Preview: Arsenal v United Women

The two teams have both made strong starts to the WSL season and are set to go head-to-head with each other in the competition, in front of a bumper crowd, at 17:30 GMT. 

It will also be United’s final outing before December’s meeting with Aston Villa at Old Trafford and the first of five fixtures to come for Marc Skinner's team before Christmas.

But before then and ahead of this weekend’s fixture, we’ve rounded up everything that you need to know prior to the Arsenal game, including the TV information, the latest team news and a form guide, all of which you can find below…

HOW TO WATCH AND FOLLOW

United’s away allocation for the encounter at the Emirates Stadium is now sold out, but United fans can still follow along with the action via updates in the United App and @ManUtdWomen on Twitter.

Supporters in the UK will also be able to watch the 17:30 GMT kick-off live on Sky Sports.

THE OPPOSITION

Jonas Eidevall’s side have made a strong start to the WSL campaign in their quest for a first league title since 2019. The Gunners missed out by a point on the final day of last term and are already showing their credentials in pursuit of bringing an end to Chelsea’s ongoing three-year grip on the league’s silverware. 2021/22’s second-place finish did however see them qualify for the Champions League and having surpassed the one preliminary round that they had to get through, the Londoners are now competing in the group stage of Europe’s elite club competition for the third time in the last four seasons. 

Beth Mead and Stina Blackstenius top their goalscoring charts across all competitions this term (five each), with Mead a recent runner-up for the Ballon d'Or Feminin prize following a stellar year in which she helped England win the European Championship as the Player of the Tournament and the Golden Boot winner.

TEAM NEWS

Skinner explained during his pre-match press conference on Thursday afternoon that the Reds have no injury issues ahead of Saturday's match, with long-term absentee Aoife Mannion not ready to play but back in team training. 

Defender Ona Batlle hasn't played since suffering a concussion against Brighton last month but could therefore be in contention to return once more.

FORM GUIDE

United will be aiming to respond to a 3-1 defeat to Chelsea last time out. Before then, the Reds had won five from five in the new WSL season. 

As for Arsenal, they have won every one of their matches this season – in the league and in Europe – and will be looking to continue that run in front of their home fans on Saturday. The Gunners have conceded just once in six WSL games this season and have scored more at the other end than any other team in the division thus far (18).

HEAD-TO-HEAD RECORD

It’s Saturday’s hosts who edge the better of the all-time record in the fixture with four wins to United’s two (one draw). The Reds, however, are unbeaten in the last two meetings, both of which were away from home last season. Less than a month before a 1-1 draw in the league at Meadow Park, Skinner’s side triumphed 1-0 in a Continental Cup quarter-final clash on the same pitch. Alessia Russo scored both of United’s goals in those games.

RIVALS WATCH

Our trip to Arsenal is one of six fixtures taking place across the Women’s Super League this weekend. Here’s how the schedule looks…

SATURDAY 19 NOVEMBER

Everton v Manchester City (15:00)
Arsenal v UNITED (17:30)

SUNDAY 20 NOVEMBER

Chelsea v Tottenham Hotspur (13:00)
Aston Villa v Reading (14:00)
Brighton & Hove Albion v Liverpool (14:00)
West Ham United v Leicester City (15:00)

All times are listed in GMT.