Arsenal alter defence for Emirates meeting
Arsenal have made two changes to their starting line-up for this afternoon’s Women’s Super League London derby against London City Lionesses at the Emirates Stadium.
Elisa de Almeida and Ona Batlle come into the back four, replacing Steph Catley and Taylor Hinds. The changes follow Arsenal’s demanding 1-1 draw at Barcelona on Thursday, where Frida Maanum scored for the visitors before Caroline Graham Hansen levelled for the European champions.
The match begins at 4.30pm UK time, with Arsenal seeking their first home league victory of the season. Renee Slegers’ side have drawn each of their four WSL matches at the Emirates so far, leaving them sixth in the standings and under pressure to turn competitive performances into wins.
Familiar midfield and attacking trio
Emily Fox and Leah Williamson retain their places in defence in front of goalkeeper Misa Rodriguez. In midfield, captain Kim Little starts alongside Georgia Stanway and Maanum, who takes her place after her goal at Camp Nou.
Lisa Baum and Caitlin Foord will support Alessia Russo in attack. The selection gives Arsenal continuity through the centre of the team while refreshing the full-back positions for a fixture that arrives only a few days after the trip to Spain.
Arsenal’s substitutes are Daphne van Domselaar, Anneke Borbe, Lotte Wubben-Moy, Catley, Hinds, Rosa Kafaji, Kyra Cooney-Cross, Mariona Reuteler and Vivianne Miedema.
London City arrive among the leaders
London City Lionesses make the short journey to north London sitting third in the WSL. The Bromley-based club have taken 19 points from nine matches and have a goal difference of plus 13, according to the league table supplied ahead of kick-off.
They are six points clear of Arsenal and are described as being on course for Champions League qualification. Their position underlines the scale of the task for the hosts: this is not simply a local fixture, but a meeting between a side chasing the established leading clubs and an ambitious team that has moved into the European places.
| Team | Played | Goal difference | Points |
|---|---|---|---|
| Chelsea Women | 10 | +24 | 26 |
| Manchester City Women | 10 | +16 | 25 |
| London City Lionesses | 9 | +13 | 19 |
Experience strengthens the visitors
London City’s starting side includes goalkeeper Mary Earps, captain Alexia Putellas, Diani, Daniëlle van de Donk, Geyoro and Izzy Goodwin. Jana, Maria Perez, Pattinson, Arques and Leon complete the line-up named for the derby.
There are two attacking changes from the side listed in the earlier match information. Diani and Goodwin start, while Nicole Anyomi and Delphine Cascarino begin on the bench. The substitutes also include Lete, Corrales, Linari, Godfrey, Kennedy, Kafaji and Thomsen.
A rapid return after Barcelona
Arsenal’s preparation has been compressed by their European schedule. At Barcelona, Maanum gave the Gunners the lead despite sustained pressure from the hosts, before Graham Hansen’s equaliser secured a draw. Arsenal therefore arrive in this domestic contest having had little time to recover from a physically and tactically demanding evening.
That result nevertheless offered evidence of Arsenal’s resilience. Holding Barcelona to a draw at the Camp Nou was a significant result, but the immediate challenge is to reproduce that resolve in a league campaign in which home form has so far limited their progress.
Pressure on Slegers
Slegers remains under pressure after Arsenal’s sequence of four home league draws. The Emirates has not yet provided the platform expected of a team competing near the top of the English game, and the visit of a London City side six points ahead gives the fixture added urgency.
Arsenal’s team news suggests a measured response rather than a wholesale reshuffle. The manager has preserved the midfield that started in Barcelona and kept Fox and Williamson in place, while bringing de Almeida and Batlle into the defence.
What is at stake
For London City, victory would strengthen their hold on third place and maintain their push for Champions League football. For Arsenal, three points would begin to close the gap on a direct rival and finally provide a home league win to match their ambitions.
- Kick-off: 4.30pm UK time
- Venue: Emirates Stadium
- Competition: Women’s Super League
- Arsenal changes: de Almeida and Batlle in for Catley and Hinds
- London City changes: Diani and Goodwin start, with Anyomi and Cascarino on the bench
The capital derby brings together Arsenal’s need for a breakthrough and London City’s opportunity to underline their place among the WSL’s leading challengers. The confirmed teams ensure a strong emphasis on defensive freshness for the hosts, while the visitors have chosen additional attacking threat at the Emirates.
