Maria Thorisdottir hopes to start against Arsenal at Kingsmeadow

 

The clean-sheet queens meet the in-form Gunners at Kingsmeadow on Sunday in what is already being described as a pivotal six-pointer.

Arsenal go into the match more cocky than at any time in the past couple of seasons. They lead the WSL with maximum points and a game in hand over their rivals.

As well as nine points from three matches, they have a goal difference of +12. Chelsea are in unfamiliar territory, lying fifth in the table with six points from four games and a goal difference, despite Fran Kirby’s impressive international form, of only +2.

Chelsea have kept seven clean sheets in their last 11 WSL home games, but Arsenal have won four of their seven WSL away games against Chelsea (although only one of the four since Emma Hayes has managed the Blues), according to the latest Opta stats, just released.

Arsenal’s total of four wins away at Chelsea is twice as many as any other club. It promises to be a gritty duel – played, if the forecasters are to be believed, in constant driving rain and stormy gusts of wind.

Another positive for Chelsea, thrown up in the latest batch of statistics, is that Ji So-Yun has created the most goal scoring chances without registering an assist this season, with a total of 15… a curious figure that is good in one way, but slightly concerning in another as it sums up the recent barren run of 0-0 scorelines which saw the Blues make a decidedly shaky start to their bid to hold on to the league trophy.

Chelsea’s Carly Telford, an unused sub during the recent England v Australia 1-1 draw at Craven Cottage, has faced 10 shots on target this season and saved all of them.

For ticket news on Chelsea v Arsenal at Kingsmeadow on Sunday at 2pm, visit: http://purchase.tickets.com/buy/TicketPurchase?agency=CLFC_PUBLIC&organ_val=51291&schedule=list&_ga=2.146907127.1593336094.1538038070-13131943.1493031269