Arsenal vs Manchester City: Subway League Cup semi final match preview

Photo credit: Arsenal FC

For the second time this week, Arsenal and Manchester City will go head to head, but this time, it’s the Cityzens that head down south to Meadow Park.  

At the weekend, the same fixture was played at the Joie Stadium in Manchester and ended in a 3-4 victory to the Gunners. This time, more than just three points is at stake, the winners of this clash will go through to the final of the Subway League Cup and play the winners of the other semi final clash, Chelsea vs West Ham.  

Recent performances: 

Arsenal are currently in their best form of the season under new manager Renèe Slegers. Before playing Chelsea a few weeks ago, the Gunners were on an unbeaten streak of 13 games and in their past five games in all competitions they have won four.  

Starting the game on Sunday without Katie McCabe meant a whole formation reshuffle, with Steph Catley moving into left back and Lotte Wubbon-Moy coming in to partner Leah Williamson at centre back. Although the Gunners looked a little shaky, goals from Mariona Caldentey, Frida Maanum, Lotte Wubben-Moy and Stina Blackstenius, sealed them the win.  

Having won the past two League Cup titles, the Gunners will be wanting to add to their tally and make it three consecutive titles.  

Manchester City have recently dipped in form from the start of the season, winning only three of their last five games in all competitions, which included their 2-4 home loss to Manchester United in the WSL.  

Facing the Gunners at the weekend proved to be a difficult challenge as they struggled to get past Daphne Van Domselaar. Two goals from Mary fowler, including a penalty, brought the scoreline back level. Vivianne Miedema also put one past her former team before being subbed off at 65 minutes.  

The visitors will be eager to turn last weekend’s scoreline around and make it to their first final since the 21/22 season.  

Stand out players: 

Kyra Cooney-Cross has been one to watch for Arsenal this season. After signing in September 2023, her game time last season was not what fans had hoped for, but this season it has been increased due to injuries and illnesses to fellow midfielders Lia Wälti and Kim Little. This season has showed why she is a crucial part of the team and how easily she can slot into the defensive midfield role, especially in games against opponents such as Manchester City or Chelsea. Just a few months after signing, she won Arsenal’s player of the month award, and was also part of the squad that won the 23/24 League Cup title. For Australia, she has 52 caps, and was part of the 2024 Paris Olympic team, she also won Football Australia’s Goal of the Year 2024 award for her first international goal against Germany.  

One to watch for Manchester City is Mary Fowler. She signed for the club in 2022 and has since made 74 appearances, scoring 19 goals. The first year of her contract was mostly spent on the bench, but her game time has increased since and she has become a regular in the starting line up. Fowler made her international debut for Australia at just 15 years old. Since that day, she has 59 caps with 15 goals and has been part of two Olympic squads and two World Cup squads. In the past, she has been nominated for The Best FIFA Women’s Player and the European Golden Girl awards, in 2022 she won the PFA Australian Young Women’s Footballer of the Year award.  

Team news and Predicted lineups: 

There are no new injuries for either team ahead of the semi final. 

 As expected for Arsenal, Kim Little is out following surgery on her hand, and Lina Hurtig is nursing a muscle injury. Caitlin Foord, however, has returned to team training so will be available for selection and Katie McCabe is back from her suspension.  

For Manchester City, Lauren Hemp is still out but has started running again on the grass this week so is making positive steps towards returning. Bunny Shaw, Kerolin and Naomi Layzell have also been training with the team which will strengthen their squad’s connection and provide them with more opportunities from the bench.  

Arsenal: Van Domselaar, Fox, Williamson, Catley, McCabe, Cooney-Cross, Mariona, Mead, Maanum, Russo, Blackstenius  

Manchester City: Yamashita, Casparij, Aleixandri, Knaak, Ouhabi, Roord, Hasegawa, Park, Fujino, Miedema, Fowler 

The game will kick off at 7pm and will be available to stream live on the Barclays Women’s Supee League YouTube channel.