Women’s Super League football returns to Emirates Stadium as Arsenal Women face West Ham United. The Gunners’ run of London derbies continues. The match is scheduled for Saturday, March 21 (12pm UK).
Arsenal Aim to Extend Winning Streak
Arsenal extended their winning run in all competitions to eight matches with a 2-0 win away to London City Lionesses. They will be looking to continue their unbeaten record against London rivals this season. The last match at Emirates Stadium saw Arsenal secure a 1-0 win over Manchester City in February.
West Ham’s Turnaround Under Guarino
West Ham endured a difficult start to the season, losing their opening seven league games, one of which was a 5-1 defeat to Arsenal. Since bringing in manager Rita Guarino in December, things have improved for the Hammers. The east London side came into the new year with just five points in the league, but have earned seven over their last five games.
After a 2-1 win over relegation rivals Leicester City, West Ham beat Brighton 3-2 after being 2-0 down in the 81st minute. This result lifted West Ham off the bottom of the league table. Defeats to Everton in the league and Brighton in the FA Cup then threatened to dampen the mood in east London as Guarino saw her side lose back-to-back games for the first time in her tenure.
West Ham secured a 0-0 draw with Manchester United at the Chigwell Construction Stadium. West Ham now travel to north London three points off the bottom of the WSL table, albeit with bottom side Leicester having played a game less.
Team News and Manager Quotes
Arsenal’s Slegers said: “We know what they can bring with really hard work. With all the play, with runs in behind, with dribbles. So we’ll have to be really disciplined when we defend. They got rewards for their hard work against United.
“They kept spaces really small, they defended as a unit all together, so if they do that against us as well at the Emirates tomorrow then we’ll have to be prepared to break them down and they will not make it easy for us.”
West Ham’s Guarino said: “Arsenal create a lot of chances, so it’s another game we need to be focused on defensively. We know how strong they are and how dangerous they can be.
“We studied all the scenarios that they can play in. But in a way, nothing changes because in every shape, they are strong, so we need to be focused on what we need to do. I think about us.”
Injury Concerns for Arsenal
Frida Maanum has been ill over the past week so is unlikely to feature in Saturday’s London derby. Leah Williamson is also a doubt after battling a hamstring issue since the 2-0 win over London City last weekend.
Aside from Frida and Leah, everyone else who was involved at the Copperjax Community Stadium last week is available.
Arsenal will be looking to break down a West Ham side that Slegers believes will not make it easy for them.