Renee Slegers’ side brushed aside Leicester 4-1 to maintain momentum ahead of next weekend’s title showdown with Chelsea, but injuries continue to limit her options.
Arsenal showed no ill effects from the international break, aside from numerous injuries, with a comfortable 4-1 win at Leicester that gives the team good momentum heading into the Chelsea game next Saturday.
Arsenal are currently fifth with 14 points, five behind leaders Chelsea, and, given that the title holders rarely drop points, this will be a must-win game.
The four teams ahead of the Gunners (Chelsea, Manchester City, Manchester United and Tottenham) all won at the weekend, meaning no change at either end of the table.
Liverpool and West Ham remain without a point after six and seven games respectively.
Renee Slegers had sold the press a dummy on Friday by saying everyone was fit except Manuela Zinsberger and Leah Williamson. When the teamsheet was released, four more players were missing: Olivia Smith, Frida Maanum, Kyra Cooney-Cross and Lotte Wubben-Moy.
She said in the mixed zone, “It’s small knocks, niggles and illnesses. So I’m hoping to get some back for the Chelsea game, but we’ll see how everything progresses during the week.”
It meant three players were in a WSL squad for the first time: Jenna Nighswonger, Sophie Harwood and Amy Liddiard. Nighswonger came on for the final 15 minutes, becoming the 20th player used by Renee Slegers this season.
Among the professionals yet to feature are Manuela Zinsberger, who is out for the season with an ACL injury, and Leah Williamson, who has not yet returned from the knee injury sustained at the Euros. Anneke Borbe, the third goalkeeper, is the only other professional without game time. Academy players Sophie Harwood and Amy Liddiard have also not yet featured, as expected.
Laia Codina made her first start, Emily Fox was rested, and Taylor Hinds played very well at right-back. Beth Mead was in brilliant form on one wing, as was Caitlin Foord on the other. Stina Blackstenius was also superb in a game that suited her tactically.
Considering Leicester play with the same system as Chelsea, using a back three with high wing-backs, it was an ideal rehearsal for next Saturday’s game.
There will be plenty of space to attack between Chelsea’s back three and their wing-backs. We saw Freya Godfrey exploit that space repeatedly on Saturday, so a fit Olivia Smith or Beth Mead should be able to do the same, with Caitlin Foord offering a similar threat on the opposite side.
The main question will be how many players return from injury. Arsenal should have a strong starting XI next Saturday, but may still be short of game changers on the bench, having named two goalkeepers and only 19 players against Leicester.