Team: Arsenal.
Manager: Pedro Martinez Losa (2nd full season).
Last season: 3rd.
Continental Cup: Winners.
Key Transfers in: Fara Williams (Liverpool), Josephine Henning (PSG), Danielle van de Donk (Goteberg FC).
Key Transfers out: Siobhan Chamberlain (Liverpool), Jade Bailey (Chelsea), Chioma Ubogagu (Houston Dash), Carla Humphrey (Doncaster Rovers Belles on loan).
Arsenal are one of the most successful sides in English women’s football. They used to reign supreme at the top of ladies football in this country, but since the inception of the WSL, their success has been limited.
The opening years of the WSL have been bitterly disappointing seasons for the Gunners, but in 2015 they started to show shades of a side that are starting to find their feet again. Pedro Martinez Losa’s team finished in 3rd place, five points off leaders Chelsea, so there is plenty to be encouraged about for the girls in red ahead of the upcoming season.
Arsenal are a side that has an interesting blend of youth and experience. A mix that should see the Gunners challenging for the WSL title come the end of the 2016 campaign. Most notably they have talented youngsters such as Leah Williamson, 18 and Jordan Nobbs, now 23, who both play in midfield.
Both players have really started to develop into consistent players, with Williamson looking to be one of the brightest young talents in the country. She’s definitely one to watch and could well be the future club captain. For someone so young, Williamson is a player that looks as though she’s been around for years and could prove a crucial player this season.
For the Gunners they will be looking at improving their goal scoring record and creativity; an area of the pitch which seemed to be their downfall if you look at last at their displays last season. WSL winners Chelsea managed 30 goals in 14 games in 2015, whilst Arsenal only managed 21. It is an area of the pitch that if they are to fulfil their potential in 2016, will need to be better than last season.
The signing of former Liverpool midfielder Fara Williams will only help when it comes to aiding creativity, whilst it will be beneficial for Arsenal if they have all of their forwards fit and firing. Legend Kelly Smith missed much of 2015 with injury but has recently signed a new deal with the club, as has Rachel Yankey, and they will bring vital experience to the younger members of the team. Danielle Carter and Spaniard Natalia Pablos Sanchon will meanwhile also look to score the goals that potentially fire Arsenal to the WSL title.
One of Arsenal’s strongest areas is their defence, and with the addition of German international Josephine Henning, they have added further quality to an already stern back-line. Alex Scott is as consistent as ever at right back, whilst Casey Stoney is a stalwart at centre-half. Emma Mitchell and Jemma Rose are meanwhile defenders that can always be relied upon.
Martinez Losa’s players will kick off their campaign with an FA Women’s cup tie against Birmingham on the 20th March, before the WSL season gets underway 3 days later on Wednesday 23rd March when Arsenal entertain Reading at Borehamwood. Both games will present the Gunners with chances to make big statements going into the upcoming season.
Player to Watch: Natalia Pablos Sanchon
Arsenal may not have options like Toni Duggan (Man City) and Eni Aluko (Chelsea) at the club, but they do have plenty of experience in attack. Their forward line this season could be led by Spaniard Natalia Pablos Sanchon, a dark horse when it comes to aiding her team. The 2016 season will be the 30 year old’s fourth campaign in English football, and she will look to add to the seven goals she netted last term after joining from Bristol Academy.
Natalia appears to be a player that has always been on the fringe of success, yet she is a tricky forward with the ability to score both with her head and feet. If she shows the type of quality that saw her score a quite brilliant chip against Liverpool last season, then she could well play a fundamental role in Arsenal’s season. With the right service, she has the ability to flourish hugely this season despite now moving into her thirties.
Prediction: This Arsenal side have plenty of potential and with the depth they have in midfield and defence, they should be confident of remaining a solid outfit this season. The addition of Fara Williams is a brilliant one and she will only improve the Gunners chances in 2016.However for Martinez Losa’s girls, they could struggle for goals again, especially with their aging attack. They have some good young players coming through in the forward areas but it could be another case of so close yet so far this year. Like in 2015, it is hard to see them overcoming Manchester City and Chelsea, who both strengthened during the off-season, and look set to sustain an even bigger challenge than Arsenal for the title with the firepower they have. – 3rd.
