Arsenal host rivals Chelsea in a crucial Women’s Super League clash at the Emirates.
The Gunners have made a poor start to the new season with Jonas Eidevall already under pressure following a 5-2 thrashing at the hands of Bayern Munich in the Champions League this week. Eidevall described the visit of champions Chelsea as “must-win” with his side winning just one of their opening three games of the season, and could be knocked out of the title race already should Chelsea continue their winning start.
The Blues have made a fine start under Sonia Bompastor with a 3-2 victory over Real Madrid on Tuesday night adding to opening wins against Aston Villa and Crystal Palace in the WSL. Under Emma Hayes, Chelsea lost this fixture 4-1 at the Emirates last season but roared back to win their fifth consecutive title, although it was the Gunners who triumphed in the Continental Cup final last March.
Follow live updates from Arsenal vs Chelsea in the Women’s Super League in this afternoon’s live blog.
Jonas Eidevall talks up Chelsea ahead of Emirates test
Arsenal sit sixth in the table coming into Saturday’s game against Chelsea and Eidevall insisted he is looking forward to a challenging game.
“The games that they have played, you can see that (Sonia Bompastor’s) set a clear trademark on how they’re playing, both in and out of possession,” Eidevall added.
“I think they look like a really good football team, so it’s going to be a match between two really good football teams and we look forward to that challenge.”
Chris Wilson12 October 2024 13:35
Bompastor speaks pre-game
In her pre-match press conference yesterday, new Chelsea manager Sonia Bompastor told the media that her team are “ready for a big game, a derby” against Arsenal.
She added that her players are mentally ready to play at the Emirates, and although it’s a “special” fixture, the Blues boss believes it’s “three points, the same as the other ones”.
Chris Wilson12 October 2024 13:30
Form guide
Arsenal currently sit sixth in the WSL after their first three matches, having won one and drawn two. They beat Leicester City 1-0, and have drawn 2-2 to Manchester City and 0-0 with Everton.
In the Champions League, they lost 5-2 to Bayern Munich in midweek.
Chris Wilson12 October 2024 13:22
Form guide
Chelsea sit second in the WSL after two games this season, having beaten Aston Villa 1-0 and Crystal Palace 7-0. They sit one point behind Manchester City, who have won two and drawn one of their opening three matches.
In midweek, Chelsea ran out 3-2 winners against Real Madrid in their opening match of the Women’s Champions League.
Chris Wilson12 October 2024 13:15
Head-to-head
These two sides have met a total of 59 times, with Arsenal winning 32, Chelsea winning 21 and six ending as draws.
Their most recent competitive meeting came in the League Cup final last season, when Arsenal ran out 1-0 winners thanks to a goal from Emma Blackstenius.
Chris Wilson12 October 2024 13:07
Chelsea ready for ‘tough’ Arsenal in derby to savour
After last weekend’s fixture against Manchester United was postponed due to congestion concerns, Chelsea were in Champions League action on Tuesday, opening their campaign with a 3-2 win against Real Madrid.
Head coach Sonia Bompastor reflected on a good performance from her side, telling a press conference: “I think we played on Tuesday and had a good result.
“We were able to manage the week the way we wanted to and we’re ready for tomorrow, a big game, a derby and that’s the most important for us to get in a place where we want to.”
Unbeaten Chelsea make the short trip to north London for Saturday’s game at the Emirates and Bompastor is looking forward to the derby experience.
She said: “Being a manager I know what it is to play a derby from my experience, even if it was not the same ones, it was still derbies.
“When you are a competitive person – I know my players are competitive, I am competitive – we just want to play these games in front of fans, in a nice stadium with a very tough team.”
Lawrence Ostlere12 October 2024 12:57
Arsenal vs Chelsea confirmed team news and line-ups
Arsenal make four changes from the midweek defeat at Bayern, with Daphne van Domselaar starting in goal. Lotte Wubben-Moy, Beth Mead and Alessia Russo also return to the starting line-up.
Chelsea make just two changes from the win over Real Madrid as Hannah Hampton returns in goal following illness and Kadeisha Buchanan starts following suspension. Wieke Kaptein keeps her place in midfield, but Erin Cuthbert is back on the bench.
Arsenal XI: Van Domselaar; Fox, Wubben-Moy, Williamson, McCabe; Walti, Little; Foord, Mead, Caldentey; Russo
Chelsea XI: Hampton, Bronze, Buchanan, Bright, Baltimore; Nusken, Kaptein, Reiten, James, Rytting Kaneryd; Ramirez
Jamie Braidwood12 October 2024 12:49
Jonas Eidevall: Bayern defeat left Arsenal with ‘bitter feeling’
Arsenal boss Jonas Eidevall has urged his side to put their disappointing midweek Champions League trip to Bayern Munich behind them ahead of their Women’s Super League clash with Chelsea.
A late hat-trick from former Blues forward Pernille Harder saw the Gunners defeated 5-2 in Munich on Wednesday night, just days after a frustrating goalless draw in the league to Everton.
Reflecting on the Bayern defeat, Eidevall told a press conference: “I think it’s the same as I said after the game, our first half is in many parts a decent game of football from our side.
“We’re really disappointed with how we acted in the last 15-20 minutes in the game and I think the last two goals we conceded should not happen like that.
“That of course leaves us with a bitter feeling; it’s a tough learning point for us to take but we need to do that in order to get to where we want to be and we need to look forward to tomorrow.”
Lawrence Ostlere12 October 2024 12:36
Arsenal v Chelsea – predicted line-ups
Arsenal XI: Zinsberger, McCabe, Codina, Williamson, Fox, Walti, Little, Foord, Mead, Caldentey, Russo
Chelsea XI: Musovic, Baltimore, Bjorn, Bright, Bronze, James, Nusken, Kaptein, Reiten, Ramirez, Rytting Kaneryd
Lawrence Ostlere12 October 2024 12:24
Arsenal v Chelsea – team news
Leah Williamson and Steph Catley are expected to be available for the match after recovering from their recent injuries. Laura Wienroither and Lina Hurtig are still on the sidelines however, with Victoria Pelova continuing her recovery from an ACL injury.
Lawrence Ostlere12 October 2024 12:13