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Nobbs Rocket Propells Arsenal To WSL Record

Arsenal 3-1 West Ham United

by Ben Gilby at Meadow Park (31/10/22)

Above: Stina Blackstenius runs away in celebration after putting Arsenal 2-1 up last night. Photo: Arsenal Women.

Arsenal came from behind to claim victory over West Ham United in front of almost 4,000 fans at Meadow Park, in doing so breaking the record for consecutive WSL wins.

This victory, the Gunners’ 13th league win in a row, came despite the Hammers offering stubborn and impressive opposition, particularly in the first half, which saw their captain, Icelandic international Dagny Brynjarsdottir put in an outstanding shift.

After her goalscoring return to action in the club’s midweek win over FC Zurich in the Champions League, Jordan Nobbs was on the bench, joined by the likes of Vivianne Miedema, Jen Beattie, Lina Hurtig, and Mana Iwabuchi. Long gone are the days when the Gunners relied on teenagers to fill their quota of substitutes.

Arsenal started by maximising possession, looking to build patiently from the back. That ploy had its first reward as Stina Blackstenius cut along the left only for Grace Fisk to head clear. Fisk was in action at the other end linking with captain Brynjarsdottir who angled a powerful header that Gunners keeper Manuela Zinsberger gathered at the second attempt.

**Above:** Caitlin Foord, seen here in action against Brighton and Hove Albion, had an influential opening to last night’s game. **Photo:** Arsenal Women.

The task of trying to rein in Caitlin Foord, arguably in the club form of her life, was given to Lisa Evans, but the Matildas star had the freedom to drift across the centre and out to the left, pulling the Hammers’ attacker around with her at will in the early exchanges. To make a difficult experience for Evans worse, Foord’s pace left the Scot struggling in this spell.

Arsenal turned up the pressure with 13 minutes on the clock as Beth Mead and Frida Maanum combined with menace to earn a corner which Wubben-Moy headed goalwards but the visitors cleared. Maanum advanced once more shortly afterwards and forced the Hammers into a sliced clearance at the cost of another corner.

The visitors looked to respond and after a move starting on their left, Evans fired a powerful effort which did not bother Zinsberger, but it was enough to remind the home side that the EastEnders posed a threat.

Five minutes later and, after a corner from the right, Brynjarsdottir rocketed a header into the net, only for her effort to be ruled out for a foul as she made contact with the ball. It was yet another warning sign for Arsenal that despite all their possession, West Ham’s efforts were giving them a serious foothold in this game. Their ability to play quick balls across the Gunners’ 18-yard area and looking to make incisions into the box were causing problems at the back for the hosts.

**Above:** West Ham United celebrate Dagny Brynjarsdottir’s goal as in the background Arsenal rue their indecision in the build-up.
**Photo:** Barclays Women’s Super League.

With 34 minutes played, West Ham earned their reward. Viviane Asseyi played a ball through towards Brynjarsdottir which Steph Catley angled back towards her own goalkeeper. As Brynjarsdottir honed in on the ball, Zinsberger didn’t know whether to stick or twist, and the outcome was a slow agony for Arsenal as the ball rolled gradually towards the goal only to hit the post, with Brynjarsdottir getting the last touch as it was redirected over the line. Both she and her side deserved it for their respective efforts. It was the first goal Arsenal had conceded in almost 15 and three-quarter hours of WSL football.

The Gunners tried to respond, and with Asseyi out of the action on the right flank, Mead broke through. As she did so, Kim Little went down. Mead advanced and powered an effort in which earned a corner. Little was forced from the pitch, bringing a return to action for Nobbs with five minutes remaining of the half.

With the hosts earning back-to-back corners, they levelled the scores as the ball made its way to Nobbs on the edge of the box to fire an absolute rocket to mark her arrival in style.

**Above:** Jordan Nobbs shows her glee after hitting a superb equaliser. **Photo:** Barclays Women’s Super League.

The Gunners ended the first half on the front foot, but West Ham deserved parity for their superb work-ethic and stubborn probing of the home side.

Arsenal created the second period’s first opportunity within six minutes of the re-start as Blackstenius found Foord out on the left, but the Australian’s shot hit the side netting as Hammers keeper Sophie Hillyard cut down the angle.

The momentum remained with the hosts, and within two minutes, Arsenal were ahead as Steph Catley curled in a free-kick for Blackstenius to head home.

West Ham found it hard to respond from an attacking prospect as the match developed into a battle for control of the midfield. However, they had worked hard to counter the threat of Foord with Risa Shimizu backing up Evans in containing the Matildas star’s threat.

This move did have a major negative though in allowing for space for Katie McCabe on the left, and the Irish international had an ever-increasing influence on the match as it entered its last half-hour.

Shots on target were rare in this period, with the sole opportunity coming from Mead who worked her way onto the left-hand side of the box and fired a powerful effort across goal which Hillyerd got a hand to in order to direct away for a corner.

McCabe was revelling in the space afforded her on the left and she got away to deliver a pinpoint cross for Maanum to head in Arsenal’s third with 20 minutes remaining.

**Above:** Katie McCabe (top) who played a major role in Arsenal’s second-half performance. **Photo:** RTE.

Buoyed by this, Arsenal flicked the switch and played their most fluent football of the evening. Whilst Eidevall rang the changes, mindful of players’ minutes after two successive midweek Champions League games, it did not lessen his side’s intensity. It merely set West Ham another puzzle.

