Arsenal maintained their good begin to the WSL season with a convincing 5-1 victory at West Ham, responding in fashion after an early Daphne van Domselaar personal purpose.
The consequence, their second win in as many video games, retains them among the many prime two and on target for direct entry into the UWCL league part.
Photograph by James Fearn/Getty Pictures
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Thus far, Renée Slegers has relied on a core of eight gamers: van Domselaar in purpose; Emily Fox, Katie Reid, Steph Catley, and Katie McCabe in defence; a midfield pivot of Kim Little and Mariona Caldentey; and Alessia Russo in assault.
Round them, Caitlin Foord, Olivia Smith, Beth Mead, Chloe Kelly, Frida Maanum, Victoria Pelova, and Stina Blackstenius have rotated throughout the 4 attacking roles, whereas Taylor Hinds and Lotte Wubben-Moy have been used from the bench in defence.
In the meantime, Manuela Zinsberger, Laia Codina, Anneke Borbé, and Kyra Cooney-Cross have up to now remained unused substitutes. The state of affairs of Jenna Nighswonger is already drawing questions, with the American left-back/left-sided midfielder but to function in a matchday squad.
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With and academy participant Sophie Harwood probably in line for a Champions League bench spot, Nighswonger’s alternatives look restricted except accidents or suspensions intervene.
WSL matchday 2 outcomes
That leaves 4 groups with six factors from two video games: Manchester United, Arsenal, Chelsea, and Tottenham, who’re displaying indicators of revival underneath Martin Ho.
Arsenal face United away subsequent Sunday, guaranteeing one 100% file will fall.
United head into that recreation with the added complication of a Champions League second leg in opposition to SK Brann, the place they path 1-0 after the primary leg. They impressed of their 5-1 win over London Metropolis Lionesses, nevertheless, and stay favourites to achieve the UWCL league part.
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Tottenham, in the meantime, host Manchester Metropolis, who can’t afford additional early slip-ups after dropping their opener to Chelsea. Sonia Bompastor’s Chelsea welcome Leicester Metropolis, buoyed by victory over Liverpool regardless of being decreased to 10 gamers following Shannon O’Brien’s purple card. Each Leicester and Liverpool might discover themselves in a relegation battle, with the bottom-placed facet dealing with a play-off in opposition to the third-placed WSL2 staff because the league prepares to increase to 14 golf equipment in 2026/27.
On the foot of the desk, London Metropolis Lionesses, Liverpool, and West Ham stay with no level. For the Lionesses, it has been a tricky baptism in opposition to Arsenal and Manchester United, conceding 9 targets in two matches. Backed by Michelle Kang and having spent greater than £2 million on transfers this summer time, they’re anticipated to push for mid-table security however are nonetheless adapting to life with a largely rebuilt squad, with solely 4 starters carried over from final season.
Chelsea’s win at Villa additionally prolonged Bompastor’s unbeaten home run to 24 video games, underlining their title credentials.
For Arsenal, the message is equally clear: they can’t afford dropped factors earlier than their showdown with Chelsea on the Emirates on the weekend of 8 November. That features subsequent Sunday’s journey to Leigh Sports activities Village to face a Manchester United facet in kind and stuffed with confidence.