Pre-Match Report

Crawley Wasps v Arsenal: The Brief

AWFC

We kick off our SSE Women’s FA Cup campaign on Sunday with a fourth-round clash against Crawley Wasps.

THE STORY SO FAR

We will be hopeful of going one step further in the competition this season, after slipping to a 3-1 defeat to Chelsea in the final last May.

Since then, we’ve won 19 of our last 21 fixtures under Joe Montemurro - and find ourselves just one point off top spot in the Women’s Super League with a game in hand. 

We’ve scored more goals than any other side (50), 10 more than league leaders Manchester City, in addition to boasting the league’s third best defence.

During our last outing, we recorded a convincing 3-0 win over Reading, courtesy of goals from Vivianne Miedema, Kim Little and Katie McCabe. 

Miedema’s opener against the Royals set a new WSL record, as she became the first player to score 16 goals in a single season. 

Viv shares some tactical insight with Joe Montemurro

THE OPPOSITION

Fourth division Crawley Wasps head into this game in fine form, having won all but one fixture across all competitions this season.

They kicked off their FA Cup campaign with a 3-1 win over Denham United on the road, before defeating Chesham United and QPR Girls 3-0 and 6-0 respectively.

This was followed up by a 2-0 victory over Chichester City in the second round, and then a 2-1 win over Coventry United, sealing their place in the fourth round. 

The Wasps are currently top of the FA Women’s National League Division 1 South East, having picked up maximum points from their opening 10 fixtures.

Midfielder Emma Plewa has scored nine goals in just seven starts this season, while forward Sian Heather has scored 10 goals in 14.

ONE TO WATCH

Melissa Filis will be desperate to feature on Sunday, after recording an assist with her first touch as a substitute against Reading last weekend.

The youngster received the ball on the turn, beat her marker and teed up McCabe, who fired into the top corner from 25 yards.

With big clashes against Manchester United and Liverpool on the horizon, Montemurro may call a number of academy products into action on Sunday.

Arsenal Women

FOLLOW THE ACTION

Be sure to follow our Twitter account @ArsenalWFC for live updates on Sunday

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