Hurtig and Miedema were in tune from the moment they entered the field with the Swede looking in full penalty box predator mode. Arsenal were quicker and more incisive, and the Hammers were hanging on for dear life in the final 10 minutes.

Miedema laid off a ball to Nobbs who, in almost a repeat of her stunning strike before the break, crashed in a shot that Hillyerd repelled.

West Ham earned a rare chance in stoppage time when Brynjarsdottir hit a powerful effort that needed Zinsberger to push away to the right for a corner.

There was still time for one last Arsenal effort as Maanum combined with Hurtig to force Hillyerd into a save.

Whilst it took Arsenal some time to get up to full speed in this encounter against dogged opposition, this was another impressive win from Eidevall’s team. To come through successive weeks of WSL and Champions League football and still win games comfortably is no mean feat.

They look the real deal this season. At their best, the Gunners can move the ball around and offer movement off the ball that is at a level virtually almost unequalled in the WSL. Arsenal might be second at present, but with current leaders Manchester United their next home opposition, we will soon see just how good the Gunners are.

Teams: ARSENAL: Zinsberger, Maritz, Wubben-Moy, Catley, McCabe, Little, Walti, Maanum, Mead, Blackstenius, Foord. Substitutes: Marckese (GK), Beattie, Nobbs, Miedema, Hurtig, Iwabuchi, Weinroither, Agyemang, Reid.

Scorers: Nobbs 42′, Blackstenius 53, Maanun 70′.

WEST HAM UNITED: Hillyerd, Shimzu, Stringer, Fisk, Smith, Brynjarsdottir, Longhurst, Hayashi, Kyvag. Substitutes: Filis, Walker, Atkinson, Flannery, Houssein.

Scorers: Brynjarsdottir 35′.

Referee: Abi Byrne.

Attendance: 3,998.

Carla Ward: Villa Can Take Confidence Into Chelsea Clash

Impetus’ Nathan Edwards was in Aston Villa head coach Carla Ward‘s media conference ahead of today’s visit to Chelsea (30/10/22).

Above: Aston Villa head coach Carla Ward is in a buoyant mood ahead of today’s trip to Kingsmeadow. Photo: Aston Villa Women.

Carla Ward believes Aston Villa “are playing some of the best football she has seen from this group” as they sit seventh going in their Women’s Super League game against Chelsea.

Despite back-to-back defeats against Everton in the space of a week, in the WSL and Conti Cup, Ward doesn’t want her players to get too down on past results. The Villa coach said, “They (Chelsea) are a good side, but so are we and that’s what I told them this morning, and we can take a lot of confidence from the position we are in.

“The pressure will not be on us. Everyone will expect Chelsea to win the game, so we will go there and be competitive. We are playing a top, top side. We have to make sure we can compete and cause them some problems.

“We need to remind the players that we did that against Manchester City, and I know they are at different stages. We are up against one of the best teams in the country, so we have to enjoy going up against these players and these staff, to show what we are about.”

Throughout their losses to the Toffees and against West Ham United, Villa have struggled to find the cutting edge to convert chances, with their penalty shootout defeat on Wednesday a prime example.

“We have dominated our games this season, we have dominated chances and had more final third crosses than any team in the WSL. We are showing we aren’t a little club, but a team that is playing with purpose this year and I think we have shown that.”
Aston Villa head coach Carla Ward on why her side should be confident going to Chelsea.

“If anyone watched Wednesday night, we could have been up 4-0 up by halftime, which was frustrating.”

But despite the strong start, which included that win against Manchester City, Ward is expecting an even more difficult task at Kingsmeadow.

“We know we will be without the ball for large parts of the game and it will be a different test, and manage the moments when we don’t have the ball.”

The game also sees Hannah Hampton available, but after the performances that Anna Leat has put in whilst Hampton has been injured, Ward has got a difficult decision to make.

Ward said “Leat has been outstanding. There has been a lot of talk about when Hannah (Hampton) is coming back, but I think that is highly disrespectful to Leat. We now have two exceptional keepers, that are pushing each other every day and we know we can rely on them, but they will have to fight it out.”

To hear the Chelsea opinion on the match, Nathan Edwards was in Blues General Manager Paul Green’s media conference – click here to read the article: https://impetusfootball.org/2022/10/28/chelsea-know-how-tough-villa-are/

**Above:** Aston Villa’s Anna Leat has been in fine form during Hannah Hampton’s absence. **Photo:** Friends of Football.

Hope Powell: Positivity And Aggression Needed From Brighton

Impetus’ Ellie Ramsauer was in Brighton and Hove Albion head coach Hope Powell‘s media conference for us ahead of today’s game with Tottenham Hotspur. The former Lionesses chief outlined how preparations have gone and what she needs to see from her side against the North London outfit (30/10/22).

Above: Brighton and Hove Albion head coach Hope Powell looked ahead to today’s game with Spurs. Photo: Brighton and Hove Albion Women.

Hope Powell’s Brighton and Hove Albion have no new injury concerns ahead of today’s important WSL game with Tottenham Hotspur.

