Jordan Nobbs enjoyed a scoring return to football on Sunday, nine months after doing her ACL against Everton and her return now gives Joe Montemurro a welcome headache.

jordan nobbs return
Photo by Kunjan Malde Photography

She scored only a few minutes after coming on and looked really sturdy when she was on the receiving end of some strong Spurs challenges.

Nobbs came on at half-time for Kim Little and played in the number 10 position with Danielle van de Donk and Jill Roord as the other two midfielders playing behind her to the joy of all the home fans.

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And then came her goal.

It was a fantastic team effort with play starting with the keeper Manuela Zinsberger to Katrin Veje who laid it off to Katie McCabbe. Her return ball found the Danish winger on the left wing who passed it to Vivianne Miedema who sent it straight to Nobbs for a first time finish. The Spurs players were nowhere to be found on that play.

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It is fair to say Nobbs passed the game-day test with flying colours.

She actually made hr return in a behind-closed-doors game against West Ham last week, playing a few minutes, but the Spurs game was her official return to the team.

Jordan also had a few words after game for the fans:

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Jordan’s return means there will be increased competition for a starting place in Arsenal’s midfield three. With Lia Wälti also close to coming back to full fitness, Joe Montemurro will have a few headaches very soon.

It will be hard to choose between Kim Little, Danielle van de Donk, Jill Roord, Jordan Nobbs and Lia Wälti. With two centre-backs as potential back-ups in Leah Williamson, who has been the preferred back-up option, and Viktoria Schnaderbeck, who is listed on the website as a midfielder as well.

If you add the three youngsters, Ruby Grant, Melissa Filis, and Silvana Flores, Arsenal are more than equipped to deal with any problems in that area.

I think the most balanced midfield three is Wälti, Nobbs and Little. That way, you have a number six, eight and ten-type all together. The old school way.

Wälti brings the team balance in attacking and defensive transitions. Nobbs brings her energy and explosive runs from deep to stretch the opposition while Little comes in as the playmaker who orientates and dictates play in the build-up, based on possession.

The mix of those three players guarantees all types of attacks are covered, especially with the quick wingers and the powerful centre forward that complement that midfield so well.