Manchester City v Arsenal – Combined XI

Manchester City and Arsenal will contest a key battle in the Barclays FA Women’s Super League title race when the pair meet at The Academy Stadium tomorrow afternoon.

Both sides boast an array of top class talent, players who can undoubtedly put their stamp on the game should they be on top form on the day.

FA Women’s Super League Full-Time have considered the performances and statistics of both sets of players and we have selected our combined XI made up of players from both sides.

GOALKEEPER

Ellie Roebuck

The young England goalkeeper boasted the fewest number of goals conceded, highest number of clean sheets, and the highest save percentage in the league last season. This has resulted in Roebuck being named amongst the initial nominations for The Best FIFA Women’s Goalkeeper at The Best FIFA Football Awards 2020. At just 21 years of age, Roebuck has the world at her feet and she makes our XI ahead of Arsenal goalkeeper Manuela Zinsberger who has looked shaky at times this season.

DEFENCE

Lucy Bronze

Widely regarded as the best right-back in the world, Bronze has once again made the final three in The Best FIFA Women’s Player category at The Best FIFA Football Awards 2020 following her third place finish last year to go with her runner-up for the Ballon D’Or. This is on top of being voted the third-best player by UEFA last year, an award she won the year before and she is therefore the only real candidate for the position.

Leah Williamson

Despite mostly playing in defensive positions, Leah Williamson has demonstrated superb attacking endeavour, which given the offensive talent on offer, is a huge part of Arsenal’s success this season. She has the most passes into the final third as well as most progressive passes this season. In addition, Williamson also has the highest success rate in terms of pressing this campaign at 51.7% so has plenty offer in all areas of the game including in her preferred centre-back position.

Gemma Bonner

A constant aerial threat from set pieces, Bonner is also a vital asset with the ball on the ground. The Manchester City centre-back’s pass completion rate from last season is 91%, beaten only by Jen Beattie of Arsenal. She edges out the Arsenal defender in terms of the total number of passes made, she tops the statistics in this area whereas Beattie didn’t make the top 10. Bonner is invaluable in instigating build-up play and breaking the lines to feed the ball into midfield and gets our vote.

Katie McCabe

Following the lengthy injury lay-off of summer signing Steph Catley, Republic of Ireland international McCabe has slotted in on the left-hand side of defence and she has made the position her own. One could argue that Demi Stokes or Alex Greenwood are more worthy candidates in the left-back position but McCabe currently stands alone with the most assists in the league (six) and second in assists per 90 minutes. The attacking intent that McCabe offers in the offensive third, in addition to her defensive duties, means she edges out the Manchester City full-backs on this occasion.

MIDFIELD

Sam Mewis

The United States international arrived in England to much fanfare with huge expectation on her shoulders, however, she has hit the ground running and has made an impressive start. Given her strength and ability to drive through the middle of the park, her aerial dominance, plus what she has achieved in her career thus far, it would be almost impossible to leave her out. The midfielder has been one of the signings of the season so far.

Caroline Weir

Some may say that Weir is in the form of her life at the moment following a stellar display against Everton, however, she has been a consistent performer for the last two seasons. She has impressed with her delivery and individual moments of brilliance, namely her goal against Manchester United last season which was nominated for the FIFA Puskas Award. Given the attacking talent that we have selected below, our XI simply wouldn’t be the same without the class of Weir.

Jill Roord

With the most goals, assists and non-penalty goals per 90 minutes in the Barclays FA Women’s Super League this season, as well the second-best goals return overall, Jill Roord undoubtedly deserves a place in our midfield. The Dutch international also has the highest goal conversion of any player with four or more goals so far this campaign (50%), nearly twice that of the likes of Ellen White and Chloe Kelly.

FORWARDS

Beth Mead

At this stage of the season, Beth Mead is currently only behind Katie McCabe in terms of assists. When paired with her record for most assists in a single Barclays FA Women’s Super League season two years ago, her record makes her the ideal provider for her teammates. While she cannot match the goals of teammate Vivianne Miedema, Mead still knows where the back of the net is and has lots of creative flair.

Vivianne Miedema

It would be remiss to leave out the Barclays FA Women’s Super League’s top scorer for this season and all-time record goalscorer from a combined Manchester City-Arsenal line-up. Although the Dutch forward has come in for some criticism for not stepping up on the big occasions and has been labelled a ‘flat-track bully’, it is difficult to argue with the number of goals that she produces on a regular basis both in the league and internationally.

Caitlin Foord

Caitlin Foord currently ranks second in terms of most assists in the Barclays FA Women’s Super League for 2020/2021, level with her teammate Beth Mead and fourth in terms of goalscoring. She therefore rounds off the forward line. Foord is in her first full season as an Arsenal player but she is already proving to be a great addition to the Barclays FA Women’s Super League and will undoubtedly add to her goal tally throughout the remainder of the season.

The Arsenal front three alone have scored a total of 22 goals in the league thus far, meaning they have scored more than the entire City squad combined. Will The Gunners’ attackers be firing on all cylinders at The Academy Stadium tomorrow?

 

Statistics: FBREF

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