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Writer's pictureLucy Casey

Arsenal vs Chelsea preview: Who will go top of the league?

Tomorrow Chelsea travel to Meadow Park to face Arsenal in their first Women’s Super League game of 2023.

As the top two teams in the WSL currently, with the Gunners trailing slightly in second, both teams need the points to secure top spot.


But who will go top?

What’s happened so far?

At the Winter break, Chelsea lead with 27 points in 1st, whilst the Gunners have 24 points and a game in hand.


After 10 games the Blues have won an impressive 9, in which their first game of the season brought their only defeat against Liverpool.


Emma Hayes has created many impressive results, but the 8-0 clean sheet against Leicester last month steals the show.

Jonas Eidevall’s side have followed a similar pattern, with only 1 loss against Manchester United at the Emirates in November.


Arsenal have suffered an injury crisis, but this transfer window has provided them with two midfielders- Victoria Pelova and Kathrine Kuhl- who are hopeful to expand the goal difference even further.


Alongside the Women’s Super League, both teams have been successful in their Champions League campaign, in which both teams have secured quarter-final spots.


Team news:

Injuries have been contagious in the Arsenal camp recently. Vivianne Miedema has joined Beth Mead with an ACL injury in the Champions League, which has shifted the Gunner’s dynamic. Also, Arsenal Legend Jordan Nobbs has jumped ship to Aston Villa, so the new signings will have big boots to fill in the midfield.

Bethany England has departed Chelsea too, but with Guro Reiten’s impressive scoring tally so far this season, the Blues maintain their strong form.


Who to look out for:

All eyes will be on Arsenal’s latest signings Pelova and Kuhl. Their impressive goal scoring and assisting qualities for their previous clubs and national teams resonate with many in these top WSL sides, so the pressure to maintain their high standards will certainly be put to test in arguably the toughest fixture of the season.


Manuela Zinsberger is always a shot stopping threat, with 6 clean sheets just this season.


Fran Kirby has found herself six times on the score sheet, whilst last season’s top goal scorer Sam Kerr has found the net 5 times for the Blues.

Previous meeting:

Out of the last 34 games that the two sides have come head to head, Arsenal have secured 12 wins, Chelsea have earned all the points 16 times and both have taken a point 6 times.


This is the first time the two come up against each other this season, so what will the outcome be?


Where to watch:

Sky Sports!

Score prediction:

Arsenal 2-2 Chelsea














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