Whilst injury news is positive, the head coach conceded that there are “still some tired minds from last Sunday’s game (against Chelsea), but apart from that, everyone’s okay so far.”

Despite results not going Brighton’s way recently, including that result against Chelsea in which they lost 2-0, Powell remains positive as she believes that the game against the defending champions was “the best we’ve performed this season,” and that Brighton “matched them for a large proportion of the game.” She also noted that, in the game her side “created more chances than we probably have before against Chelsea”.

Whilst Powell was also “pleased with the attitude” her side displayed against the Champions League contenders, especially with “how the squad came together [and] really had a good go, and made it very, very difficult for a very good side.” However, she conceded that, ultimately, “it is about results.”

**Above:** Katie Robinson – in fine form for Brighton and Hove Albion in recent times. **Photo:** Brighton and Hove Albion Women.

Looking ahead to today’s game in which Brighton face a Tottenham side that have had a mixed start to the season with two wins and two defeats under Rehanne Skinner, Powell states that “having looked at them, they look very organised, very strong, very aggressive [and] move the ball very well.”

The former Lionesses head coach also noted that they “have some very experienced players in there,” and that she “knows it’s going to be tough.”

In order to beat Tottenham, Powell believes that Brighton will have to be “as aggressive” as this Tottenham side and that they will “have to be up for the fight if we want to get something out of the game.”

In terms of preparation for this Sunday’s game, Brighton have “worked on strategy” including “what we look to do when we haven’t got the ball [and] what we look to do when we’ve got the ball.” In particular, “finishing is one that we always look at.”

Further, Powell believes that overall, what she needs to see from her team is: “a positive attitude in the way we want to play. If we’re really aggressive, if we really help each other and really work hard for each other, I think it’s proved in the past that it gives us the best chance to perform well.”

Jets Add American Striker

From Newcastle Jets (30/10/22).

Above: Murphy Agnew in action during her time in the US College system. Photo: Soccer Wire.

Earlier today, Newcastle Jets announced the signing of American forward Murphy Agnew for the A-League Women season.

Murphy joins the Jets after recently playing in Iceland with Thróttur Reykjavík after coming through the US college system.

Newcastle Jets Coach Ash Wilson was understandably thrilled to capture the American forward: “Murphy is someone who comes to us having had successful college experience in the US as well as a season in Iceland. She has so many attributes we believe will contribute positively to our environment and the performances we are looking to put in that reflect the town and what it means to play for Newcastle.

**Above:** Murphy Agnew during her time at Thróttur Reykjavík. Photo: Ljósmynd/Þróttur R.

Wilson expanded on the qualities that Agnew will bring to the Jets: “She is versatile, has a great work rate, and likes to play forward and involve herself in attacking movements. She has the capacity to score goals and break teams down with her ability to run with the ball in space but will be tireless in defence as well. She is a quality person who will bring a lot to the change-room, pitch, and community and I’m looking forward to having her join us.”

Agnew outlined her own thoughts about her first season in the A-League Women with Newcastle Jets.

“I’m very happy to have signed for the Jets and I’m excited to use this opportunity to help the team and grow as a player on and off the field.

“I’m looking forward to being part of a hard-working community and being able to play with an awesome group of girls. It’s shaping up to be an intense, competitive season and I can’t wait to get started.”

Gareth Taylor: City Change Is “A Step In The Right Direction”

Impetus’ Johnathan Stack was in Manchester City head coach Gareth Taylor‘s media conference yesterday (29/10/22).

Above: Gareth Taylor speaking to the media. Photo: Manchester City.

Head Coach Gareth Taylor spoke ahead of Manchester City’s game with Liverpool at the weekend, a big game for both teams with an in-form City looking for their third win in the league on the bounce. Meanwhile, the visitors are looking to find some form after back-to-back defeats to Everton and Arsenal.

But ahead of the game, the talking point was the ongoing movement in the women’s game for clubs to move away from wearing white shorts. A move that will reduce anxiety amongst players who have concerns about playing while on their periods.

**Above:** Manchester City’s Conti Cup win over Blackburn Rovers in midweek was the first time they had played a home game in burgundy shorts to help with player well-being. **Photo:** Manchester City Women.

FA Women’s National League Northern Premier side West Bromwich Albion led the way by changing to navy shorts, followed by Stoke City in the same division who moved to red shorts. North of the border, Livingston in the third tier SWF Championship has changed to black shorts with Welsh club Swansea City also wearing black shorts from now on.

The latest club to join the movement is Manchester City who debuted burgundy shorts in Wednesday night’s 6-0 win in the Continental League Cup against Blackburn Rovers. The decision to change the colour of the shorts to help with the well-being of the players is a sign of the progress being made in the women’s game.

Taylor believes the move is a “good step forward” for both the game and female athletes saying: “I think there was good interaction from players and club and then with our manufacturers in Puma. The girls were fine, they were pleased with it and just got on with it. For many of us, it was only when we saw the shorts that we realised there was a difference. A lot of this discussion had gone on previously outside of a few of the staff members but it’s great that everyone’s on board with it. I’m sure pretty much everyone would agree we’re moving things forward.

“There’s plenty of considerations now for female athletes which are important for them to be the best versions of themselves. There’s a much better awareness now, it’s more openly talked about, I think it’s only good for the girls and for the game as well.”
Gareth Taylor, Manchester City Head Coach.

