WSL 2022/23 Preview 1: Arsenal
WSL 2021/22 final position: 2nd
Fresh from pushing Chelsea all the way during last season’s title race, Arsenal will aim to surf the wave of the Lionesses’ success at Euro 2022 - led by England captain Leah Williamson and Golden Boot winner Beth Mead.
How we fared last season
It is safe to say Leicester struggled against the elite clubs in the club’s maiden WSL campaign.
A 9-0 aggregate reverse over the two fixtures against Arsenal exposed the huge gulf between the best and the rest, although relegated Birmingham City’s shock 2-0 win over the Gunners in early January gave Leicester a major fright in the fight to survive.
12 December 2021: Arsenal 4 Leicester City 0
Lydia Bedford’s first game in charge after taking over from long-serving Jonathan Morgan ended in a comfortable win for the hosts that, at the time, extended Arsenal’s lead at the top of the WSL table.
In truth, it was a battling effort given Leicester lost Jemma Purfield to a red card a couple of minutes before half time and therefore played more than half of the game with ten players on the pitch. At that point Arsenal already lead 2-0 through Jordan Nobbs and Vivianne Miedema. It took until the final ten minutes for substitute Frida Maanum’s quickfire brace to double the scoreline.
3 April 2022: Leicester City 0 Arsenal 5
Beth Mead opened the scoring on Filbert Way after just two minutes but the game remained in reach until the 67th minute when Dutch superstar Miedema scored the first of two strikes to take the game away from Leicester. An Ashleigh Plumptre own goal and a Tobin Heath effort late on gave the scoreline extra gloss.
When we face them this season
Home: 5/6 November 2022
Away: 6/7 May 2023
What the papers say
‘It is hard to predict whether Arsenal are ready to lift the title or can stay competitive in all competitions, but there are promising signs of growth and development.’
Suzanne Wrack, The Guardian - read Suzanne’s full Arsenal season preview
A new signing speaks
‘It feels so great – I’m very happy to be here. I’ve always, always wanted to play in England, and I’ve always been interested in English football, so it’s super exciting for me to be here.
‘I know Arsenal are a great club, with great players and lots of quality, so I think I will enjoy it here.’
Lina Hurtig (Swedish international striker - signed from Juventus)