Arsenal get their UEFA Women’s Champions League campaign underway this afternoon when they take on Swedish club Linköping FC in a Round 1 semi-final tie at the Linköping Arena.
The Gunners face Linköping in a one-off tie with the winner meeting either Paris FC or FC Kryvbas in the final. The overall winner will qualify for Round 2 of this season’s UEFA Women’s Champions League.
Arsenal head coach Jonas Eidevall has confirmed that forward Beth Mead is back to fitness, although she won’t feature against Linköping. Vivianne Miedema, Leah Williamson, Laura Wienroither and Teyah Goldie are all sidelined with Anterior Cruciate Ligament (ACL) injuries. Summer signings Amanda Ilestedt, Cloé Lacasse, Alessia Russo and Laia Codina are all in the squad and could make their debuts. Eidevall will look to carefully manage the minutes of his FIFA Women’s World Cup Australia and New Zealand 2023 stars, especially those who were involved in the tournament until the very end.
Just six members of Linköping’s 23-player squad have experienced UEFA Women’s Champions League football before. The Swedish club have not issued a squad update, however, it should be noted that defenders Johanna Alm and Angela Beard and forward Leona Özdemir did not feature in the goalless draw with BK Häcken on Friday. The condition of those players is not known.
The UEFA Women’s Champions League Round 1 semi-final tie between Arsenal and Linköping kicks-off at 4pm.