Taylor’s side go into Sunday’s game looking for a fourth consecutive victory in all competitions since the international break. But City experienced a tough encounter with Liverpool in pre-season and the Reds got off to a great start to life back in the WSL with an opening-day victory over reigning champions Chelsea showing their capabilities in the top division. Taylor on the other hand is confident that if City focuses on their own performance, it should be enough to take the three points on Sunday.

Speaking about City’s opponents, Taylor said “Matt (Beard) has got a wealth of experience, he’s really knowledgeable and has had success previously. He did well getting them back up to the WSL, where they rightly belong as a team. They’re hardworking and brave in what they do.

**Above:** Mary Fowler in training ahead of Sunday’s game with Liverpool. **Photo:** Manchester City Women.

“We’re expecting a tough test, we played them in pre-season, and we’ve seen what they can do earlier on against Chelsea. “It’s a tough opponent for us but I always put it back to what we do. “If we look after ourselves and what we’re trying to do we’ll come out hopefully on the right side of the result.”

City has been in rejuvenated form after a tricky start to the season, they have been in fine form with wins over Leicester, Spurs, and Blackburn in the cup and will be looking to continue their climb up the table on Sunday.

For the views of Liverpool head coach Matt Beard ahead of Sunday’s game, click on this link to Johnathan Stack‘s coverage of his media conference for Impetus: https://impetusfootball.org/2022/10/28/matt-beard-reds-are-taking-the-learnings-and-building/

Matt Beard: Reds Are “Taking The Learnings” And Building

Impetus’ Johnathan Stack was in Liverpool head coach Matt Beard‘s media conference today as the Reds’ head coach looked ahead to another tough fixture at Manchester City at the weekend (28/10/22).

Above: Liverpool head coach Matt Beard, who spoke to the media today ahead of The Reds’ trip to Manchester City on Sunday. Photo: Liverpool FC Women.

Liverpool will be looking at putting on another good display against top opposition this Sunday as they face Manchester City at the Academy Stadium.

The Reds have endured a tough start to the Barclays WSL season. An impressive opening-day win against Chelsea was followed by defeats at home to Everton and high-flying Arsenal. Matters don’t get any easier with a trip to City who themselves have had a mixed start to the season.

Liverpool picked up a vital Continental League Cup win against Leicester City in mid-week and Head Coach Matt Beard spoke of the positives from that game and what the team can take into the weekend’s game saying: “It was a good team performance. We looked at a different shape as well as we have been switching to 3-5-2 in a lot of the games with the injuries to the frontline, we’ve got I was pleased.

“I was pleased to get the goals from open play and pleased with scoring from a corner as well because last season we were dangerous from set plays. There were lots of positives to take. I felt we pressed Leicester well, we bypassed their press at times well, so from our perspective there were some valuable lessons learned and another way of playing which gives me a little bit of tactical flexibility with the group.”

The Reds’ hosts on Sunday are rejuvenated themselves having recorded back-to-back WSL wins against Leicester City and Tottenham Hotspur before getting their Continental Cup campaign underway with a powerful 6-0 win over Blackburn Rovers on Wednesday.

**Above:** Liverpool celebrate in midweek as they recorded a powerful 4-0 Conti Cup win over Leicester City. **Photo:** Liverpool FC Women.

Beard views Sunday’s opponents highly, stating: “They are a fantastic team. I feel it’s going to take them a little bit of time (to gel), especially with the turnover that they have had and the players they have lost. Each week their performance level gets better so it’s going to be a tough afternoon for us. We played them in pre-season, and it was a good game we learned a lot from it, so we can take some positives from that performance.

“If we look at the way that our season has gone so far, there are loads of positives we can take, but we just need to start turning the positivity into consistency and into points. “Gareth [Taylor] has done a good job since he’s been there, and it was always going to be tough taking over from Nick Cushing. But it’s a north-west derby and we are looking forward to the game.”

The Liverpool head coach emphasised how important it was for his side to ride the wave of their fiendishly tough run of fixtures to start their first WSL campaign after spending two seasons in the Championship. “There are no easy games in this division. “We won’t take anything for granted.

“What we will do is take the learnings that we’ve had in certain moments against these top sides to make sure we don’t allow it to happen against some of the teams that maybe we will be in and around, whether that’s now [or at the] end of the season, but what we have to do is remain positive.

“I said this after we played Chelsea, that we can’t get carried away. We just need to concentrate on ourselves and do as much as we can to put ourselves in a good position come to the Christmas break.”

Liverpool will be looking to put in a positive performance and pushing on up the table.

Chelsea “Know How Tough Villa Are”

Impetus’ Nathan Edwards was in Chelsea’s media conference this afternoon ahead of Sunday’s game with Aston Villa and reports on how General Manager Paul Green is expecting an exceptionally tough tussle at Kingsmeadow (28/10/22).

Above: Paul Green, Chelsea’s General Manager fully expects a hard battle on Sunday against Aston Villa. Photo: Flora McLean

Chelsea General manager Paul Green is more than aware that the champions have a big job on their hands as they face Aston Villa at Kingsmeadow on Sunday.

The Blues will be looking to add to their unbeaten run that stretches back to the opening day, where newly-promoted Liverpool stunned them at Prenton Park.

