Arsenal are back in action in the league on Sunday following the international break with a potential banana skin against an ever-improving Birmingham City team.

BOREHAMWOOD, ENGLAND - OCTOBER 18: Caitlin Foord of Arsenal celebrates with teammates Beth Mead after scoring her team's sixth goal during the Barclays FA Women's Super League match between Arsenal Women and Tottenham Hotspur Women at Meadow Park on October 18, 2020 in Borehamwood, England. Sporting stadiums around the UK remain under strict restrictions due to the Coronavirus Pandemic as Government social distancing laws prohibit fans inside venues resulting in games being played behind closed doors. (Photo by Catherine Ivill/Getty Images)
BOREHAMWOOD, ENGLAND – OCTOBER 18: Caitlin Foord of Arsenal celebrates with teammates Beth Mead after scoring her team’s sixth goal during the Barclays FA Women’s Super League match between Arsenal Women and Tottenham Hotspur Women at Meadow Park on October 18, 2020 (Photo by Catherine Ivill/Getty Images)

As the Arsenal players come back from international duty and it is no surprise to note that one of them has come back injured and will miss the Birmingham game. Saying that, there was positive news overall with only three players remain on the treatment table: Noelle Maritz, Lia Walti and Viktoria Schnaderbeck.

It means Joe Montemurro will have the luxury of choosing from 15 outfield players and three goalkeepers. Some players will have to work hard to get into the starting 11 from now on.

So who could get a start on Sunday?

In goal, it will be interesting to see if the manager introduces competition for the number one shirt will Lydia Williams, who impressed against Spurs, and Manuela Zinsberger who alternates between fantastic, average and, below par performances.

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At left-back, Katie McCabe should get the nod and Steph Catley, who is back from injury, likely to be given a run-out late in the game. It would not make sense to throw her straight in the starting line-up due to her lack of match fitness.

At right-back, it should be between Leonie Maier and Lotte Wubben-Moy, for who will pair Leah Williamson at centre-back.

At centre-back,  Williamson is undroppable and will be partnered either by Jenny Beattie or Lotte Wubben-Moy, who has played well alongside Leah in the Lionesses intra-squad game.

In central midfield, Kim Little is an automatic choice, and either Malin Gut or Danielle van de Donk will link with her unless the manager wants to give Jordan Nobbs a run-out from the start. The attacking midfielder spot should be Jill Roord’s, unless Jordan Nobbs or Danielle van de Donk get a surprise start there.

Up front, Vivianne Miedema will start after being rested during the international break. Then you have Beth Mead, Caitlin Foord, Danielle van de Donk, Lisa Evans and Jordan Nobbs fighting for two places from the three up top.

One of the factors that will come into play is international minutes played as certain players featured in the full 180 in the last two weeks and might need a rest:

https://twitter.com/etiawneb/status/1334561122452705289

With that in mind this is the XI I expect to see tomorrow:

Lydia Williams; Leonie Maier, Leah Williamson, Lotte Wubben-Moy, Katie McCabe; Kim Little, Malin Gut, Jill Roord; Lisa Evans, Vivianne Miedema, Caitlin Foord.

Substitutes: Manuela Zinsberger, Steph Catley, Jennifer Beattie, Ruby Mace, Danielle van de Donk, Jordan Nobbs, Beth Mead

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