Arsenal host Reading this Sunday and will be hoping to bounce back after their
surprise defeat to Birmingham City last gameweek.
The loss was the gunners first of the season but with Emma Hayes’ Chelsea hot on
their heels, Jonas Eidevall will be hoping his side can “focus and reset” in order to
maintain their position at the top of the WSL.
Birmingham City had only a point before their fixture last week but came away with
three more after taking their chances and scoring twice despite the league leaders
dominating the ball.
Eidevall’s side have been praised for their defensive efficiency this season, topping
the league in clean sheets (7) and conceding the least amount of goals (5) along the
way.
Defender Noelle Maritz (101) and Lotte Wubben-Moy (87) rank highly in ShePlays
fantasy points earned by defenders this season yet the side’s defensive lapse
contributed to what Eidevall agreed was a “poor” performance.
Their opponents Reading will visit Meadow Park on a good run of form, winning their
last three league fixtures including a 1-0 win over title challengers Chelsea back in
December. Kelly Chambers’ team secured all three points against Leicester City in
their last game provided by a superb, chipped finish from Natasha Dowie.
The win allowed the royals to climb into sixth place, now four points off the
Champions League positions. Reading have made the most of their opportunities
this season and aimed to limit the influence of their opponents with defender Gemma
Evans (100) and Forward Justine Vanhaevermaet (77) impressing in terms of
ShePlays fantasy points earned.
With this in mind, Reading will be hoping they can continue their winning streak and
come out on top against another title challenger. Though Arsenal are unbeaten in
their last ten meetings against Reading, the club haven’t been immune to an upset in
recent weeks.