Green said about the threats the Villans hold, “We know how tough Carla Ward’s side will make it at the weekend.”

On that occasion last season, Chelsea were held at bay by a long series of sensational saves by Hannah Hampton in the Villa goal, but cometh the hour, cometh Sam Kerr as Green continued.

“We had that last season against them, it was probably one of trickiest games at home that needed a last-minute winner from Sam Kerr.”

**Above:** Sam Kerr scores her dramatic last-gasp winner for Chelsea against Aston Villa last season. **Photo:** Ben Gilby for *Impetus*.

“The celebrations after that goal, deep in injury time, show how difficult it will be and we have to try and use that momentum from midweek and try to carry it over to get a victory at Kingsmeadow on Sunday.”

The club’s General Manager also reflected on his spell to date in tandem with former Denise Reddy, stating how they have both “enjoyed stepping up” in Emma Hayes’ recovery from surgery.

Green and Reddy have been in charge of the Blues since Hayes underwent surgery in mid-October and have carried on the solid form.

The West London club are yet to lose under the pair and have recorded three consecutive clean sheets, the first time since April.

About his temporary role, Green said, “We (Green and Reddy) are really enjoying it but at the same time we will be delighted when Emma (Hayes) comes back.

**Above:** Denise Reddy, who has stepped up along with Paul Green in Emma Hayes’ absence. **Photo:** Washington Spirit.

“We have enjoyed stepping up in this period, and the process we have put in place for over ten years makes it an easier transition.

“Everybody has pulled together to get the results we need for the club, and for Hayes, in this period.”

On a personal level for the former Doncaster Rovers Belles manager, Hayes’ absence has meant he has had to handle the media, with Reddy taking control of on-field decisions.

Green said, “Seeing it from a different point of view, I now know some things that Hayes use to tell me when she had finished with the press or the office.

“We have won every game, so from that point of view it makes it easier to be in this position compared to if we hadn’t won games.”

Kelly Chambers: We’re Aware Of The Pressures And Relish The Challenges

Holly Wright was in Reading boss Kelly Chambers‘ media conference for Impetus ahead of this Sunday’s huge encounter with Leicester City as two teams still searching for their first WSL win of the season go head-to-head at the Select Car Leasing (Madejski) Stadium (28/10/22).

Above: Reading head coach Kelly Chambers – ready for a big game on Sunday. Photo: Thomas Lee Stacey Supplied to Impetus by: Reading FC Women.

After falling short of what would have been a sensational comeback away to West Ham United last weekend after a disappointing first-half performance, Reading head coach Kelly Chambers and her players have been working hard to ensure they start on the front foot when they host Leicester City on Sunday afternoon.

“We have addressed that in the group. I have got good experience within the group, and we don’t hide away from that. We have looked at that this week. We have analysed that, but we also wanted to move on from last weekend. We were disappointed but we need to start right. We need to start from the first whistle and the girls are fully aware of that. We have worked hard this week to make sure we are ready for the game and I’m ready for the challenge ahead.”

Reading have lost all four of their games meaning they currently sit level on points at the bottom of the league table with their opposition this weekend despite Leicester having played a game more. The Royals head coach admits that her team are fully aware of the pressures of this weekend and are relishing the challenge ahead.

“We are both in the same boat at the minute. It’s a case of this week’s just been focusing on us. Focusing on what we need to do. I don’t need to tell the girls that there is pressure on the game. They are old enough, wise enough, and experienced enough to know that but what I have made clear to them is we need to make sure that we go in with our game plan and we deliver our game plan.”

Although it is still early in the season the hosts will be determined to take the positive second-half performance against West Ham and the encouraging display against Arsenal into what could already be seen as an early regulation battle.

“There is no hiding from this game as much as it is still early on in the season. When you are coming up against a team that is in pretty much similar position as you want to make sure that you go into that game coming out on top. I haven’t had to lay that out to the girls this week. They know what pressures they want to put on themselves.”
Kelly Chambers, Reading head coach on the enormity of Sunday’s game against Leicester City.

“They know what they want to get out and achieve. It is still early days, but we go into every game trying to get something out of it, whether that be Leicester or Arsenal, or whether that be someone else. We know it’s going to be a good tough battle, but we are fully focused on Leicester this weekend to make sure that we are fully prepared for that game.”

Reading’s substitutes made a huge impact in their match last weekend impressing Chambers, but she insists it’s about picking the right players for the right opposition to get the result. “I’ve always looked at previous games and it’s a case of with the depth from squad that I have got, it’s about what players can do the job that I want them to do in certain positions. I am just lucky that I have got the players that I have got available to be able to have that choice.”

Both sides will no doubt be desperate for their first three points of the season as they try to create daylight and push away from the drop zone. Focusing on Leicester specifically, Chambers observed: “They are obviously in a bit of a difficult position like we are which is hard to be in, but we have been watching some of their games back and obviously analysing as we do. We know what threats that they have.

“They know and we know what they like to do and like anybody in this league, I think anybody on their day can beat anybody, so we are not going into this game light-hearted, and we know what it means to us to make sure that we get points on the board.”

