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Teams!
Manchester City (a non-negotiable 4-3-3): Robeuck; Bronze, Houghton, Greenwood, Stokes; Walsh, Mewis, Weir; Kelly, Stanway, Hemp. Subs: Bardsley, Taieb, Scott, White, Bonner, Park, Coombs, Morgan, Beckie.
Arsenal (an almost non-negotiable 4-3-3): Williams; Maier, Williamson, Beattie, McCabe; Little, Gut, Roord; Mead, Miedema, Foord. Subs: Zinsberger, Stenson, Catlrey, Evans, Nobbs, Van de Donk.
News!
Millie Turner has deflected Jess Fishlock’s shot past Mary Earps. It’s Reading 1-1 Man United!
Preamble
It’s only December, but already this has the feel of a crucial match. it’s now four seasons since City last won the title, and a defeat today would would widen the gap between them and Arsenal to seven points. Nor is that all – they’d also be a fair way behind Manchester United, who currently lead Reading 1-0, and Chelsea, who kick-off at Brighton in half an hour.
The truth is that neither of today’s teams have been quite at it so far this season, not quite Nick Cushing’s team and not quite Gareth Taylor’s team. Their close-passing style is very nice when it works, but when it’s disturbed they struggle to find a way, and don’t quite have the individuals able to redeem things. They’ve got a lot of work to do.
Arsenal, meanwhile, have recently diverged from the all-out attacking style that has has made them such a pleasure to watch, but circumstances are now swinging in their favour. Kim Little is back, Jordan Nobbs is working her way back, Beth Mead is a class act and Vivianne Miedema might just be the best player in the world. If they play well they’re incredibly hard to stop, and if they play badly their best players are still incredibly hard to stop. This should be a belter.
Kick-off: 2.30pm GMT
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