Match preview

WSL Preview: Tottenham Hotspur v Arsenal Women

Tottenham Hotspur v Arsenal Women. December 16, 2023. Tottenham Hotspur Stadium

We're in Women's Super League action this Saturday for the very last time in 2023, and for a north London derby no less.

After a Conti Cup penalty shootout victory over our local rivals in midweek, Jonas Eidevall's side have a second meeting with Tottenham Hotspur as we aim to close out the year on a high. 

Last time around

Our Conti Cup tie may have ended 3-3 in midweek but last time around in the WSL, we hit five past Spurs at Brisbane Road in a commanding victory. 

Caitlin Foord, Stina Blackstenius, Kim Little and Frida Maanum were on the scoresheet back in March, with Beth England pulling one back for the hosts from the spot.

In the reverse fixture last season, we put on a show for the Emirates Stadium faithful in a 4-0 victory. 

Facts and stats

Vivianne Miedema in action against Tottenham Hotspur
  • Tottenham have never beaten us in the Women's Super League and have also never kept a clean sheet (L6 D1)
  • Vivianne Miedema could make her 100th WSL appearance against Spurs. Our number 11 has the most combined goals and assists in WSL history with 112 – 78 goals and 34 assists
  • We have won seven straight WSL games, scoring at least twice in each. We have bagged 16 goals in our last four matches
  • Beth England has scored three goals in her last six appearances against us, though two of these goals were for Chelsea. England scored a penalty in our last WSL meeting with Spurs
  • After a six-game unbeaten run in the league this season, Spurs have since lost consecutive games by an aggregate scoreline of 11-0
  • Beth Mead has been directly involved in 19 goals in her last 17 WSL starts, racking up 12 goals and seven assists. In both of her last two starts against Tottenham, our number 9 has scored and assisted
  • Our Gunners have scored the most goals from direct attacks of any WSL side this campaign (4)

What the managers say

Jonas Eidevall smiles in his pre-Brighton press conference

Eidevall on Spurs: "You can see that [Vilahamn] has changed the way they’ve been playing. You can see they’ve been very good with that process. [Spurs] have a very clear identity of how they want to play. They’ve been sticking with that, both in good times and in bad times. 

"We prep the same way for every game. The next game is our most important game. We’re really determined and motivated to try and end this year on as high a level as possible."

Vilahamn on us: "We are going to go for it, of course. We are also going to be brave. The fans want to see us play really good offensive football and try and score many goals. That's my way to create an environment where you want to be watching our games." 

Team news

Kim Little in action at Emirates Stadium against Chelsea

Kim Little could make her 300th Arsenal appearance on Saturday, though Eidevall has warned that our skipper is still being assessed after limping off against Chelsea: "Kim is a question mark from the Chelsea game. We will need to review and assess that, then we will see tomorrow."

Beyond that, there are no fresh injury concerns. Leah Williamson, Laura Wienroither and Teyah Goldie continue their ACL rehabilitation at London Colney. 

How to watch

Steph Catley holds possession against Tottenham Hotspur

Kick-off at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium is set for midday on December 16.

Our away allocation for the tie has sold out but all the action will be live on Sky Sports, with coverage from 11:30am.