Arsenal Women duo in contention for injury returns against OH Leuven

The Gunners won 4-0 in Belgium in the Champions League play-off first leg




Arsenal Women are set to welcome back two players for their Champions League play-off second leg against OH Leuven.

Anneke Borbe has been sidelined since her head injury late on in Arsenal’s Champions Cup win over Corinthians, but is in contention to face Leuven at Meadow Park.

The Gunners won the first leg 4-0 in Belgium thanks to Frida Maanum's brace, with Olivia Smith and Alessia Russo also on target.

Full-back Taylor Hinds missed the Champions Cup final and the Gunners’ games since due to an ankle injury, but was named in the England squad today for the upcoming international break.

Arsenal head coach Renee Slegers provided an update on the duo. “Taylor Hinds has progressed really well. She did a full session with us today and she'll be in the squad tomorrow, available for some minutes, so that's positive. 

“The other one is Anneke Borbe, she's done full sessions so she will be available tomorrow.

“Kyra [Cooney-Cross] wasn't on the pitch today. She was ill today, so we'll see how she is tomorrow.”

In-form forward Olivia Smith is suspended, after picking up a yellow card away to Leuven for time wasting to trigger a one-game ban.

Previewing the second leg and whether her side will look to experiment given their four-goal advantage, Slegers said: “We want to keep as many players as possible active for us, and I think that's what we've done really well this block so far. 

“We have two more games left to play before the international break and we want to optimise the squad. Of course tomorrow we’ll figure our best team and then for the Bristol [City] game the same.”


NEW! Subscribe to our weekly Gooner Fanzine newsletter for all the latest news, views, and videos from the intelligent voice of Arsenal supporters since 1987.

Please note that we will not share your email address with any 3rd parties.


Article Rating

Leave a comment

Sign-in with your Online Gooner forum login to add your comment. If you do not have a login register here.