Arsenal Women have announced a surprisingly strong squad for their upcoming friendly against the A-League All Stars Women in Melbourne.

Despite concerns about player availability due to international commitments and injuries, the Gunners have assembled a talented group for the trip Down Under.

LIVERPOOL, ENGLAND - APRIL 28: Courtney Brosnan of Everton react whilst Alessia Russo of Arsenal celebrates scoring her team's first goal during the Barclays Women´s Super League match between Everton FC and Arsenal FC at Walton Hall Park on April 28, 2024 in Liverpool, England. (Photo by Ben Roberts Photo/Getty Images)
LIVERPOOL, ENGLAND – APRIL 28: Courtney Brosnan of Everton react whilst Alessia Russo of Arsenal celebrates scoring her team’s first goal during the Barclays Women´s Super League match between Everton FC and Arsenal FC at Walton Hall Park on April 28, 2024 in Liverpool, England. (Photo by Ben Roberts Photo/Getty Images)

Arsenal have announced the squad that will take part in the friendly against the A-League All Stars Women and it is stronger than expected.

With the international break coming up straight after the game, it was feared many players involved in the Euro 2025 qualifiers, as well as those going to the other side of the world with their NT friendlies would not take part in the trip.

In the end, many senior players are on the plane to Melbourne.

The full squad is as follows:

We have a guest goalkeeper in Sarah Bouhaddi and Kathrine Kuhl comes back in the squad straight at the end of her loan. Youngsters Goldie, Reid, Earl, Harbert, Lia and Godfrey are included and should see some game time.

The following senior players are missing: Wubben-Moy, Walti, Blackstenius and Hurtig are injured. Ilestedt is pregnant. Miedema, Marckese and D’Angelo are out of contract and leaving the club. Zinsberger, Mead, Codina, Williamson, Wienroither are rested with all those players taking part in the Euros 2025 qualifiers. Agyemang has school exams to attend.

With McCabe, Pelova, Kuhl, Maanum and Russo on the trip and playing in the qualifiers too, you would expect the club to not make them play more than 45 minutes during that game. So I would expect a starting XI looking like this: Bouhaddi; Fox, Reid, Catley, McCabe; Cooney-Cross, Pelova, Little; Lacasse, Russo, Foord.

Then half-time subs with Goldie on for McCabe with Catley moving to left-back. Kuhl for Pelova, Maanum for Russo. Williams coming on during the second half for Bouhaddi, Lia and Godfrey on for Foord and Fox with Lacasse going to right-back, Earl and Harbert late on for Little and Cooney-Cross.

At the end of the day, that trip is a superb business opportunity for the club and it is also great for the fans to be able to see the players live rather than on TV. Let’s hope no one comes back injured from the trip and all the players are ready and fit to play in the qualifiers and international friendlies.