Coming back from the Christmas break, Arsenal Women will have to hit the ground running as they go straight into a Champions League-place decider against local rivals, Chelsea.

Joe Montemurro faces a hard task inhis second game in charge with a win needed against arguably the best team in England at the moment.

3Predicted XI

Joe Montemurro
Joe Montemurro

It’s quite difficult to know who will be selected as it will be only the second line-up from Joe Montemurro with the previous one weeks ago and things changing since then.

Tactically, a 4-3-3 is expected but the manager could also match Chelsea’s shape with a back three in 3-4-3 or 3-4-1-2.

In goal Sari Van Veenendaal is the first choice and should play unless she is injured. Her deputy Anna Moorhouse is solid these days so there are no concerns here.

At right-back, the first choice is injured and the back-up is the Arsenal Captain Alex Scott.

Considering she is on TV duty Saturday at Fleetwood v Leicester for the FA Cup and therefore missing training, you don’t expect her to be at the optimum fitness level and being in semi-retirement already – especially not as she’s been on the sofa all week with ‘flu as well.

https://twitter.com/AlexScott/status/949407298115514369

Therefore, I expect winger Lisa Evans to reprise her role as she was very effective against Sunderland in a very attacking position. Alternatively, Monetmurro could choose Dominique Janssen who is more defensively minded.

At left-back, it is a straight battle between the experienced Emma Mitchell and the England u20 youngster, Taylor Hinds. The Scotland defender should get the nod but knows that she needs to perform well to keep her place in the squad.

The two centre backs should be Jemma Rose and Louise Quinn, unless Joe Montemurro wants a platform to build play from the back then Leah Williamson comes in there.

The midfield three picks itself up with Leah Williamson in the 6 role, Jordan Nobbs in the number 8 role and Danielle Van De Donk in the number 10 role.

Up front, there are so many candidates for three places.

Anna Miedema should be the central striker with Danielle Carter and Bethany Mead in good form alongside her.

Heather O’Reilly is obviously a strong candidate for a starting 11 place but I think her recent form has not been as good as Mead and Carter.