Arsenal Women could make three changes for Sunday’s trip to Manchester City, with Olivia Smith offering Renée Slegers a way to refresh her attack while preserving the midfield.
Our Arsenal Women predicted XI includes recalls for Smith, Anneke Borbe and, subject to fitness, Steph Catley after Wednesday’s 2-2 draw with Paris FC.
This is our selection forecast. Slegers has confirmed Chloe Kelly will miss the match, while Catley’s return remains dependent on assessment after Friday’s training.
Arsenal Women predicted XI vs Man City
Predicted formation: 4-3-3.
Borbe; Fox, Williamson, Catley, Batlle; Little, Cooney-Cross, Stanway; Smith, Russo, Mariona.
That would mean Borbe replacing Misa Rodríguez, Catley coming in for Lotte Wubben-Moy and Smith taking Lisa Baum’s place from the starting side in Paris.
Catley’s fitness determines the defensive call
Slegers’ update, reported by Hayters TV, offered encouragement over Catley after the defender missed the Paris game with a back issue.
She completed her planned work on the training pitch on Friday, although the manager was still awaiting the subsequent assessment.
We have included Catley on the expectation that she clears that final hurdle. If she does not, Wubben-Moy is the straightforward alternative alongside Leah Williamson.
Emily Fox and Ona Batlle would retain the full-back positions. Our preference would be for one to hold a supporting position when the other advances, giving Arsenal cover if an attack breaks down.
Borbe could return in goal
Borbe started the league defeat at Chelsea before Misa took the gloves in Paris. We expect Slegers to return to Borbe for this WSL fixture.
The recent use of both goalkeepers makes this a difficult call. Borbe’s selection at Stamford Bridge provides the basis for our prediction, with Slegers yet to announce her choice.
Whichever goalkeeper starts, clear communication with the centre-backs will matter when City press Arsenal’s attempts to play out.
Keep the midfield together against City’s pressure
City manager Andrée Jeglertz has already identified the central contest.
“Their central midfield is the engine of their team,” he told City’s official website.
That strengthens the argument for retaining Kim Little, Kyra Cooney-Cross and Georgia Stanway together.
Our proposed arrangement would give Little responsibility for providing a passing option in front of the defence. Cooney-Cross could help progress possession, with Stanway given more licence to support Russo.
The distances between them would be crucial. If all three move towards the same pass, City can shut down the next option and force Arsenal backwards.
Stanway’s goal in Paris also gives Slegers a reason to preserve her threat arriving from midfield. The other two must provide cover when she advances.
Smith gets the nod in attack
We predict Smith will replace Baum on the right, with Mariona Caldentey starting from the left and Alessia Russo leading the line.
Smith’s assignment would be to threaten the space behind City’s defence when Russo drops short, then recover alongside the midfield when Arsenal lose possession.
Mariona could move inside to receive, with Batlle providing width once Arsenal have established controlled possession.
Baum would still offer an option from the bench. Caitlin Foord and Stina Blackstenius provide further alternatives if Slegers needs to change the attack.
Our match preview examined the need to give Russo closer support. This selection would keep three central midfielders available while adding Smith’s running ahead of them.
The trade-off is leaving Baum out after consecutive starts against Chelsea and Paris. We would make that change for a different attacking option, while keeping the central partnerships intact.
Sunday’s match kicks off at 4.30pm BST at the Etihad Stadium, with Arsenal seeking to reduce the seven-point gap to City.
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