WSL Preview: Arsenal Women v Everton

Our first Women's Super League fixture of 2024 kicks off today - a 2pm clash with Everton at Meadow Park.

The Toffees have had a tough start to the campaign, winning just three times and occupying eighth spot in the table. Meanwhile, our Gunners only trail league-leaders Chelsea by three points and will be looking to kickstart the second half of the season with a bang.

Last time around

The last time our Gunners faced Brian Sorensen's side, we scored four goals in the space of 13 minutes to cruise to victory on Merseyside. Caitlin Foord, Katie McCabe and Lotte Wubben-Moy were all on the scoresheet back in May 2023.

For our most recent encounter at Meadow Park, Vivianne Miedema was the difference-maker in a 1-0 win over a year ago.

Team news

Leah Williamson is continuing to progress well in her recovery from an ACL injury, and the Lionesses captain has been in team training since January's training camp.

While Eidevall said that the Everton game would come "too soon" for Leah, she is expected to be in contention very soon.

Kim Little and Lina Hurtig's injuries are still expected to keep them away from the matchday squad on Saturday. Laura Wienroither and Teyah Goldie are continuing their ACL recovery at London Colney.

Facts and stats

We have beaten Everton in each of our last 15 Women’s Super League meetings. This is our best record against any opposition in the league
The Toffees come to Meadow Park unbeaten in their last four away matches. They have only achieved a longer unbeaten run once in the WSL, back in 2011. We were the side to break that five-match streak
We have won our past four WSL matches at home. The last time we recorded five consecutive home wins was in October 2022
In her last five appearances against Everton, Katie McCabe has five goal involvements (3 goals, 2 assists)
Manchester City were the only side in the league to accrue more shots in 2023 than us. Only three WSL teams accumulated an xG of over 50 in the last 12 months: City, Chelsea and us.

What the managers say

Eidevall on Everton: "Essentially, I believe very much in what Brian [Sorensen] is trying to do. Everton have been consistent in the way that they’ve been playing. They haven’t let short-term results influence too much on their belief in what they’re trying to achieve as a group long-term.

"I think both the team and Brian have been very calm and methodological in the way they’ve been handling that. They’ve picked up some results lately but the reality has been that, in some of the games earlier on in the season, they could’ve picked up results as well but they didn’t. Being long-term in their ambition has paid off for them.

Sorensen on us: "They have an unbelievable squad and really good player experience, so it's going to be a tough, tough task.

"I think every time we play against those top four teams, we try to do the same thing and at times, that makes it more difficult for us. But that's what I believe in. We're up for the fight and we're going to try everything we can to be brave and match the challenge."