ᑕ❶ᑐ Arsenal v Chelsea: Why ‘season-defining’ WSL tie could be biggest women’s club game in Europe

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What happens when an unstoppable force meets another unstoppable force?

Both teams have been in irresistible form domestically – Chelsea have won nine consecutive games in the competition and the WSL top scorer with 31 goals in 10 games.

Arsenal are 3 points behind in second place, having played one less game, and have also lost just one league game this season – at home to Manchester United in November.

It was in European competition that the two really provided the attention, having reached the quarter-finals of the Champions League by winning tough groups.

Arsenal ahead of Lyon, defending champion, after surprising the eight-time winners 5-1 in France in their first group game.

Chelsea, meanwhile, cruised through Group A with 16 points from six games, making light work of a pool also containing PSG and Real Madrid to exorcise the memory of their exit from the group stage 12 years ago. month .

Former England international Anita Asante, who played for both Arsenal and Chelsea, thinks the argument that their encounter is the most important in European women’s club (Site notre bureau spécialisé) has merit.

She told BBC Sport: « Whether either team is the best in Europe, time will tell, but if either team has reached the Champions League final champions, this will get them into this conversation. They are definitely two of the best teams in Europe.

“It’s up there for me, personally. Look in Spain, no team is close to Barcelona. In France, Lyon have beaten PSG nine out of 10 times.

« And look at the thin margins – it’s a difference of a but or a decision every game. »

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« It’s the season that defines »

Regardless of the size of the game debate, there is a certain part in the role of the great in the decision of the title of champion of England.

Arsenal and Chelsea have won the last six WSL titles between them – Chelsea have won five, including the previous 3 – and while Manchester United and City were both in fine form before Christmas, it would take a remarkable turnaround for the trophy to leave London.

« It’s the definition of the season, » Asante said.

“If Chelsea asked Arsenal, they will feel in control, and vice versa. They both know there is a lot at stake; the league is tight and it’s hard to win if you drop points, especially against rivals next to you in the table.

“If Chelsea win, they will be six points clear. It’s going to be a huge buffer, having that cushion and knowing they have to chase you. »

If Arsenal want to close the gap, they must do so without two of their key players, Beth Mead and Vivianne Miedema.

Mead and Miedema are expected to miss the rest of this season with anterior cruciate ligament injuries in their knee. Mead suffered his own towards the end of the 3-2 loss to United, with Arsenal’s woes compounded by the Netherlands international suffering the same injury weeks later.

Arsenal continued to impress even without the pair, however, and Asante says she was hugely impressed with the team’s mentality and resilience, which could be key against Chelsea.

She said: « It’s a travesty that they lost two key players, but even before that players like [Caitlin] food and [Frida] Maanum took space and responsibility, especially in attacking play.

“It’s a resilient team, which has imposed itself. Return captain and leader [Leah] Williamson is key, Raffaele Souza has been a great signing.

“The problem is long term. They’re all aiming for trophies, and the manager can’t rotate as much as he wants, that’s where the problems will arise. They trust the players they have, they all have an identity that everyone agrees with. . I spoke to Jen Beattie and she said it was better that she played in terms of unity. »

« Have a Moment of Inspiration »

Chelsea, meanwhile, have been close to perfection since losing 2-1 to Liverpool on September 18 in their WSL season opener. They haven’t lost a game in all competitions since, with Sam Kerr and Fran Kirby leading the goalscoring charts.

They haven’t suffered long-term injuries to the same extent as Arsenal and have seen their squad bolstered by The return of Melanie Leupolz after maternity leave. For Asante, this team strength could give them the edge.

« For Chelsea they have always been a relentless team, » she said. “They have so many options off the bench that seamlessly flow into the squad.

“What makes Chelsea dangerous is that they can hurt you with or without the ball. They’re so dangerous on the counterattack, with those focal points in Kirby and Kerr.

« Their only weakness is themselves, individual mistakes – they play from behind, a lot of teams have failed in those moments. Ann-Katrin Berger is an exceptional goalkeeper but she has made a mistake or two recently. »

Last season, only one point separated these two teams in the final standings for the title, and head to head in the WSL era, nothing separated them. In 22 WSL encounters, the two have won nine each and there have been four draws.

So where will the game be won and lost?

« I always think games are won and lost in midfield, » Asante said. “The battle of midfield, the team that serves the players who cause the most damage. Erin Cuthbert and Kirby, [Guro] Riding is safe in the right areas. Chelsea score a lot of goals the same way, if they do they can win.

“I hope these are moments of magic rather than error – a moment of inspiration. Every time we’ve had a derby it’s been moments like this, like Sophie Ingle’s volley in 2020. Hopefully this is one of those games. »