Arsenal Women Face Former Academy Star In WSL Return

Arsenal Women return to WSL action on Sunday for the first time in over a month when they travel to face London City Lionesses at Bromley’s Copperjax Community Stadium.

The Gunners haven’t played in the league since their impressive 1-0 victory over Manchester City at the Emirates on February 8th, with subsequent fixtures against Brighton and Leicester postponed. The extended international break means Renee Slegers’ side will be looking to build momentum in what could prove a crucial period for their season.

Key Players Missing

Arsenal will be without three key players who are representing Australia at the Asian Cup. Steph Catley, Kyra Cooney-Cross and Caitlin Foord remain unavailable, adding to Slegers’ selection challenges.

However, there is positive news with Beth Mead returning to the squad after recovering from a shin injury. Olivia Smith is also back in contention having missed Canada’s SheBelieves Cup campaign due to concussion.

The Gunners continue to be without Manu Zinsberger, Katie Reid and Michelle Agyemang, who are all sidelined for the season with ACL injuries.

Facing Former Academy Product

Sunday’s opponents present a fascinating challenge, boasting world-class talent including Grace Geyoro, Kosavore Asllani, Delphine Cascarino, Danielle van de Donk and Saki Kumagai.

Perhaps most intriguingly for Arsenal fans, former academy graduate Freya Godfrey has emerged as one of LCL’s standout performers since joining from the Gunners last summer. The right-winger has impressed to such an extent that she has earned her first England call-up.

According to Arseblog News, Godfrey “might well be” London City’s “highest performing signing from last summer” despite the club’s significant investment in established international stars.

When the teams met on the opening day of the season, Arsenal secured a convincing 4-1 victory at the Emirates. LCL took an early lead through Kosavore Asllani’s penalty before the Gunners responded with goals from Smith, Chloe Kelly, Stina Blackstenius and Frida Maanum.

Critical Period Ahead

Slegers acknowledged the tactical evolution of her opponents since their first meeting, noting they have become “more positional and maybe zonal in their defence rather than going player for player” under new management.

The timing of this fixture is significant, with Arsenal facing a Champions League quarter-final against Chelsea later in the month. Despite being behind their competitors in games played due to postponements, the Gunners know that winning all their remaining matches would guarantee at least a second-place finish.

With Mead unlikely to start immediately after injury and key players absent on international duty, this represents an opportunity for fringe players to stake their claim during a pivotal stretch of the campaign.