Pre-Match Report

Preview: Arsenal Women v Watford

Arsenal Women v Watford Women

Our women’s team are back in action for the first time in 2024 with the visit of Watford in the Adobe Women’s FA Cup.

The fourth-round tie kicks off at 1pm (BST) at Meadow Park on Sunday and new signing Emily Fox could be set to make her Gunners debut.

Last time we met

Last time Watford

It's been more than six years since our last competitive meeting with Watford, which we won 6-0 in the FA Women's Continental Tyres League Cup group stages.

Away from home in November 2017, Jodie Taylor gave us an early lead but we were just 1-0 up at half-time. 

The second-half performance was dominant, as goals from Danielle Carter, Emma Mitchell, Dominique Janssen and Danielle van de Donk were followed by a second from Taylor to round out a convincing performance.

We went onto win the Conti Cup that season, beating Manchester City 1-0 in the final.

What the managers say

Eidevall on Watford: "They have been true to their style of play, they are brave and they're keeping their heads up high. I think they know that some of the injuries they have had has been quite hard on them and they probably could have had a couple of more points in the Championship as well, so I think they keep believing.

“They knew this was not going to be an easy season from a result perspective in the Championship but I think they go in with a lot of belief into the last half of the season, and I think they can rightfully do so.” - read every word from Jonas' press conference.

Lathrope on us: "They're full of world-class talent. Most of our players are used to watching them on the television, not competing with them on the pitch, so it's a good occasion for the fans, the players, the staff, for everyone.

"We're really confident that we can go and give a good account of ourselves. These games don't come around too often and it's an opportunity for players within our group to show everybody what they've got because we've got players with aspirations to go and play at higher levels.

Team news

Leah team news

After our January training camp in Portugal, Leah Williamson is close to a return but needs a bit more time in full team training, while Laura Wienroither is a little bit further back. Kim Little is expected to miss out on Sunday's game with a foot injury and Lina Hurtig has a back problem that rules her out of contention.

For Watford, the three players who are on loan from us - Michelle Agyemang, Katie Reid and Laila Harbert - are all eligible to play in the match.

How to watch

Women Meadow Park

Tickets for the game have now sold out but, for those who want to watch the game remotely, it is being shown live on The FA Player.

Otherwise, you can stay updated across our social media channels and we will be providing a full match report as well as all the post-match reaction right here on Arsenal.com. 

No More Red

No More Red tops

We’ll be wearing an all-white kit this weekend as part of our No More Red campaign, which is in its third year of supporting the long-standing work undertaken by Arsenal in the Community to help keep young people safe from knife crime and youth violence - find out more.

"It's the first time for the women's team to wear the No More Red jerseys," Eidevall explained in his pre-match press conference. "I think that's a really powerful message. It's such a visual campaign and a lot of the message is in the match jersey.

"I think one part that is really nice is that we're able to have both first teams wearing the jersey, but also secondly to see that it's not a one-off campaign, that it’s the third consecutive season that we're running the campaign. I think in order to change things, you need to be able to invest long-term in them as well and it's been really pleasing to see the club and adidas have been willing to do that."

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