Pre-Match Report

Arsenal v Birmingham City - The Brief

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Joe Montemurro’s side will be hoping to maintain their perfect start to the season on Sunday when they host Birmingham City at Meadow Park.

THE STORY SO FAR

We head into this fixture off the back of a 4-0 win over Bristol City on the road, thanks to a brace from Vivianne Miedema and strikes from Jordan Nobbs and Danielle van de Donk. 

This means Miedema has taken her tally up to 14 for the season, while Nobbs has found the back of the net six times in her last eight appearances across all competitions.

We currently boast the league’s most prolific frontline, having scored 31 goals in just six WSL fixtures - and things have looked good at the other end of the pitch too.

The only goals we’ve conceded in the WSL this season came in our 4-3 home win over West Ham, meaning we’ve kept clean sheets in each of our remaining five league fixtures. 

We’re currently top of the table, with a three-point advantage over second-placed Manchester City.

Miedema against Reading

THE OPPOSITION

No one has conceded fewer goals than us in the WSL this season, but there’s one team who are level - and that team is Birmingham City.

The Blues are currently third on 13 points, having picked up four wins from their opening six league fixtures, and they secured each of those victories with the same 1-0 scoreline.

Their only loss of the season so far came against Manchester City in a thrilling 3-2 home encounter, but they’ll head into this fixture full of confidence after holding reigning champions Chelsea to a 0-0 draw. 

Ann-Katrin Berger has also saved more big chances (8) than any other goalkeeper in the WSL this season.

THE MANAGER’S NOTES

“I know that they’re a very good team,” Montemurro told Arsenal.com.

“I watched both the Chelsea and Manchester City games that they played earlier in the season and they have a very organised structure, both defensively and going forward. 

“They have the ability to retain the ball and create, so we have to make sure that we’re smart in the way that we approach the game so that we can exploit their weaknesses and come away with all three points.”

Montemurro

ONE TO WATCH

Given that Birmingham pride themselves on their defensive organisation, we’ll be needing a moment of magic to unlock their defence on Sunday - and Van de Donk is more than capable of providing that.

The Netherlands international thrives in tight spaces with her quick feet and trickery, so if the opposition dare to get close to her, don’t be surprised if she slips past and creates an opening. 

Capable of playing as a No 8, No 10 or as a winger, the 27-year-old is dangerous in any position that she receives the ball.

She’s scored five goals and recorded three assists in the WSL this season, and under the guidance of Montemurro, she’s showing no signs of slowing down.

Van de Donk

FOLLOW THE ACTION

You can watch the game on BBC Red Button - or you can follow our LIVE updates on Twitter @ArsenalWFC

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