Arsenal Women return to Women’s Super League action this afternoon with one of the biggest fixtures on the calendar, as Renée Slegers’ side make the short trip across London to face Chelsea at Stamford Bridge.
The Gunners head into the derby with five points from their opening three WSL matches, having recorded one win and two draws. Arsenal will know there is plenty of room for improvement in front of goal after scoring just twice so far, but Sunday provides the perfect opportunity to make a statement against one of their biggest domestic rivals.
There is certainly no shortage of anticipation ahead of another meeting between these two London heavyweights.
Slegers expects Chelsea and Arsenal to go for it
The Arsenal boss has made it clear that she expects a very different type of contest to one where either side simply sits back and waits for opportunities on the counter.
Slegers believes both teams have the quality and intensity to take the game to each other, while Arsenal will also need to remain defensively solid when Chelsea threaten.
Looking ahead to the contest, she said:
“It’s going to be a game where two teams are really going to go after it”
That should make for an entertaining afternoon at Stamford Bridge, but Arsenal also need to turn encouraging elements of their performances into goals and, crucially, victories.
Slegers has acknowledged that the Gunners wanted more points from their opening fixtures and that the two draws were not the results they were looking for.
A big early-season test for the Gunners
There is still a long way to go in the WSL campaign, but fixtures between Arsenal and Chelsea rarely require any additional motivation.
For Slegers and her players, this represents an opportunity to produce the kind of performance that can provide momentum heading into the next stage of the season.
Chelsea will provide a major test, but Arsenal know the qualities they possess themselves and Slegers expects her team to be ready for the battle.
Kick-off at Stamford Bridge is 4.30pm UK time on Sunday. Supporters in the UK can watch this match live on Sky Sports Main Event.
Can Arsenal secure a huge London derby victory at Stamford Bridge, and who do you think will make the difference for the Gunners? Let us know your predictions in the comments below.
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I wonder if the girls will have their scoring boots on today. So far this season they’ve been underwhelming. Their usual slow start, should their next two games go pair-shaped, I believe it will be time to look at Sleger’s position.
Although I think that should already be happening if I’m honest. Playing a right back at left back in place of an actual left back in Hinds is ridiculous, and playing you’re top scorer as a 10 is equally so.
Big question marks on this manager a far as I’m concerned.
This game will deliver chelsea women 2 and Arsenal women 1 that’s my prediction for the game
Chelsea 1-0 Arsenal Women. FT. Next against leaders Man City. The worst is yet to come. The club is too lenient with Slegers. She won’t leave by her own accord. The sacked Man Utd coach Skinner in my opinion
Arsenal Women 62 goal attempts in 4 games just scored 2 goals.
The coach uses the prolific England striker Russo as a no. 10 and yet she complains players are not scoring from counter attacks nor set pieces. Baffling
McCabe happy today after the game so will be Mead next week.2 former Gunners who left Arsenal in the summer to Chelsea and City
Amba,
And I see Pelova is blossoming at Spurs to.
DEREK
Yeah also Kafaji, Mead and McCabe. I think Pelova’s Spurs are currently 2nd and 5 pts ahead of Arsenal.
Amba,
The thing is with the likes of Mead, Pelova, McCabe all being out of contract we don’t know the conversations that went on.
Did these players want to leave, did Arsenal not want to renew their contracts, or was it a bit of both.
As I heard it regards McCabe, she was told at the beginning of last season that her contract wasn’t going to be renewed. But towards the end of the season Arsenal changed their mind and offered her a new contract. But she had already decided to try a new challenge.
For me, I would have certainly tried to keep Mead and Pelova. I said in another post that my fear is they will strengthen our rivals, and so far that fear is well founded.
Mead went to City to reunite with her spouse Miediema
amba & Derek,
I shouldn’t be saying this, as it’s political, but I was glad to see the back of McCabe. A nasty piece of work who should have been got rid of when she showed vocal support for a proscribed terrorist group.
didn’t know that. can you please?
Sorry amba, I won’t say any more on it🤐, but it’s still out there, just Google “did Katie McCabe show vocal support etc, etc.”
Okay Jax.
Thank you very much
HT፡ Paris FC 0-1 Arsenal Women. Russo goal
Paris 2-2 Arsenal Women after leading 2-0. The 2nd Paris goal is comical to say the least.
Did Gabriel make similar silly mistake last season vs Bayern Munich but not punished? Unexpected from the two veterans in Leah and the goalie. Let’s hope it’s just a howler to look generous.
The coach refusal to attend media duties may signal her end which we all sincerely need maybe including the two
Amba,
I was thinking the same regarding Slegers no show. Something is just not right. 6 games played and just 6 goals scored.
She constantly changes the team, plays players out of position, she plays Caldentey in three different positions in the same game it would seem.
And as you know Amba, I’m constantly on my soap-box regarding her treatment of Hinds. I think she for one wouldn’t be sorry to see the back of Slegers, amongst some other’s I suspect.
DEREK,
Only 1 win so far. Sunday at Man City swansong? Brutal UCL fixtures ahead as you mentioned v Barca and Lyon. She can’t
I’m starting to get more and more Eidevall vibes about Slegers.
Her latest excuse is the referee kept getting in the line of their passes. No doubt she had listened to the previous evenings complaint from the Real Madrid coach complaining about the very same thing.
For me Slegers should be on borrowed time. Arsenal women have a good squad, but they certainly need a better manager to get a tune out of them.
Sure DEREK. If she has to leave better to do now before too late too little
DEREK
Your expressed it quite funnily. She copied that shouldn’t be. Tomorrow after being thumped by City maybe the ball or the inclement weather etc
Not yet the preview? If Man City beat us the 10 point deficit is never surmountable. Adios to our 8 year title ambitions just in October.