Key events
Arsenal fans, you’ll be pleased to know that the visitors are wearing RED socks this afternoon. No last-minute dash to the megastore today!
Discussing Arsenal during her pre-match press conference earlier this week, Chelsea head coach Sonia Bompastor said: “Our mentality is to focus on the game and every game is just worth three points, it is no more than that on Sunday. So we focus on ourselves and our mentality is to make sure in every game we put ourselves in the right mentality to make sure we win the game. We don’t focus on the table, we take it game by game, and we are more focused on how we can perform the best on game day.”
Guro Reiten claims Chelsea are “not happy with where they are right now” despite remaining undefeated across all competitions. The winger discussed today’s derby with Suzanne Wrack earlier this week…
In case you somehow missed it, the last time these two teams met at Stamford Bridge there was one major talking point – socks.
Yes, Arsenal took white socks across London for the fixture, resulting in a kit clash. The match was subsequently delayed by 30 minutes and the Gunners had to wear Chelsea’s dark blue and black away socks purchased from the stadium megastore…
Hopefully we won’t see the same problem again this afternoon!
Team news
Chelsea starting line-up: Hannah Hampton; Lucy Bronze, Millie Bright (C), Nathalie Björn, Niamh Charles; Sjoeke Nüsken, Erin Cuthbert, Johanna Rytting Kaneryd; Catarina Macario, Sandy Baltimore, Mayra Ramírez. Substitutes: Zećira Mušović, Ashley Lawrence, Maelys Mpomé, Wieke Kaptein, Oriane Jean-François, Maika Hamano, Guro Reiten, Lauren James, Aggie Beever-Jones.
Arsenal starting line-up: Daphne van Domselaar; Emily Fox, Leah Williamson, Steph Catley, Katie McCabe; Kyra Cooney-Cross, Kim Little (C), Mariona Caldentey; Caitlin Foord, Beth Mead, Alessia Russo. Substitutes: Manuela Zinsberger, Lotte Wubben-Moy, Laura Wienroither, Katie Reid, Frida Maanum, Rosa Kafaji, Stina Blackstenius.
Preamble
Hello, good afternoon and welcome to coverage of today’s WSL clash between Chelsea and Arsenal. It’s first vs third at Stamford Bridge this afternoon in one of the most highly-anticipated fixtures of every WSL season. Chelsea are still yet to lose a match this term and have only dropped points on one occasion. Meanwhile, Arsenal have enjoyed an outstanding 13-game unbeaten run following their 2-1 defeat to Sonia Bompastor’s side in October – the match that also marked the end of the Jonas Eidevall era.
The Gunners need a win today to close the gap to their London rivals – anything less and Chelsea will take a huge step towards the league title.
Let’s just hope that Arsenal’s backroom staff have brought the correct socks this time!
Kick-off is at 12:30pm GMT – join me!
Article by:Source: Emillia Hawkins
