Arsenal Women will begin their Women’s Champions qualifying against Linkoping Women. Linkoping is hosting a mini-tournament. It includes teams like Kryvbas Kryvyi Rih from Ukraine and Paris FC from France.
Preview (Arsenal Women vs. Linkoping Women)
The Gunners held off Manchester City to land in the top three on goal differential. Thus clinching their spot in the Champions League. They did so despite finishing 11 points behind eventual champions Chelsea in the Women’s Super League. Last year, Jonas Eidevall’s team advanced to the Champions League semi-finals. They still have a number of obstacles to clear before they can even consider making another significant run.
The Gunners have been active in the summer transfer market. They bolstered their defense with Laia Codina of Spain and international Amanda Ilestedt of Sweden. In addition to strengthening their defense, Arsenal strengthened their attack by bringing in Benfica’s Cloe Lacasse. They have also signed England star Alessia Russo on a free transfer after she left Manchester United. Linkopings are already up to speed as they reach the final two months of their domestic season. Arsenal is getting ready to start their campaign. They qualified for the first round of the Champions League qualification round by finishing third in the Damallsvenskan the previous season.
They had 42 points from 19 games to move into second place, but they are expecting to improve on that finish this time. Anders Jacobson recently took over when Andree Jeglertz resigned to become the head coach of Denmark Women. In his first two matches in charge of Linkopings, the new manager oversaw a 5-2 victory against Brommapojkarna and a goalless draw with Hacken. Linkopings will enter their meeting against the Gunners on Thursday in a confident frame of mind as they hope to surprise them with a victory. Linkopings are unbeaten in 10 league games (W8, D2).
Team News
After recovering from an anterior cruciate ligament injury she suffered in November, England international Beth Mead might play. Leah Williamson, Laura Wienroither, and Vivianne Miedema are all still recovering from the same injuries, but they are all falling further behind. The roster now includes Ilestedt, Codina, Lacasse, and Russo, and all four of Arsenal’s newcomers will be aiming to play on Wednesday. After joining the Swedish team last week, Linkopings’ Angela Beard and Malin Brenn are anticipated to play as substitutes.
Stina Lennartsson is a candidate to start against Arsenal after coming on as a substitute in the scoreless draw with Hacken. Alva Selerud, a loanee from Roma, had her first start for the team on Friday in a league game, and the 23-year-old is anticipated to keep her spot on Wednesday. Arsenal must be cautious not to be caught off guard by a Linkoping team that is in the middle of their domestic season since they haven’t played a competitive game yet this year. Despite the Gunners’ lack of match experience, we believe their squad contains enough talent for them to succeed on Wednesday.
Arsenal Women 2 – 0 Linkoping Women
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