Leicester have only hit the net once so far this season with the focus being put on Reading getting the first goal and starting on the front foot something which they failed to do against West Ham. Chambers is expecting a slightly different style of play from the one they faced last weekend:

“Everybody in this league has their different styles and Leicester are completely different to West Ham in terms of their style of play and the shape they play in. It’s been a case of making sure that we prepare for that, and their threats and working out where we can have our impact on the game. It’s going to be an exciting game, no doubt, but one the same as last week than we want to try and get something out of it.”

**Above:** Kelly Chambers – all eyes on three points for Sunday. **Photo:** Thomas Lee Stacey. **Supplied to Impetus by:** Reading FC Women.

The Royals have had great crowds at the Madejski Stadium this season with Sunday’s fixture looking to be more of the same with the crowd being called on to drive the players to get the much-needed result.

“It’s just amazing to see those people come through the door to support us and if those people are coming, we need (the fans) to be that extra player for us. We want to hear (them) singing because they want it just as much as me.”

There are no fresh injury concerns this weekend although Reading have already been hit with a few long-term absentees in the squad. “We have been hit with injuries quite hard with Deanna Rose getting injured and Emma Harries not back fully fit yet so that had taken a bit of a hit on us but to be fair I wanted a squad this year and I feel I’ve got that.

Five months after suffering an ACL injury playing for England under 23s against Holland in April, Harries made her return earlier this month only for her return to match fitness halted by another little niggle. “The game where she (Harries) took the knock against Arsenal has just set her back a little bit, which is disappointing because obviously she was a real threat against those but we need to look after.

“She is still very young, and we just need to give her time and make sure that we look after so she can complete the whole season. It’s been touch and go but I wouldn’t say that she would be available for this week.”

Rose faces a race against time to be fit for next year’s World Cup after sustaining a ruptured achilles in their opening WSL match of the season. “She will be out for the rest of the season. She has got a goal of trying to reach the World Cup and we are obviously fully on board to try and support her with that. In terms of us, there is hope that she could be back before the end of the season but that would be the very, very earliest.”

Sunday’s game between Reading and Leicester City at the Select Car Leasing Stadium will be available live on the FA Player with kick-off scheduled at 2pm. Alternatively, Reading will be providing live text commentary on their official Twitter channel with build-up beginning around 1pm.

**Above:** Kelly Chambers and Reading are hoping to be smiling come full-time on Sunday against Leicester City. **Photo:** Thomas Lee Stacey. **Supplied to *Impetus* by:** Reading FC Women.

Eidevall And Maanum Prepare For Zürich Test

Impetus’ Kris Goman was in Arsenal’s media conference ahead of tonight’s Champions League clash with FC Zürich. She heard from Friida Maanum on her current form, and head coach Jonas Eidevall about where last week’s win in Lyon puts the Gunners in the race to win the competition this year (27/10/22).

Above: Arsenal’s Friida Maanum (left) is in great form for the North London side and loving life at the club. Photo: The Guardian.

After demolishing Olympique Lyonnais 5-1 away last week, Arsenal get to play a Champions League match at home against FC Zürich at the Emirates Stadium.

With interest in women’s football at an all-time high, the Gunners are expecting a decent crowd and Jonas Eidevall’s in-form team, currently on a run of 12 successive wins in the WSL, are sure to put on a show as they look to continue their success against the Swiss side.

In the last two matches, Frida Maanum started in the place of Viviane Miedema, benching the Dutch superstar for her 150^th game for Arsenal. She’s also managed to score a goal in each of these last two matches proving Eidevall’s decision to be a good one.

The Norwegian international joined Eidevall at the media conference looking ahead to the Champions League tie. Maanum outlined how she’s enjoying her football at the moment.

”Yeah, I am. I’m really happy to be here at Arsenal. Also, to get game time which I’ve waited for a long time now.” Eidevall has shown trust in her the last couple of games and she’s repaid that faith. “Yeah, both against Lyon and Liverpool. When you’re not playing, you always want to play and when you get the chance you want to take it. I just try to do my best I can in the games.”

**Above:** Friida Maanum celebrating in Lyon last week. **Photo:** David Price/Arsenal WFC.

It was pointed out that one if the things she really brings is carrying the ball and dribbling. Maanum replied that her and Miedema are quite different. “If you play a team that suits me better, I can play the other way around with Viv but Jonas knows my strengths and of course my weaknesses as well. But like, in the Lyon game I just tried to be my best and like you say, I like to dribble the ball and also the high pressure fits me good.”

Clearly there’s intense competition for places in the squad and Eidevall has spoken of having so many players in such good form, despite the injuries. Maanum was asked if it’s helped her development as a player since moving from Linköpings to Arsenal. “Yeah, it’s really positive. We have a competitive squad. That makes the squad even stronger and the players even stronger because you have to work so hard in training to even play and I think that’s really strengthening our team.”

The same team started for both the Lyon and Liverpool games and she was questioned as to whether she accepted that she needed to be rested at some point in the season. “I mean it’s obviously hard to play games every third or fourth day but I think I have the fitness to do it and it’s obviously up to Jonas if he wants to play me or not but I feel like I’m here to play.”

”When you’re younger you always want to play but then, it’s always important to understand you have to rest as well. Probably some games, not only fitness but also for your head because it’s really intense to play every third or fourth day so, like I said, I think it’s really important that we have the depth in the squad that we have and that’s the strength there.”

