Key events
Discussing Vivianne Miedema’s return during his pre-match press conference, Arsenal manager Jonas Eidevall said: “Viv has such a great history in the club. We wish her the best, I wish her the best. I truly hope that she has a really successful season because I think she deserves that. One of the big problems for us with letting her go is now she plays for our competitor and we know that she’s a very strong opponent against us. We need to focus on our part during the game. We need to make our things as good as possible and from here on that needs to be our focus.”
The story of the day has to be Vivianne Miedema’s return to north London. One of the WSL’s all-time greats joined Manchester City on a free transfer this summer – a move that left Arsenal fans utterly heartbroken. Miedema had spent seven years with the Gunners, winning one WSL title and three League Cups.
With the new WSL season finally underway, I want to hear from you! Feel free to email in with some of your predictions for this season. Top goalscorer, player of the season, you know the drill. And the all-important question – who will lift the trophy in May?
Arsenal fans are making themselves heard ahead of kick-off. It seems last season’s beloved Cloé Lacasse chant has been replaced with a new hit – ‘Shake it Caldentey’
I must admit, it’s incredibly catchy!
Manchester City will be seeking revenge against Arsenal today. Jonas Eidevall’s side all-but ended City’s title hopes in the penultimate match of the 2023-24 season with a 2-1 win at the Joie Stadium following two late goals from Stina Blackstenius. If Gareth Taylor’s side had won that game, it would’ve pretty much sealed the WSL title. But Chelsea mounted a late comeback and took it on the final day with a 6-0 thrashing of Manchester United at Old Trafford.
This fixture has always been a must-watch, and today won’t be any different.
Leah Williamson is not available for Arsenal today due to concussion protocol. Lotte Wubben-Moy and Laia Codina start in the centre of defence for the hosts.
Alessia Russo, Beth Mead, Lia Wälti and new signing Rosa Kafaji are among the Arsenal substitutes. Some huge calls made by Jonas Eidevall.
Team News
Arsenal starting XI: Manuela Zinsberger; Emily Fox, Lotte Wubben-Moy, Laia Codina, Katie McCabe; Kim Little (C), Frida Maanum, Kyra Cooney-Cross; Mariona Caldentey, Caitlin Foord, Stina Blackstenius. Substitutes: Daphne van Domselaar, Laura Wienroither, Lia Wälti, Kathrine Kühl, Freya Godfrey, Rosa Kafaji, Beth Mead, Alessia Russo.
🔴 𝗧𝗘𝗔𝗠𝙉𝙀𝙒𝙎 ⚪️
🫡 Little with the armband
🤩 Mariona makes her WSL debut
🏎️ Blackstenius leads the lineLet’s start as we mean to go on, Gunners 👊
— Arsenal Women (@ArsenalWFC) September 22, 2024
Manchester City starting XI: Ayaka Yamashita; Laia Aleixandri, Alex Greenwood (C), Leila Ouahabi, Kerstin Casparij; Yui Hasegawa, Vivianne Miedema, Jess Park; Aoba Fujino, Khadija Shaw, Lauren Hemp. Substitutes: Khiara Keating, Naomi Layzell, Laura Coombs, Mary Fowler, Chloe Kelly Alanna Kennedy, Laura Blindkilde Brown, Gracie Prior, Lily Murphy.
Your team to face Arsenal! 🙌
XI | Yamashita, Aleixandri, Greenwood (C), Miedema, Hemp, Ouahabi, Park, Casparij, Fujino, Shaw, Hasegawa
SUBS | Keating, Layzell, Coombs, Fowler, Kelly, Kennedy, Blindkilde Brown, Prior, Murphy#ManCity | @etihad pic.twitter.com/Nu6qM4i2TQ
— Manchester City Women (@ManCityWomen) September 22, 2024
Preamble
Hello and welcome to coverage of Arsenal vs Manchester City. We’re in for a real treat this afternoon as two of the league’s best go head-to-head in front of a huge Emirates Stadium crowd.
Vivianne Miedema makes her return to north London today – but this time she will be lining up in light blue. The Dutch superstar starts for Gareth Taylor’s side in what is set to be a thriller.
Kick-off is at 12:30pm BST – join me!