WSL Preview: West Ham Women v Arsenal

After almost a month away, we return to the Women's Super League with a visit to mid-table West Ham United on Sunday evening. 

Two cup wins last week bolstered our Gunners and we're looking to build on that momentum with some fresh faces in the camp.

Victoria Pelova, Kathrine Kuhl, and Gio all impressed in their cup appearances and this fixture could see Jonas Eidevall grant them their WSL debuts in the red and white. 

Last time around

We've already faced the Hammers once this season already. The London side paid Meadow Park a visit back in November and they started the game strongly - Dagny Brynjarsdóttir putting the visitors in the lead after 35 minutes. 

Jordan Nobbs scored a vital equaliser just before half-time and our Gunners rallied in the second half, with Frida Maanum and Stina Blackstenius all getting on the scoresheet to complete the comeback. 

The Hammers' season so far

It's been a polarising season so far for the Hammers, who have yet to record a draw. Currently occupying seventh place in the WSL table, West Ham have bagged impressive wins over Aston Villa, Spurs and Everton, but struggled against high-flyers Chelsea, Manchester United and Manchester City.

Their last WSL fixture against Everton ended in a 3-0 loss but the London side did win both their FA Cup and Continental Cup matches last week. 

Dagny Brynjarsdóttir and Viviane Asseyi are undoubtedly where the visitors' biggest threat lies. Between them, they have scored 60% of West Ham’s Barclays WSL goals this season. They’ve also had 44% of West Ham’s 97 total efforts at goal - Asseyi 26, Brynjarsdóttir 17. 

What the managers say

Eidevall on West Ham: "They're a versatile team. I think they've proven themselves to be a real threat with their aerial abilities, especially with Brynjarsdóttir.

"We knew from the game we played against them in the autumn that they pose a lot of different threats and challenges to the way that we play. So we need to have a top game in order to get the victory."

Konchesky on us: "Of course, you have to test yourself against the teams at the top and Arsenal are undoubtedly one of those sides. They've been able to add a couple of players throughout January and they're going to be even stronger. 

"It's always good to face off against the teams at the top because that's where we as a Club are striving to be."

How to watch

We'll be kicking off at the Chigwell Construction Stadium at 6.45pm (UK). For those at home, you can cheer on our Gunners by watching the game live on Sky Sports.

Team news

In Jonas' pre-match press conference, he stated that Lia Walti was "progressing" following the minor injury that kept her out against Aston Villa and Leeds, but "West Ham, unfortunately, looks a bit too early for her."

Beth Mead and Vivianne Miedema remain sidelined for the foreseeable with ACL injuries sustained last year. No further injuries have been reported in our squad. 

On the West Ham side, Konchesky confirmed that he had almost a fully-fit squad: “Long-term, we have Jess Ziu who is unavailable, and Amber Tysiak may not be ready, but we will have a full bench for the first time this season, which is exciting.”

Facts and stats

• West Ham have lost all eight of their Barclays WSL meetings with us. The only teams to face another more often while losing every game are Everton vs Man City (13) and Brighton vs Arsenal (9)
• None of West Ham United’s last 17 league games have ended as a draw, winning six and losing 11. Their most recent draw was last March at home to Man United
• We dropped points for only the second time in our last 18 Barclays WSL matches last time out after drawing 1-1 with Chelsea. Our Gunners haven’t gone consecutive games without a win since last February, when we drew with Man Utd and Chelsea
• January's 1-1 draw with Chelsea featured neither Beth Mead nor Vivianne Miedema - ending a run of 111 WSL games featuring either player. The last time we went consecutive games without Mead or Miedema was before Mead’s debut in May 2017
• West Ham won their last Barclays WSL London derby, beating Spurs in December. Before that, they’d won just one out of 23 games against fellow London opposition (D3 L19).
• We have won our last eight away matches in the Women's Super League. Only Manchester City, between July 2016 and January 2018, won more consecutive away games in the competition (12 in a row)