Arsenal continue their pre-season preparations this evening as they welcome West Ham United to Meadow Park for a 7pm kick-off. Just days after a lively 4-3 defeat to Tottenham, Renée Slegers’ side will be looking to find a sharper rhythm with the Women’s Super League opener now less than two weeks away.

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Arsenal’s Perspective

The Gunners’ first public outing of the summer was a reminder that pre-season is rarely straightforward. Despite scoring three goals, Arsenal came up short against North London rivals, Spurs in a seven-goal contest. Still, these friendlies are about cohesion as much as results, with new arrivals bedding in and exitsting players pushing for minutes.

Arsenal remain without vice-captain Leah Williamson who is recovering from a minor knee operation, while Lia Wälti is sidelined following an abcess surgery. This opens the door for other's to prove themselves in the centre-back and midfield positions, leaving scope for young Guns to step up. 

West Ham's Approach

West Ham have been busy preparing at Chadwell Heath since July and arrive in north London with valuable minutes already in the legs. Rehanne Skinner’s side recorded a 1-0 success over Sparta Prague earlier this month and will see Arsenal as the ideal test with their WSL campaign just under two weeks away.

The Irons pushed Arsenal close at Meadow Park last March, when an Amber Tysiak brace and Shekiera Martinez strike put them on the brink of a first-ever away victory against the Gunners. Arsenal eventually came from behind to edge a thrilling 4-3, but that performance showed West Ham’s ability to hurt the top sides.

What to Expect

Both managers will be keen to balance minutes with performance, but with Arsenal seeking to respond after Saturday’s defeat and West Ham eager to measure progress, another competitive meeting is likely. The Irons’ fitness from a busy pre-season may give them confidence, but Arsenal’s attacking depth should prove decisive.

The match kicks off at 7pm BST, and is being played at Meadow Park.