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WSL Preview: Everton v Arsenal Women

Everton v Arsenal Women. May 17, 2023. Walton Hall Park.

As we enter the home straight of the Women’s Super League season, there is still plenty to play for as we make the trip up to Merseyside.

Our Gunners face mid-table Everton on Wednesday evening, looking for our third consecutive win in the league and a step closer to a place in next year's Champions League.

Last time around

The last time we faced the Toffees was back in December 2022, as Vivianne Miedema's stellar strike was the only difference between the two sides. 

Despite the narrow scoreline at Meadow Park, our Gunners had the lion's share of possession and shots on target and will be looking to capitalise more on big chances in the reverse fixture. 

Improvement from the Toffees

Everton celebrate a goal

With Everton's mid-table position more and less guaranteed, they've already managed to improve on last campaign's showing when they finished 10th.

After Brian Sorensen joined the Toffees as head coach in the summer, they enjoyed early wins against Liverpool, Leicester and Aston Villa but failed to take much away from games against the top four.

At home, they have lost to Villa, Man United, Man City and Chelsea this season. Following their 7-0 defeat to Chelsea at Kingsmeadow, Everton will be looking to bounce back and finish their season strongly. 

When they host us at Walton Hall Park, they will be without England international Jess Park, who returned to Manchester City following her loan spell on Merseyside, and promising defender Gabby George - ruled out for the rest of the season with a hamstring injury.

What the managers say

Eidevall on Everton: "They are very consistent in the way they play. I think it comes from obviously their coach, Brian, who has a very clear idea of how he wants them to play. That is not only dependent on one or two players.

"We're looking forward to the game, but we know it's going to be a tough challenge."

Sorensen on us: "[In our first meeting back in December], we were not efficient and we could have had a smash and grab at the end but it would not have been fair if you look at the game picture.

"Tomorrow, we will try to be more efficient in our press so they do not have these shots on goal. However, out of the 33 probably 15 of them were from outside the box which is not so dangerous but we will definitely try to improve that."

Team news

Caitlin Foord and Steph Catley line-up ahead of a game

At his pre-match press conference, Eidevall revealed that both Steph Catley and Caitlin Foord could be involved on Wednesday. Our head coach also confirmed that Gio was available, despite the Brazilian hobbling off the pitch against Brighton & Hove Albion. As for Lina Hurtig, this fixture has come "one game too soon".

Beth Mead, Vivianne Miedema, Leah Williamson, Kim Little, and Laura Wienroither have all been ruled out for the rest of the season. 

How to watch

Lotte Wubben-Moy chats to Jodie Taylor after AWFC score against Brighton

The action kicks off at Walton Hall Park at 6:15pm (UK). For those at home, you can watch along live on Sky Sports, with coverage starting from 5:30pm.

Facts and stats

Stina Blackstenius, Frida Maanum and Kathrine Kuhl celebrate Stina's goal at Brighton
  • After beating us in their very first WSL game in July 2011, Everton have since lost 16 of their last 17 matches against us

  • No team has ever won more against a single opponent than we have with the Toffees. Our 14 consecutive wins against them is the longest winning run in the Women's Super League

  • Stina Blackstenius scored two goals in two minutes against Brighton last week. Her eight goals this season are the joint most by a Swedish player in a WSL season

  • Since the beginning of March, only Rachel Daly and Khadija Shaw have been involved in more league goals than Frida Maanum. Our Norwegian has bagged five goals and two assists over that period. With 19, she’s also completed the joint most take-ons in that time

  • In their last WSL match, Everton were subjected to their biggest-ever defeat in the league - 7-0 to Chelsea. They have won three of their last five home WSL matches, one more than in their previous 13 combined

  • Our 4-0 away victory at Brighton & Hove Albion was our 14th win by four or more goals under Jonas Eidevall in the league. Since the start of last season, that is four more than any other WSL side

  • This season, the Toffees have picked up only one point in their six games against the teams currently in the top-four: a 0-0 away draw at Manchester United

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