Arsenal vs Manchester City - Match Preview

For the second time in the space of a week, Arsenal and Manchester City are back in another clash, this time for the Subway Women's League Cup semi final, where City will be hoping for a win after their 4-3 defeat on Sunday. 

After Sunday’s game, Arsenal moved up to 2nd in the WSL table, but quickly moved back down to 3rd when Manchester United scraped a 1-0 win against Tottenham that evening. Manchester City remain in 4th, 2 points behind the Gunners. 

Manchester City manager Gareth Taylor is aiming to have the same squad up for the game as Sunday, despite injuries causing setbacks, saying “It's a tough game for us, we know the level they can produce. We checked with the players today on the training pitch, most have come through unscathed which is good and players are further down the road with starting.”

Over the last week, Manchester City were hit with some racial comments towards Bunny Shaw after their loss. A statement was released earlier in the week, but currently Shaw is expected to play, or at least be on the bench for the clash. 

Arsenal are hoping for a second win against the Cityzens, but are aware of the pressure on themselves as they enter a semi final alongside another top team. Head Coach Renée Slegers confirmed in her press conference that there are no new injuries in the squad, and that Caitlin Foord and Katie McCabe are available for the game, returning to play from a minor injury and a red card suspension respectively. Chloe Kelly is unavailable for this game, due to being cup tied, but also due to Manchester City denying her of playing against them whilst on loan. 

When asked about the game, Slegers said, “We’re very aware of what kind of game we’re going to play and what it could mean for us, so we look forward to it. It means a lot, we want to go for trophies, so we know what the game means and we look forward to it.”

Slegers was also asked about new signing Jenna Nighswonger and whether she would get a chance to play, after being on the bench on Sunday. “We have to progress her really well. She comes from a break in the US and a camp with the national team, so we have to be really smart with her, but with everything she’s been showing in training, she looks really good."

Tonight's game takes place at Meadow Park, Arsenal’s smaller ground, at 19:00. It will be available to watch on BBC iPlayer and on the Women's Super League YouTube channel. 

The winner of tonight’s game will take on Chelsea, the winners of last night’s game against West Ham, in the Subway Women's League Cup Final on Saturday 15th March at Pride Park, Derby.