Picking your line-up ahead of big games is always hard, but predicting the outcome of a clash like Chelsea vs Arsenal can seem nearly impossible.
Chelsea may be leading the charge points-wise, but when the two teams met earlier in the season at the Emirates, it was Arsenal who took home a very convincing 4-1 win.
It’s one of those classic fantasy football conundrums – put all your eggs in one basket by captaining a big player like Alessia Russo or Lauren James, or play things a little safer? This match could be a goal-fest or a tense nil-nil draw – so should you pick the maximum three Chelsea and Arsenal players, or miss them out altogether?
Unfortunately, there’s no right answer here. But if you do want a little bit of insight to base your decisions on, you’ve come to the right place. From who is (and isn’t) available to the biggest point scorers from last time these two teams met, here’s everything you need to know.
Who is going to play in Chelsea vs Arsenal?
Chelsea
The Chelsea camp has been plagued by injuries recently, and it’s making a real difference to the potential line-ups Emma Hayes could present.
Strikers Sam Kerr and Mia Fishel are already out with ACL injuries, both of whom spent time on the pitch last time around. Mayra Ramírez, who was signed in January to help ease the pain of Kerr’s absence, is also injured and unavailable to play.
To make matters worse, Hayes revealed in her pre-match press conference yesterday that Fran Kirby and Lauren James both have question marks over their heads: Kirby for injury, and James for illness.
Chelsea will be without Mayra Ramirez and Nathalie Björn for the visit of Arsenal tomorrow night, Emma Hayes confirms. "Maybe" without Fran Kirby and Lauren James has also been sick this week.
Defensively, there’s no Mille Bright, Nathalie Björn, Aniek Nouwen and Maren Mjelde, while Ann-Katrin Berger is also unavailable to play in goal.
It’s looking likely that Hayes will play Hampton in goal and pick between a young Aggie Beever-Jones and returner Catarino Macário to make a difference up front.
Hayes will also be hoping her midfielders Guro Reiten, Erin Cuthbert and Johanna Rytting Kaneryd step up to the plate to deliver in key moments.
Arsenal
Arsenal’s season has been considerably less injury-plagued than Chelsea’s, but the run of injuries they suffered last season means they’ve still got plenty of players who are recovering or in the process of returning from injury.
The biggest absence from the Arsenal bench will be Vivianne Miedema, who recently underwent minor knee surgery and is out for a couple of weeks as a result.
Other absentees include Lina Hurtig, Kaylan Marckese, Laura Wienroither and Teyah Goldie – although manager Jonas Eidevall did confirm this week that Wienroither is getting closer to being part of the match day squad. Amanda Ilestedt is also out following her pregnancy announcement earlier this week.
Eidevall chose to play Russo up front in the last match against Chelsea, and it paid off – with the striker claiming two goals (including one penalty).
This time round, we’ll be waiting to see whether Eidevall chooses to play Stina Blackstenius up front alongside or instead of Russo after her hat trick last weekend.
Who were the highest scorers last time around?
The last time Arsenal and Chelsea played one another, it was Arsenal who came out on top as the highest scorers.
Russo led the crowd with 10 points, followed by Ilestedt with eight. They were joined up top by Chelsea’s Rytting Kaneryd with seven, followed by Beth Mead with six.
While we didn’t have bonus points in the game last time these two clubs came head to head, we can tell you that Russo would have taken home three of the bonus points with Lia Walti getting two and Katie McCabe getting one.
Image: Getty
