Match Preview : Arsenal v Bristol City

Photo Credit: Ryan Hiscott/Getty Images

Renee Slegers’ Arsenal side are set to take on Bristol City at Meadow Park for the fourth round of the FA Cup. The Robins are no strangers to a tough Arsenal side, having met twice in the WSL season of 23/24 and losing 3-1 at home and 5-0 away, before being relegated. While the odds are in Arsenal’s favour, Bristol will be eager to fight for the win.

Bristol City currently sit second on the table in the FA Women’s championship, just a mere +1 goal difference to separate them and current successors, Birmingham City, they will be eager to prove themselves and solidify their spot back in the WSL for next season.

The Robins’ last game in the FA Cup was a strong 3-0 victory over Southampton at St. Mary’s Stadium back in December to secure their progression into the fourth round, and it is obvious that the side will want to mimic this to gain a result against the Gunners.

Players to watch

There are many stand out players for the Robins that have contributed to their current successes, including winger Lexi Lloyd-Smith. So far this season, she has accumulated 7 league goals, one of which is nominated for Barclays Women’s Championship goal of the month award for December, a stunning strike from just outside the box to put the Robins 3-0 up against Durham. Denmark international Amalie Threstrup is also in contention for this same accolade for an incredible strike from the halfway line in the same match, so we can expect she will start on the day.

There’s plenty more fresh talent to look out for on Wednesday, including new signing, Republic of Ireland U19’s skipper, Lia O’Leary. Lia is a talented winger who had a successful run at Shamrock Rovers, so it will be interesting to see what she will bring to Bristol. Also, 19 year old defender Jess Simpson has returned for her second loan spell at the club from Manchester United. After returning from a season-ending injury, she will be yearning to get minutes. Head coach, Steve Kirby describes the two new signings as “talented young players [...] both highly energetic” . You can listen to the full press conference here.

Squad availability

Kirby has confirmed that all players are in contention, bar Mari Ward who is ruled out due to an ankle injury. 

The opposing side, Arsenal, will be keen to get a win under newly appointed manager Renee Slegers, who they have so far done exceptionally well under. It is reckoned that the Gunners will be eager to prove themselves in the FA Cup, currently fourth in the WSL table after a tough loss to Chelsea over the weekend, it is unclear if they have a chance at taking home the title after a rocky start to the season, however they will be eager to be rhe runners up after placing third last season. The club last won the FA Cup trophy in the 2015/2016 season after beating Chelsea 1-0, and the question is, can they do it again?

The manager says : 

“It's a competitive game so we need to set up the best team possible to win.” 

Players to watch

Arsenal’s current form is down to the team's impressive squad depth and key players. Most notably at the moment is striker Alessia Russo, who won December’s WSL Player of the Month as well as Goal of the Month for her excellent turn against Villa. Currently the league's 2nd top goal scorer, she is certainly one to look out for on Sunday, especially considering that last season, she scored a brace against the Robins. Another star player for Arsenal is Australia's vice-captain, Steph Catley, who has put up an impressive shift on Arsenal’s backline, in a more central position than her usual left-back. When paired up with Leah Williamson, she is one to watch. It will also be interesting to see if the team play the likes of Rosa Kafaji, Swedish Attacking Midfielder who has only had a couple of starts for the Gunners since signing in the summer.

Squad availability

Before the game was postponed, Slegers  confirmed Lia Wälti is in full team training, on her way back to the pitch after recently suffering a few health scares.

This game is unmissable, with both teams having a successful season in their respective leagues, they will be fighting to take the 3 points and progress to the fifth round of the FA Cup which will be played on the weekend of Sunday 9th February.

This highly anticipated game is set to kick off at  7.45pm and is free to stream live on the Adobe Women’s FA Cup YouTube channel.