Manchester City to host Arsenal in WSL clash, bbc.com reported

Manchester City host Arsenal at the Etihad Stadium in the Barclays Women’s Super League, with the reigning champions sitting at the top of the table on a 100% winning record while the visiting Gunners trail by seven points after four matches, bbc.com reported. Kick-off is set for 16:30 (UK) for the battle between first and seventh, with Arsenal having recorded one win, two draws and one defeat, according to mancity.com. Iman Beney stated that every team wants to beat them this year because they are the champions, noting that they need to do even more than last year to keep their position and that the match is going to be a good fight against a good team, adding: I think that this year, every team wants to beat us because we are the champions and we need to do even more than last year now to keep this position and also for the Arsenal game it’s going to be like a good fight because they also have a good team now but we also have a really good team. Beney also noted: I scored last time my first goal against them but yeah I think it’s very different from last year now because both teams are different. I think we have the capacity to beat them and we also beat them at the Joie [Stadium]. So yeah, I think everything is possible.

Etihad Stadium Showdown Highlights Tactical Contrast

Midfielder Sam Coffey also picked up a knock during City’s victory over Arsenal, though squad rotation has allowed the league leaders to build crucial depth, according to bbc.com reporting.

Wasteful Arsenal Attack Meets Ruthless City Conversion

Arsenal rank seventh in expected goals (xG) this season while averaging 39 shots per goal, the second-highest rate recorded in a WSL campaign behind Yeovil Town’s 2017-18 mark, Opta Analyst reported. Their shot conversion rate sits at a meager 4.3%, the lowest in the division, even trailing Everton, who prior to Sunday had not seen any of their players score a goal, according to WSL Football.

In stark contrast, Manchester City boast a ruthless 16.5% conversion rate, WSL Football reported. City’s resilience is built on late-game surges, with 10 of their 16 league goals arriving in the second half, bbc.com noted. Winger Lauren Hemp has driven much of that attacking output, accumulating six goal involvements this term after a virtuoso performance that included an audacious nutmeg goal against Arsenal goalkeeper Anneke Borbe, WSL Football reported. Beney recalled that Bunny Shaw told her in training to provide support so she could play her the ball, and when Shaw received it, Beney sprinted to her, received the pass, and shot with her left foot, stating: So at this time, I didn’t know it was going to be like the winning goal for the game but then it was an amazing feeling.

Casparij Praises Manager for Clear Instructions

Vice-captain Kerstin Casparij stepped off the bench to score a goal in the 63rd minute during a previous encounter, praising manager Andree Jeglertz for providing clear instructions that allow players to trust their instincts, bbc.com reported. Casparij stated: At half-time I knew I was going to come on so I had a good chunk of time to prepare and get ready to play my game. That’s what Andree does. He’s really clear with us and it allows me to play my game, trust my instinct, trust my gut and play with a lot of freedom. Casparij added: We’ve got incredible resilience and mentality within this team. We’ve got incredible players coming off the bench, changing the game. That is so important because it’s the whole team that you need, especially in a long season like this. Nothing is won yet but we have to keep up this mentality.

Only Emily Fox and Leah Williamson have played every minute of league action for the Gunners, and Slegers has made at least two changes to her starting XI in 17 consecutive WSL matches, Opta Analyst reported.