Jonas Eidevall is refusing to talk up Arsenal’s title challenge before their crunch top-of-the-table WSL clash with Manchester United.
The two sides have conceded just four goals between them across 12 games so far this season, with Arsenal boasting a 100% record and United losing just once to fellow title rivals Chelsea.
It sets up a mouth-watering battle at the Emirates Stadium in the prime-time slot of 5.30pm on Saturday, with more than 38,000 tickets already sold for the top-of-the-table encounter. A win for Arsenal would put them in pole position in the title race but boss Jonas Eidevall is not looking beyond the three points in North London on Saturday.
“Manchester United are a very strong team, it will be a tough game,” said the Swede. "For us it’s about playing one game at a time, controlling what we can control and make the most of our performance.
“If we do, we’re confident we can deliver good results. It’s important for us that we play as good as possible. That would be the best possible way to win the game, and that’s important for every game. I’m not trying to view it in any other way.”
The Gunners will return to the Emirates for the second time this season after 47,367 spectators watched a 4-0 demolition of North London rivals Spurs in September. Beth Mead opened the scoring that day, and the star forward will be available once more on Saturday despite an early departure from England duty this week as Arsenal look for another big win at an increasingly familiar venue.
“It’s one of our two homes and we feel more and more that this is our home,” added Eidevall. “It’s a platform that we’re able to share our love for Arsenal with so many more people. To see how much energy that creates, and that bond between the team and the supporters, I think it’s beautiful.
“I’m so pleased that we can sell such a high number of tickets at the Emirates again. It was a beautiful experience at the North London derby and together with our fans we want to try and create the same thing tomorrow.”
A win would all-but guarantee Arsenal remain at the summit of the WSL, unless champions Chelsea produce a big win against Spurs on Sunday. Their efforts will be boosted by the return of boss Emma Hayes to the touchline following emergency hysterectomy surgery just six weeks ago.
The Blues produced an impressive performance to beat Manchester United 3-1 in the final game before the international break and will have to be at their best again to defeat a Spurs side who put eight past Brighton in their last outing.
That result led to legendary Seagulls boss Hope Powell departing from her role, the first managerial casualty of the season, and Amy Merricks remains in interim charge for the visit of Liverpool. Merricks’ first game in charge saw her side score five but concede four in an entertaining encounter against West Ham, but Powell’s former number two will know they will have to tighten up against the Reds, who are looking to snap a streak of three straight losses.
Liverpool's poor run of form leaves them just three points ahead of basement side Leicester City who travel to West Ham, while fellow strugglers Reading travel to Aston Villa. Villa have had a strong start to the season, with Lioness Rachel Daly continuing her impressive form for the Villains on the international stage with a goal against Norway on Tuesday, having already netted five times in the WSL.
And Manchester City will be looking to keep pace with the top three as they make the short trip to Everton for the Saturday 3pm kick-off.
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