Arsenal Ladies can approach their top-of-table clash at Chelsea with confidence after an impressive result at Manchester City, according to Pedro Martinez Losa.
The Gunners had struggled with injuries ahead of the City game earlier this month, but fought hard to secure a 1-0 victory at the Academy Stadium.
Kelly Smith and Leah Williamson are the latest players to be sidelined, but Losa believes his squad still carries enough quality to win away at the league leaders.
"Chelsea have to lose at one point, so why not on Thursday?"
Pedro Martinez Losa
“Players have opportunities to step up,” the manager told Arsenal.com. “Manchester City was the same when we lost players at the last moment like Casey Stoney, Siobhan Chamberlain and Jordan Nobbs - and those players who replaced them performed well.”
Arsenal were knocked out of the FA Cup by Chelsea the last time the sides met, but Losa is confident his side can extend their three-game winning streak.
“It was maybe too early in the season for us and the competitiveness of the team was improving,” he said. “Now we are more competitive and we’ve got a few good results so we have happiness, belief and confidence in ourselves that we can produce good results.
“Every game in this league is very difficult because the level of competition in every game is huge so we just want to be competitive, go to the game and have a chance of winning.
“The preparation is important and taking care of the little details will give us the opportunity to get something positive there. Chelsea have to lose at one point, so why not on Thursday?”
Arsenal Ladies face Chelsea at Wheatsheaf Park on Thursday. Kick-off is at 7.30pm (UK time) and you can follow updates on @ArsenalLadies from 7.25pm.
Kelly Smith
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