Arsenal Women continue their impressive run, attracting a sell-out crowd of 60,050 to the Emirates Stadium for their 1-0 victory over Tottenham Hotspur.
Alessia Russo’s decisive goal and strong performances from the team highlight their dominance and growing fan base.
Arsenal managed to sell out a second consecutive game at the Emirate Stadium with 60,050 fans attending to see a 1-0 win thanks to Alessia Russo’s goal. That’s more than 10 Premier League men’s teams managed this weekend.
As expected, Arsenal had to call four youngsters to the bench to fill up the squad, so Naomi Williams, Katie Reid, Madison Earl and Vivienne Lia made the squad but did not get a game.
The starting XI was very much as expected with Manuela Zinsberger in goal, a back four of Katie McCabe, Laia Codina, Lotte Wubben-Moy and Steph Catley. A midfield three of Victoria Pelova, Lia Wälti and Kim Little. Up front Beth Mead, Alessia Russo and Caitlin Foord.
All four senior players on the bench were used Stina Blackstenius, Frida Maanum, Leah Williamson and Kyra Cooney-Cross. What we saw is the current lack of back-up solutions on the wings as Maanum ended up playing on the left-wing when she came on.
In theory, we could play Katie McCabe there, but she is needed at right-back as Emily Fox is still at the Gold Cup as is the other left winger Cloe Lacasse. And, of course, Lina Hurtig is out with a back injury.
The game was as expected with Arsenal playing against a deep block and a team that is quick on the counter-attack, too. As always, it takes a lot of patience to find solutions and we saw a very good use of the wings, as well as central penetration. It was quite clear that having Kim Little back at number 10 has a huge impact as she knows how to play in tight spaces in the final third.
It was a key win as Chelsea and Manchester City also won on the day, while Manchester United drew. It means Chelsea and Manchester City are three points ahead of us, while Manchester United and Liverpool are nine points behind and therefore not likely to come back for the third place.
This means Champions League qualification for next season looks very likely now.
The title race is also very much on as long as Arsenal win away to Chelsea and Manchester City. Chelsea playing eight games this month against our five means we can take advantage of their potential tiredness when we play them.
Attention now turns to the Continental Cup semi-finals that will take place on Wednesday. Arsenal will be at home to Aston Villa while City will be at home to Chelsea. While we are short of senior players with 16 available, Aston Villa are in a worse situation with only 14 senior players available including our former players Anna Patten and Jordan Nobbs, while Lucy Parker is currently injured.
Should we qualify on Wednesday, the final would take place at Molineux on Sunday 31 March with a 3pm kick-off live on BBC. That would mean the League game at home to Bristol would be postponed.