Arsenal vs Chelsea: 'March madness', Conti Cup final prep, and how WSL rivals might manage the load
Chelsea and Arsenal have seven games to tackle across 25 days in March, in three different competitions; How will they manage the load, and what could the squads look like during such a busy schedule?
Sunday 5 March 2023 15:33, UK
Emma Hayes' Chelsea have a tough schedule to manage in March, as do Jonas Eidevall's Arsenal. The challenge? Seven games in 25 days, in three different competitions.
It began with a match-up between the two teams in the fifth round of the FA Cup last Sunday and they are about to face each other again in the Conti Cup final on Sunday at Selhurst Park.
Chelsea able to rotate thanks to deep squad
This season Chelsea have operated in two varying modes: a possession-based style of football, and high-press counter-attacking.
They went with the latter when the two sides met in the FA Cup last Sunday. Chelsea progressed with a 2-0 win thanks to goalscorers Sam Kerr and Sophie Ingle and a back four that kept Arsenal's makeshift attack at bay.
Millie Bright was joined by Magda Eriksson as the central defensive partnership, while Niamh Charles switched to left-back and Eve Perisset slotted in for Jess Carter on the right.
Ingle and Erin Cuthbert, the Blues' defensive midfield pairing, were joined by Guro Reiten and Jelena Cankovic, who slotted in at the No 8 position.
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Further up, the attack comprised of Lauren James and Sam Kerr. Pernille Harder has been sidelined with a long-term hamstring injury while Fran Kirby's involvements remain dependent on day-to-day evaluations.
Arsenal battling on with depleted forward line
The absence of Beth Mead and Vivianne Miedema due to ACL injuries has put a significant dent in Arsenal's title hopes this season. Combine that with the fact that moves for Alessia Russo and Signe Bruun failed to materialise and it's clear their attack lacks cover.
Last season's counter-attacking unit now relies on Stina Blackstenius as the most forward of the attackers in a 3-4-3 formation. Against Chelsea, however, they reverted to a back four featuring Steph Catley, Laura Wienroither, Leah Williamson and Rafaelle Souza in an attempt to keep James and her dribbling skills away from the by-line.
The England international decided she would haunt the more central areas instead and was able to provide a defence-dissecting pass for Ingle to open the scoring.
A midfield trio of Kim Little, Frida Maanum and Lia Walti wasn't any more prolific in suppressing her skills, especially with Walti playing with a strapped hamstring.
Caitlin Foord was kept quiet last week, but the Australian has already proved herself as a reliable source of goals, with four in this season's Champions League, and could be decisive if Chelsea rotate to a back three on Sunday.
James: Chelsea's most potent threat
Leading the pack is the resurgent James, who has been in fine form with seven goals and four assists in all competitions this season, with her pace allowing her to break through opposing defences almost effortlessly.
She's not alone, either. Surrounded by Kerr, Reiten and at times Kirby, the Blues provide opposition defences with a counter-attack so blisteringly fast you might miss it if you blink.
Encouragement for the Gunners
There were few moments of joy for the Gunners last weekend, but they could at least count on Chelsea's defence offering moments of hope.
Indeed, the Blues are still figuring things out at the back, and goalkeeper Ann Katrin-Berger had a few nerve-racking moments in between the sticks as a result of miscommunication.
These chiefly came through Foord grilling Perisset on the right, in turn stretching Bright out of position, and putting Eriksson in a dangerously isolated position against the more physical Blackstenius.
The late introduction of Jess Carter proved that this was an area of concern for Hayes and we might see a starting spot for her this weekend.
Defensive decisions to make for Hayes
Things haven't looked entirely streamlined for the Blues. Ever since their shock opening day 2-1 defeat to Liverpool, it's fair to say that there are still a few defensive kinks that need to be ironed out, starting with the flanks.
Charles has been fielded at right-back, but for all her niftiness, the 23-year-old lacks a certain finesse. The obvious replacement is Perisset, who was part of Chelsea's summer spending, but based on last Sunday's performance, she is nowhere near peak efficiency.
Carter's inclusion is necessary in that role, but she too has been nursing a few niggles during the course of the campaign.
On the left, the Eriksson saga provides more cause for concern. Hayes including her in a back three is an attempt to give the Blues slightly more protection, but a lack of pace is the Sweden international's weakness and that much was evident in her various tussles with compatriot Blackstenius.
Kadeisha Buchanan also warrants a mention. She has been the obvious fit alongside Bright and Eriksson, but her inconsistencies in performance leave much to be pondered. It's very likely she could be in the starting XI as Hayes rotates her squad.
Eidevall in need of end product
The lack of final product for Arsenal is glaring, especially given how mesmeric the Gunners attack looked this time last year.
As much as Blackstenius has attempted to be a penetrative force, the goals are yet to flow, evident in the fact that her team have only won two from a possible nine points since the start of the year.
Pair that with the fact that they, just like Chelsea, are still figuring out how best to manage a back three, and there are plenty of potholes to trip over on their way across this seven-game venture.
Both sides unhappy with packed schedule
It wasn't so long ago that chief executive of the Professional Footballers' Association Maheta Molango spoke out against the volume of games players were being put through in the Premier League.
"This is not a shoe factory, you're talking about human beings and sometimes I get the feeling that we are moving in the direction that footballers are just machines," Molango said.
Hayes and Eidevall have both echoed that sentiment plenty of times.
ACL injuries have been at an all-time high this year. Although studies have pointed to more skeletal and biological causes, the sheer influx of fixtures cannot be helping.
Both bosses have always managed their players carefully, where possible listening to athletes who have the best insight into their bodies.
Hayes has made that clear through her management of players with more complex injuries. She rested James for an entire season to help her regain her fitness, and the 21-year-old is now arguably the best player in the league.
Melanie Leupolz is also another great case. The German international has only recently returned from giving birth and the Blues made sure she was supported all the way through her maternity leave, as well as ensuring she received a tailored return to training.
Meanwhile, Eidevall continues to ensure both Mead and Miedema get the best treatment to put them on a speedy path to recovery.
Chelsea's March fixtures
- Arsenal (N) Sunday March 5
- Brighton (H) Wednesday March 8
- Manchester United (H) Sunday March 12
- Lyon (A) Wednesday March 22
- Manchester City (A) Sunday March 26
- Lyon (H) Thursday March 30
Arsenal's March fixtures
- Chelsea (N) Sunday March 5
- Liverpool (H) Wednesday March 8
- Reading (H) Sunday March 12
- Bayern Munich (A) Tuesday March 21
- Tottenham (A) Saturday March 25
- Bayern Munich (H) Wednesday March 29
Keep your eyes peeled on how the Blues fare over the rest of the season live on Sky, with games available across Sky's flagship channels, including Sky Sports Premier League, Sky Sports Football and Sky Sports Main Event.
You can also keep up with the latest WSL news on 'Inside the WSL', hosted by award-winning broadcaster and journalist Jessica Creighton.
