By Chris Harris
Opportunity will knock for the cream of Arsenal Ladies' youth crop on Wednesday.
Laura Harvey's side host FC Bobruichanka in the second leg of their Champions League tie and, with a 4-0 first-leg lead in the bag, the manager will take the chance to promote some of the Club's talented youngsters.
Harvey is without two of her most experienced players – Faye White (knee) and Julie Fleeting (ankle) - but she says Arsenal fans can get to know three new faces at Meadow Park.
"We have brought up three from the youth ranks,” explained Harvey. “They are Hayley Ladd, she plays in defence or midfield, Melissa Lawley, she's a striker, and a Welsh midfielder Angharad James. It's good that we can give these players an opportunity, they can see what the Women's Champions League is like.
"It's a bit strange really. Because of the squad quota of 20 in the Women's Super League it's a bit difficult to give the youngsters a chance in that competition but I can give them some minutes on Wednesday.
"Equally, the girls who are playing all year round can get a breather. Having said that I'll keep them around the group to maintain that professionalism and help the younger players."
It would take a shock of seismic proportions to deny Arsenal a place in the last 16 of the competition. The Belarus champions gave the Ladies half a game on home soil before running out of steam in the second period.
Goals from Ellen White, Jordan Nobbs, Jennifer Beattie and Katie Chapman secured a 4-0 first-leg advantage for the English treble winners but Harvey will not tolerate a complacent performance at Meadow Park.
"We didn't play very well in the first half but the scoreline was never in doubt," said the manager. "We were never going to lose the game but we were frustrated with our quality on the ball.
"I think 4-0 probably reflects the game because we stepped it up in the second half. Before the first leg we didn't have the best of journeys, we didn't have a lot to eat or a lot of sleep. But that won't be the case this time so we have no excuses at Boreham Wood."
It’s FREE entry for all spectators at Meadow Park on Wednesday. Kick-off is 4pm so get along to Borehamwood and cheer on the treble winners.
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