Arsenal women vs West Ham women has been postponed due to a frozen pitch and extreme weather warnings.
A statement on Arsenal.com added, “The Barclays FA Women’s Super League fixture was due to kick off at 12pm GMT, however following a pitch inspection at 9:30am and extreme weather warnings this weekend, we have had to postpone the fixture.
“Information about a rescheduled fixture will be released in due course.”
Arsenal predicted XI vs West Ham
Arsenal have a must win game at home to West Ham in order to stay in the Champions League race and following last week’s disappointing performance you would expect the team to come out firing on all cylinders.
Due to the Covid-19 case at the club and seven players having to isolate after Christmas, the starting XI last week was really surprising and the system did not work out as players struggled to adapt to it. Fitness level were not high either and it is a reminder that not training really impact the players’ fitness.
Therefore, you would expect Joe Montemurro to select a typical starting XI in the usual 4-3-3 system that has brought results through the years. It is good to note that only three players are currently injured: Viki Schnaderbeck, Steph Catley and Jordan Nobbs. Therefore, Joe Montemurro has a squad of 20 players to choose from and can fill up the whole bench with nine players. He has to make key choices for this must win game.
In goal, I would expect Lydia Williams to start if fit as Manuela Zinsberger is quite a hit or miss in goal and Fran Stenson is still a bit young.
At right-back, there are many choices but Lisa Evans offers so much there in terms of attacking threat that she should be selected ahead of Leonie Maier and Anna Patten. Unless Montemurro decides to get Noelle Maritz back into the groove at right-back, or also potentially at left-back.
The centre back pairing should see the return of Leah Williamson and Jennifer Beattie, should they be back to full fitness of course. If one of them is not fit Anna Patten or Lotte Wubben-Moy are ready to deputise.
At left-back, Katie McCabe should get the nod after a good performance last week, unless Noelle Maritz gets a run-out there as mentioned
In midfield, the double pivot will be Kim Little and Lia Walti. These are two key players in terms of building up play and controlling the midfield. The third midfielder should be either Jill Roord or Jordan Nobbs, if she is back to full fitness.
Up front, the attacking trio of Mead, Miedema and Foord have shown excellent understanding and team play and therefore should be starting if all the players are 100% fit.
So, the starting XI should be close to Williams; Evans, Williamson, Beattie, McCabe; Little, Walti, Nobbs; Mead, Miedema, Foord and the subs Zinsberger, Stenson, Maier, Patten, Wubben-Moy, Martiz, Gut, van de donk, Mace.