Arsenal Women return to Women’s FA Cup action on Sunday as they host Aston Villa, with the competition carrying extra significance for the fourteen-time winners.
The Gunners have not lifted the trophy since 2016, a point that has not been lost on head coach Renée Slegers ahead of the tie. Arsenal’s first FA Cup success came in the 1992/93 season, and the club’s long-standing connection to the competition remains a driving force as they seek a return to winning ways.
“Yes, it’s a prestigious cup in England. We really look forward to the FA Cup game on Sunday. It has a big history, and we know what it means to the club, and it’s been ten years since the last win in the FA Cup,” Slegers said. “So it’s going to be a very, very important one for me personally. I feel very driven for this game, and for the players as well, the club as well.”
Team news
Arsenal will be without their first- and second-choice goalkeepers due to injury, while there are mixed updates elsewhere in the squad. Leah Williamson will miss the match after sustaining a calf injury, though Slegers was keen to stress it is not connected to her previous knee issue.
“No, not at the moment, but we are very hopeful that it’s not a big one,” she said. “It’s not connected to the knee, so that’s positive. It’s an issue with her calf.”
There is cautious optimism over Daphne van Domselaar’s availability, while Chloe Kelly continues to make progress in her recovery.
“There’s a couple of players making really good steps; I think the same availability. Daphne might be back, we’ll see, she’s progressing well,” Slegers explained.
“Chloe is progressing well as well. She is on the pitch, she was on the pitch today, so we’re taking it day-by-day. We don’t have an exact date… but she’s making really good steps.”
Jenna Nighswonger, despite recently being registered, will not be permitted to play in this fixture due to cup-tie regulations.
The opposition
Arsenal and Villa played out a 1–1 draw in the WSL earlier this season, and Slegers expects another demanding encounter against a disciplined side. Villa have also strengthened recently with the signing of Oriane Jean-François from Chelsea.
“Villa are very disciplined, aggressive in their pressure, and it’s a big part of their DNA,” Slegers said. “There was a lot of learning after that game, and how to beat that type of pressure, and what tools we need… so that will be a big part of our game plan on Sunday.”
Motivation and momentum
The FA Cup takes on added importance as Arsenal continue to compete on multiple fronts, following a recent draw with Manchester United and last season’s cup exit to Liverpool.
“We were not happy with the two lost points in the game against United, so that makes it extra hard,” Slegers admitted. “But playing for Arsenal, you always go in any competition you’re active in.”
Reflecting on last season’s FA Cup defeat, she added: “It wasn’t the result we wanted at all, and it wasn’t a very clean game… We are full of fuel, also off the back of the United game… and used it as fuel into the game on Sunday.”
As Arsenal look to reconnect with their FA Cup history, Sunday’s tie offers another opportunity to move one step closer to ending a decade-long wait for silverware.
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