Arsenal and Chelsea headline FA WSL Matchday 13

London rivals Arsenal and Chelsea headline Matchday 13 of the FA WSL

January 18, 2020 By Juan Aguerrevere

Topics: FA Women's Super League, Arsenal, Birmingham City, Bristol City, Chelsea, Everton, Manchester City, Manchester United, Reading, Brighton and Hove Albion, West Ham United, Tottenham, Liverpool, Will Kirk, Emma Hayes, Joe Montemurro, Kingsmeadow, Meadow Par

Amidst a tight title race amongst Arsenal, Manchester City and Chelsea, the Gunners will look for sweet revenge at Meadow Park when they take on their only victor, the Blues.

This weekend welcomes Matchday 13 of the FA Women's Super League with some important matches to be played pertaining to the top, and bottom of the table. Of course, the blockbuster match of the weekend is that of Arsenal and Chelsea. Bottom of the table Liverpool visits second-to-bottom Bristol City in a must-win match for both sides. Willie Kirk's Everton has overhauled his squad during this January transfer window with signings including Hayley Raso who might make her debut against an energetic Reading. And don't forget to keep your eyes on LiveSoccerTV's Women's Football January 2020 Transfer Timeline for daily transfer updates.

Match of the Weekend – Arsenal vs Chelsea

The biggest London rivalry is just days away and will have a great impact on the remainder of the season. Arsenal and Chelsea have enjoyed close-to-flawless seasons with the Gunners sitting a-top of the table with 33 points while Chelsea lags by only four points in third place with a game in hand.

The reason the Gunners haven't had a flawless campaign is that they fell to Chelsea at Kingsmeadow in Matchday 4 of this campaign, 2-1. That time out, the Gunners dominated possession as they tend to do scored in the first 10 minutes of the match. The Blues kept their heads up and found the back of the net twice in the second half via Beth England and Maria Thorisdottir to upset the winningest team in England.

Joe Montemurro's side suffered against Chelsea's defense and attack making that game Arsenal's worst attacking and defensive performance in the season. Despite having most of the possession, 59%, and higher pass accuracy, the Blues stampeded forward whenever they had a chance taking 22 total shots with six at target. On the defensive end, Emma Hayes' girls had a terrific game on their last third only allowing Arsenal to shoot seven times with three making it on target.

The Blues' game in hand will be a chance to propel them closer to the title if they can find an away win on Sunday at Meadow Park. Also, this will be Sam Kerr's biggest challenge so far as a Chelsea footballer.

Talk of the Weekend – Willie Kirk's Everton transfer activity

One of the best things about some FA WSL Teams is that their coaches keep a weekly newsletter that helps communicate messages to the fans and media. Kirk is active and loves to tell fans what is going on at the club. One thing that he has been very vocal about has been transfers.

So far in this January transfer window, the Toffees have landed English international Izzy Christensen from Lyon, England's U-21 starting goalkeeper Sandy MacIver from the Clemson Tigers and their newest signing on a 6-month deal, Australia's midfielder Hayley Raso.

Christiansen returns to Everton after a 10-year professional career with Birmingham City, Manchester City and Olympique Lyonnais. The English international will bring experience and leadership to a team that is eager to be one of the best in England under Willie Kirk.

"Izzy has got great pedigree and has won more than 30 England caps - she is a big name and has won a lot of medals," Kirk wrote. "on his January 9 newsletter. "She has done a lot of things that some of our young players are trying to achieve and aspire to. Hopefully, she will be an inspiration."

MacIver is one of those players who Kirk hopes is inspired by the English veteran. He also expressed the difficulty of bringing her with other clubs sharing interest over the Under-21.

"She is a top up-and-coming goalkeeper who, in my mind, will be England's No.1 in the future," Kirk wrote. "We worked really hard to bring Sandy here. She is here for at least 18 months, hopefully a lot longer."

And Raso's short-term contract is just the icing on the cake for a strong transfer window.

"Having played in the NWSL, the W-League, accumulated more than 40 caps for her country and having to overcome a very serious injury, she adds resilience, maturity, and professionalism to the squad," Kirk wrote on his January 17 newsletter.

You will see these transfers in action when Everton host Reading this Sunday.

Major absences, transfers and other news:

Absences:

Brighton & Hove Albion: Ellie Brazil (ACL), Laura Rafferty (ACL)

Bristol City: Abi Harrison (ACL), Carla Humphreys (foot)

Everton: Esme Morgan (parent club)

Liverpool: Jemma Purfield (knee), Jess Clarke (knee)

West Ham: Alisha Lehmann (ankle)

Transfers:

Brighton and Hove Albion: Cecilie Fiskerstrand (LSK Kvinner Fotballklubb)

Bristol City: Jeon Ga-Eul (Hwacheon KSPO)

Everton: Hayley Raso (Brisbane Roar)

Other news:

Brighton & Hove Albion: The FA has launched an investigation after former Albion goalkeeper Lucy Gillett reported a group of eight men who verbally abused her. Brighton's head coach Hope Powell called for lifetime bans for the perpetrators.

Chelsea: Former Blue Eniola Aluko announced her retirement. She is the all-time top scorer for Chelsea with 68 goals in 159 matches.

Liverpool: Missy Bo Kearns signs first professional contract with Liverpool.

Manchester City: Midfielder Tessa Wullaert named Belgian Player of the Year for the third time in four years

West Ham: Date confirmed for rearranged FA WSL match against Bristol City, Sunday, May 3.