The aforementioned underwhelming midweek nights for Arsenal and Chelsea.
I am sure Katie McCabe is raring to prove Arsenal wrong today after letting leave for free in the summer. She spent 11 years with the Gunners, before the club decided they wanted to find younger players.
Chelsea (4-3-3): Hampton; Carpenter, Brone, Buchanan, McCabe; Potter, Walsh, Kaptein; Thompson, James, Malard
Subs: Baltimore, Beaver-Jones, Bjorn, Buurman, Dragoni, Girma, Hamano, Nusken, Peng
Arsenal (4-2-3-1): Borbe; Fox, Williamson, Catley, Batlle; Stanway, Cooney-Cross; Baum, Caldentay, Little; Russo
Subs: Misa, Wubben-Moy, Foord, Smith, Reuteler, Kelly, Blackstenius, Cerci, Holmberg
It is rare to see Melvine Malard without a grin and she has a mountain of reasons to keep it that way. A wedding in June, a big-money move to Chelsea, a Ballon d’Or nomination and a first taste of a London derby against Arsenal at Stamford Bridge on Sunday. The France forward is loving life and the personality behind the smile that instantly connects her to teammates is infectious.
“Goals,” says Malard, with a laugh, when asked what keeps her happy. “Seriously though, it’s seeing the kids, the families, my family, in the stands. It is crazy. I love my life, I love my job, I’m happy with my wife and everything is good. I smile because of those things, because I’m happy.”
Preamble
Two unbeaten teams with grand ambitions arrive at Stamford Bridge after underwhelming 1-0 wins in Europe in midweek. The pair are yet to lose this season but it does not feel like either side has hit their straps. A clash against a supposed title rival could be the inspiration required to kick on.
If one does secures a victory today, it should be the requisite boost for the winners and blow to the losers. Chelsea are in the slight better form with two wins from three, while Arsenal have drawn twice, scoring only two times in three league games, and were lucky to come away from the fixture against Manchester United with a point.
Let’s hope for a cracker.
Kick-off: 4.30pm BST
