Arsenal Women return to action tonight as they travel to face Benfica in Portugal. Their recent 1-0 win against Brighton ended a poor run of form for Renée Slegers’ side, who will now be looking to carry that momentum into Europe.
The Gunners are still searching for their first UEFA Women’s Champions League win of the season after a narrow 2-1 defeat to Lyon in their opening group game. Benfica also lost their opener 2-1 to Juventus, despite taking the lead early on. Interestingly, this will be Arsenal’s first ever competitive meeting with Benfica Women since the club’s formation in 2017, and their first clash against a Portuguese side in the main stages of the competition.
Competition: Women’s Champions League – Round 2
Kick-off: 8:00 PM (GMT)
Venue: Estádio do Sport Lisboa e Benfica (da Luz), Lisboa
Referee: Miriama Bockova
Arsenal’s fitness update ahead of Benfica clash
Arsenal have no new injury concerns heading into the tie, and Renée Slegers provided a positive update on the recovery of Leah Williamson. The England defender has been sidelined with a long-term injury but appears to be making good progress.
Slegers said via Arsenal: “Yeah, she’s progressing well. She did her first session on the pitch yesterday, which was good. Exact timeline we’ll have to see day by day, week by week. But we hope to see her back before Christmas. That would be great. But like I said, then everything has to go to plan.”
Predicted line-up and score prediction
Predicted XI:
Daphne Van Domselaar, Emily Fox, Katie Reid, Steph Catley, Katie McCabe, Victoria Pelova, Kim Little (c), Mariona Caldentey, Beth Mead, Alessia Russo, Caitlin Foord.
Score prediction: 2-2. What’s your prediction? Leave it in the comments below.
Benjamin Kenneth
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I hope the likes of Cooney Cross and Pelova gat more game time tonight. For me as good as Little has been for us, she just continually slows play down to much now.
At least with Cooney Cross and Pelova the team should have more drive in midfield.
And also, the wide players need to start creating for Russo. She gets through so much work outside the box, it’s diluting what she can do inside the box given the chance.
Overall the team need to wake up, or this could yet be another false dawn of a season, trying to chase down that elusive WPL Title.
Is it the stadium Arsenal Women lifted the UCL trophy last season? Losing back to back matches makes progression highly unlikely so today is a must win match. Beaten by top team Lyon maybe plausible but losing to this inexperienced Benfica team raises critical questions on top of the current dismal run in WSL.
Ambachew,
The stadium the women are playing at tonight, although it’s in Lisbon. Its at the Estadio de luz, which is 3 kilometers away from the Jose Alva lade Stadium where the Women recently won the Champions League.
That’s according to Google. 👍
Thanks Derek for the clarification. Again own goal helped Arsenal Women. Last time v Brighton and tonight v Benfica. OWN GOALS!! Russo added the 2nd at 89′ . Benfica 0-2 Arsenal Women. Lisboa karma last season and tonight.
Derek & Ambachew. Quoting BBC Sport, the venue was Estádio do Sport Lisboa e Benfica (da Luz) and Beth Mead scored our first goal.
Thanks Jax, quoting Livescore report the centre back Diana Gomes scored an own goal. In Arsenal official report Gomes in clumsy fashion turned the ball to her goal but replays indicated Mead got the final touch. It’s somewhat controversial but the jury is UEFA report which I couldn’t get. Most outlets however gave to Mead which serves to rekindle the morale of the hitherto toothless forwards. 2 goals scored by 2 different forwards. This department received huge investment in the summer.
Yeah, let’s credit Beth. It was a scrappy goal, but she needs the boost.
Watching on the .com highlightes, it was a good piece of work by Beth who guided the ball away from the keeper who’d set herself to stop it. So IMO, a deserved goal.
While I’m happy with the last two results, from a performance point of view its not very easy on the eye is it.
13 attempts on goal, and yes while the two on target found the net. They certainly need to do some shooting practice, 2 from 13 does not make for good reading.
Again a lot of possession without looking anywhere near menacing enough going forward.
But all that said a very much needed 3 points to kick start their Champions League defense.
I see Zinsberger’s season is over. Yet another ACL hits the women’s game.
Get well soon Miss Zinsberger. 👍
Only Jax and Derek commenting. Not a good read esp when the men football is taking a break. Thank you indeed both. I think Arsenal bought already an experienced stand by goalie beside Van the Dutch. So Zins injury may not be impactful. Zins afterall is a sub goalie.
Ambachew,
Are you complaining that it’s only me and Jax commenting. 😂🤣👍
Derek I always appreciate your involvement. I’m not complaining but I’m saying why only 3 or 4 comment on news regarding Arsenal Women team. Like many do comment in numbers on men team why not those people do same in the women team? I would love if Gooners have interest in the women team as well. It’s the brand and the shirt.
Derek I always appreciate your involvement. I’m not complaining but I’m saying why only 3 or 4 comment on news regarding Arsenal Women team. Like many do comment in numbers on men team why not those people do same in the women team? I would love if Gooners have interest in the women team as well. It’s the brand and the shirt.
Ambachew,
Its always nice to feel appreciated. Thank you.👍😊