of October, they have played three, won two and lost one, scoring eight and conceding four in the process.

Only one of those games, however, was in the league – a 2-0 win away to Everton, a side desperately trying to outdo their men’s team by rooting themselves near the bottom of the table with zero points from their first four games [Edit – Everton did manage to get a win this weekend, beating the still-pointless Yeovil]. 

Sunderland are struggling to score while also letting the opposition net at will. 10 conceded in four games is, however, only marginally worse than the eight Arsenal have let in, but the Gunners have managed to find the net themselves eight times this season, while only Bristol City and Yeovil Town have scored fewer than Melanie Reay’s side.

Reading, who sit above Arsenal in third on goal difference, host league leaders Chelsea this weekend. Dropped points is a real possibility for the Royals against a side that has won four out of four without conceding a single goal. Chelsea have also scored more than anyone else in the division, meaning that Manchester City’s 100% start is not enough to move them higher than second.

Chelsea, therefore, could well open the door for Arsenal to leapfrog Reading and go clear in third, but only if they focus on the job at hand at Meadow Park on Sunday.

Next, the opposition

The opposition

The Black Cats are just one point behind Arsenal after four games which probably says more about the Gunners than anything else.

Their goal difference, however, sits at a terrible minus 7 (compared to Arsenal’s 0) but the club has much more to worry about than shipping 10 goals in 4 league games.

A recent statement from Sunderland stated, “Sunderland AFC has today confirmed that the club will not be applying for an FA Women’s Super League (FA WSL) Licence in the first wave of applications. Instead, the club will focus on a joint bid for a Tier One licence in March.

Applications are currently open to existing FA WSL clubs, but due to the collaborative nature of Sunderland’s intended bid it would not be appropriate for the club to apply at this stage.

A club spokesperson said: “Sunderland AFC are committed to supporting women’s football and a joint approach, with combined resources, makes for a better and more sustainable model.

“We have been working with our partners to ensure that we continue to provide the opportunity for elite female footballers in the North East to compete at the top level.””

Next, injury news

Injury news

Arsenal go into this game with injury concerns for four players.

Kim Little is still out with the knee injury she picked up earlier in the year. She is targeting a return in April.

Vyan Sampson is another long-term absentee.

Jessica Samuelsson, who initially hoped to be out for only a few weeks, will now not return for some time after undergoing surgery on her foot.

Josephine Henning is still on crutches.

Leah Williamson was injured against Reading and had to be substituted at half time.

Next, predicted XI

Predicted XI

As Montemurro won’t be at the game, it is likely that Ismael Garcia will select the side.

As such, we expect Arsenal to line up as follows:

Van Veenendaal; Scott Rose Quinn Mitchell; Janssen Nobbs Van De Donk; Carter Mediema Mead.