Arsenal
Joe Montemurro will be looking to guide the Gunners back to the top of the WSL. After a third placed finish during the 2019/20 campaign, Arsenal will look to challenge for the Top Two. A series of additions at the club put them in good stead as the season approaches.
The arrivals of Australian internationals Steph Catley and Lydia Williams bring added experience while Malin Gut and Noelle Maritz will bring some Swiss influence on the side.
Arsenal have been in training the longest of any side with the conclusion of the Champions League last week, the benefit of a competitive fixture could come in handy. Youngsters Melisa Filis and Ruby Mace have played a part in pre-season so far and will look to push on during this campaign.
Information to take note is the pending suspension of Katie McCabe who will miss the tie with reading after picking up five yellow cards at the end of last campaign, and new goalkeeper Lydia Williams suffered an ankle injury in training ruling her out for the first few games.
Up first for the Arsenal it’s a home tie with Reading facing both Emma Mitchell and Danielle Carter, long serving players who departed the club this summer for pastures new. In their second tie, they face an away trip to West Ham United.
Below we take a look at three players that could have a large influence on the season and for ShePlays managers to consider for differing reasons:
Star of the Show: Vivianne Miedema – FW – £80,000 – 227 points during 2019/20 WSL Campaign
Last season’s joint top goal scorer in the WSL will be looking to challenge for the golden boot again this year. Viv scored 14 goals in 13 games last season, recording eight assists in the process. In ne memorable tie at home to Bristol City, the Dutch forward netted a record points haul scoring 59 points in Round 12. Arsenal’s number 11 scored six goals and was credited with four assists as the Gunners dispatched the Robins. Any managers who captained the current WSL Fans Player of the Year were in for a bumper week. The 24-year-old will be aiming for another strong season and will without doubt be the leading striker at the club. A premium price is well deserved for the lethal goal machine.
Read more about Miedema’s career so far here
New Arrival: Steph Catley – DF – £70,000
The Australian full back joined the Gunners from OL Reign and will make 2020/21 her debut WSL campaign. Arsenal favoured Lisa Evans and Katie McCabe in full back positions last season, both naturally forward players which will leave a gap for Catley to enforce her cause for a starting space. The 26-year-old will wear the 12 jersey and will hope to benefit from the ShePlays bonus point system. A lack of goals in her game may worry managers with a heavy price tag but Catley could benefit from Arsenal’s advanced playing style. With the likes of Miedema and Australian teammate, Caitlin Foord in attack, the opportunity for assists are high.
Kid on the Block: Ruby Mace – DF – £15,000 – 16 years old
With an array of premium prices throughout ShePlays this season, manager will be turning to the £15,000 price bracket to fill in squad positions. This is where youngsters on the fringes could play a huge part. 16-year-old, Ruby Mace could offer managers some investment with the defender notably travelling and being named on the bench for the Gunners in their recent Champions League quarter final. Mace did feature for the senior side during the 2019/20 campaign but was limited to cup games. Wearing number 30, she will be hoping to push on this season, with Arsenal having only midfielder Viktoria Schnaderbeck as centre back cover. This leaves an open opportunity for Mace to gain vital experience in the WSL and league minutes, with manager Joe Montemurro tending to turn to the bench when holding a comfortable lead.
Read more about Mace’s career so far here
To read more about Arsenal, their players and the prices; visit the Arsenal team page here
Follow @etiawneb on Twitter to keep up with updates throughout the season.
The graphic featured is an opinion only of a likely lineup and does not reflect the likelihood of this being correct