Arsenal and Chelsea continue their preparations for the new season when the pair contest a pre-season friendly at The Emirates Stadium on Sunday.
The fixture forms part of ‘The Mind Series’ with the two clubs’ men’s sides also set to face-off at the same venue later in the day.
Chelsea finished nine points clear of Arsenal in the 2020/2021 Barclays FA Women’s Super League, however, this weekend’s meeting is unlikely to offer too many clues on how the two sides will fare in the coming season with a whole host of players missing due to international duty at the Olympic Games.
New Arsenal head coach Jonas Eidevall will take charge of The Gunners for the first time against Chelsea. The Swede could offer debuts to summer signings Simone Boye Sørensen and Frida Maanum but both Mana Iwabuchi and Nikita Parris will be missing due to their Tokyo 2020 commitments. The Gunners will also be without Leah Williamson, Kim Little, Lotte Wubben-Moy, Lydia Williams, Steph Catley, Caitlin Foord and star striker Vivianne Miedema. Head coach Eidevall could turn to some of the club’s young players to fill his first matchday squad.
Like Arsenal, Chelsea’s squad will be much-depleted by players being away on international duty. The Blues will be without 11 players in total including Sam Kerr, Fran Kirby, Sophie Ingle, Millie Bright and captain Magda Eriksson. Norwegian international defender Maren Mjelde remains sidelined through injury. New signing Lauren James is available while manager Emma Hayes will be able to call upon the likes of Beth England, Erin Cuthbert and Pernille Harder in North London. Youngsters Emily Orman, Jorja Fox, Aggie Beever-Jones and Charlotte Wardlaw are expected to be included in the squad.
Arsenal’s pre-season friendly fixture against Chelsea is scheduled to kick-off at 12.15pm on Sunday afternoon and will be available to stream via both clubs.
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