When speaking about the match against Zürich, the Norwegian star admitted she wasn’t completely sure what to expect from them. “Yeah, to be honest, I haven’t watched a lot of Swiss games but obviously our team of analysts are analysing them all the time and we know what we’re meeting.

“Obviously it’s really important. Every game now is important. We know what we did in Lyon and then we have to build from there. It’s a completely different game tomorrow against Zürich and yeah, we just have to go out there and play our game.”

**Above:** Arsenal head coach Jonas Eidevall isn’t resting on his laurels after last week’s stunning 5-1 win at champions Olympique Lyonnais. **Photo:** KNews.Media.

Gunners head coach Jonas Eidevall has most definitely done his homework about tonight’s opposition, and highlighted what he expects to see.

It was mentioned that they formed one deep block and Juventus had to be very patient to break them down, and the Gunners chief concurred: “From seeing that game, it painted a very consistent picture through the whole game so it’s one of the ways we prepare for to play.”

With a sensational win in Lyon already in the bag, Eidevall is not resting on his laurels and is intent on going out all guns blazing with his strongest possible squad.

“We have to do our part, prepare as good as possible, execute as good as possible and then we have to see where that leaves us in the league table.”

When Arsenal play Zurich FC, they’ll be playing their 100^th game in the European football. Eidevall spoke about whether he thought a second European title could be on its way this season.

“I think for us to be playing one really good game away to Lyon and get a great result and to start speaking about winning the whole competition, I don’t like that. I don’t think that’s humble enough. It’s not where we come from.”
Arsenal head coach Jonas Eidevall on whether he sees his team pushing to lift the Champions League title this season.

“We’re still at a place where we know we’re a very good football team but we need to work extremely hard and develop in order to fulfil our potential as a team and that power and obligation from history we feel like we have, we know that there’s so many great football players and managers that have put this club in the position it’s in today and we’re so determined to try and leave this club in an even better place than we came into it with.”

Prior to last week’s trip to Lyon, Eidevall spoke about wanting to see how his team compared to the European champions. Following that 5-1 success, the Swede outlined what thinks now.

“I don’t know if I think about it on that deep level. We go game by game. We try to apply ourselves as good as possible. To make things really simple, that’s what we do. And what potential, what ceilings do we have? We’ll have to find out. But if we do 100% of good preparation and execution, we don’t have to regret anything. And I think when you do that, nights like that can happen in Lyon. It’s not a guarantee but it can happen and it was beautiful to be a part of. But we have to keep working and keep having that mindset and focus and maybe it can happen again.”

Mana Iwabuchi came on very late in the game against Liverpool on the weekend and she looked pretty upset after the game. Eidevall outlined the thought process in bringing on his Japanese star two minutes into second half stoppage time.

**Above:** Arsenal’s 2007 UEFA Women’s Cup winners. Jonas Eidevall won’t entertain thoughts of repeating the success this season as yet. **Photo** Ian Walton.

“That’s a management decision, of course. For me, every game I treat it with the utmost of respect. We saw when we played and used our last opportunity to sub against Ajax in the second game and Beth Mead got a concussion and had to be carried off and we had to finish that game with ten players.

“We know that it’s always a risk making use of the last sub too early because you don’t know what’s going to happen. In hindsight, it’s very easy to sit and say you could have used that opportunity earlier because now you know how it’s going to play out. But when you use that opportunity maybe 15 minutes before the game is over, you all of a sudden have to replace your goalkeeper or to deal with something else on the pitch and you end up turning a comfortable situation into a dangerous one.

“I’m the only one to blame and I need to take responsibility in those situations and that’s what I do by treating every second of the game with the utmost of respect.”

Finally, Eidevall highlighted the disparity between fixture scheduling when it comes to European ties which adversely impact the WSL sides saying, “You see the other teams that we’re playing in Europe, when we played the qualifiers for Ajax, they didn’t have a midweek or they didn’t have a weekend game in between the two games because the Dutch association, they want to prioritise to see if they can go into the group stage because they know that their players will get more competitive games so they choose to do it like that. I think and what I’m looking for is to have that discussion with the clubs and the forces that run the league to see how we get the same.”

Despite having more competitive games and less time to prepare for the Champions League ties than some of their opponents, Arsenal are looking pretty good so far.

Mia Hyland On Wanting To Push Herself At Saltdean United

In the latest of our series of interviews with Impetus’ sponsored players for 2022/23, Mia Hyland of fifth-tier London and South-East Premier side Saltdean United spoke to Ben Gilby about her footballing journey, and why she feels Saltdean United is the right club to challenge herself and grow her game (27/10/22).

Above: Mia Hyland wins a battle for Saltdean United. Photo: Simon Roe Photography.

Mia Hyland has had a deep love of the game since the earliest of ages as she grew up in Kent.

The Saltdean United player takes up the story: “I started playing football when I was five years old as part of a setup called cover coaching. I believe for the first few months I was the only girl playing against boys as not many girls played around that age at that time.

“When I hit six years old I was still playing against boys and a few girls until my family decided to set up a youth girls’ football team in the local area. I played there for about five years until I decided that it was time for me to play in a club that would really consolidate my footballing knowledge and progress my technique at Gillingham Centre of Excellence.

“During this time I also represented East Sussex County where I challenged myself to play in different areas to what I usually do because I value being versatile and expanding my knowledge of the game. I was part of the Gillingham centre for roughly four years and played a few games for the women’s first team, but when I hit 16, I decided that I wanted to look further to really push myself into the women’s game and so I left to play for Lewes Womens where I represented both the first and development team.

“I continued to play there for three years whilst growing and maturing under many influential coaches and playing alongside experienced women. When I turned 19, I left Lewes and went to study at university where from my second year I captained our women’s team and led a successful two-year league-winning team being promoted within the BUCS (university) leagues.

In my last year at university, I decided that I wanted to play football outside of my university team and so I signed with Hastings United women’s first team and played there for one season. It was there I gained many benefits like being paid to play and also playing alongside women I played with at Lewes. However, as it was tier six football, I knew I could give more and so in the summer, I joined Saltdean United which was a step up in the tiers.

**Above:** Mia Hyland. **Photo:** Saltdean United.

“When I look back at all the clubs I’ve played for and represented it truly does make you think about the future and where you can be and where football can take you. I’ve been unlucky this year in the sense that I’ve sustained my first proper injury and been out for five weeks which is something I’ve never experienced within any of my previous clubs but it only makes me work harder to get back fitter.”

Mia fully recognises that she would not be where she is now in the game without the support of her family and her early coaches.

“My mum and dad, more dad particularly, influenced me playing a lot. They’ve always been very honest with me and my sister about us playing football and driving us all up and down the country to do what we love, so I’m very grateful to them for pushing me to do what I love to do.

“I’d also say my assistant coach at Gillingham, Cori Daniels, a former Arsenal, and Charlton Athletic women’s defender massively influenced my journey. I never forget the coaching, the motivation to work hard, and the influence she had on me to want to go further in my football journey. It was that year she gave me the best advice and I went on to be top goal scorer, players player, and coaches player of the year that season and she just inspired me to keep being that player I am now.”

As a youngster growing up, whilst her friends were inspired by the likes of David Beckham or Wayne Rooney, Mia’s idols were from the women’s game. “As a youngster, I was always encouraged to watch the men’s game as the women’s game ‘wasn’t important,’ or ‘they just aren’t as good as the men’. I was running round screaming that I wanted to be like Jill Scott or Fara Williams! To me, all the female footballers in the early 2000s England team were idols because they always fought to strive to show women can equally be as great as the men could and it’s even more remarkable to see the foundations and legacy built that has set up the fantastic women’s squad for England this year.”

In terms of how she would describe herself as a player, Mia said: “As a young player I’ve always been that one that runs around, gets in the way, and likes to get on the ball, be a nuisance and never let a tackle go past me! However, as I’ve grown I feel like I’m very composed and also believe in fairness and sportsmanship. But I must admit I also can have some arrogance about myself from time to time because there’s nothing more important for a player to know their confidence and talent.”

As Mia highlighted earlier in the conversation, she recently suffered her first major injury and identifies that as the most challenging period she’s had as a player.

“The injury I sustained to my ankle this year has been hard being out for five weeks – it’s my first proper injury. It’s hard personally because when the one thing you love to do is taken away for a brief time, it’s a shock to the system. I’m still getting back into it slowly, starting to get some minutes in the tank whilst recovering properly so only time will tell when it’s fully healed.”

**Above:** Mia Hyland in action for Lewes. **Photo supplied by:** Mia Hyland.

Mia’s spell at Lewes gave her a first-hand look at the Sussex club’s unique set-up and sense of equality. She gave us examples of what life was like at The Dripping Pan.

“I was fortunate enough to play at Lewes when they first introduced the women’s pay to the team. I was 16/17 and was called up to the first team at that point. I was being a part of the setup that had been so supported for not just those current players but for future players was something incredible.

“Lewes very much are well known for their set up, and the amount of international representation they have and how far they’ve come from. I think previously when I was at the club where they had an option of a development squad it was very good for young players to learn in that environment which was always good I think, but I do believe the development setup has gone now which is a shame for women wanting a chance to experience Championship football, but the first team seems to have a lot of success and their set up works for them and it’s nice to see the Lewes results reflecting that positively.”

Focusing on her current club, Mia is full of praise for the club she is now part of at Saltdean United. “The club is very dedicated to progressing women’s football from setting up youth teams to fighting for new stadiums for all the women’s teams to play in. They’re a club that backs their players and gives them the facilities to grow and recover. It’s nice to be a part of a team that manages your well-being as well as the club’s successes, which is very rare in some teams.”

Whilst Saltdean had a challenging campaign last season, they remained in the London & SE Premier and Mia has high hopes for a better 2022/23 for the club.

“We have started off very strong and are looking to stay well within the top half of the league table. Of course, within any league, there are many well-known faces, players coaches who have stepped down from tiers three and four and who will be a challenge. But this year hopefully with many new faces to Saltdean and new coaches we will be more successful than last year.

“My aim personally is to step up my game massively and get fitter from three years worth of university football. What I want mainly is to push myself and challenge myself against teams that will push me to work harder. All in all, the aims are to get results as there is nothing greater than a winning side and I love being a part of a team that wants that and works hard to get that as this is definitely something I always strive for.”