West Ham United finally return to league action against Arsenal at the Meadow Park Stadium after a lengthy, International break which saw ten players in action for their countries.
Dagny Brynjarsdottir scored in both of Iceland’s matches against Czech Republic and Cyprus, facing off against team-mate Katerina Svitkova for the Czechs.Hawa Cissoko made her return to the French National Team for the first time since 2017 and came of the bench in their 5-0 away win over Kazahkstan at the Astana Arena.
Adriana Leon and Anna Leat faced off against one another in Canada, Olympic Gold Medal Winners played their first matches on home soil since their triumph in Toyko.
Leon scored twice in their opening friendly match against the Kiwi’s and then grabbed the winner in the second fixture of Canada’s 'homecoming celebration'.
Leat featured in the second of the two matches, playing the full 90 minutes as her side lost by a solitary goal to the Canadians.
Australia made their long-awaited return to home soil, as they played two friendly matches against Brazil.
Tameka Yallop played in both games, helping her team-mates to a 3-1 victory in the first contest, with the sides drawing the second game 2-2 after Brazil clawed their way back from two goals down.
Mackenzie Arnold wasn't involved in either match for the Matildas.
Lisa Evans featured in both of Scotland’s World Cup qualifying matches, coming on as a substitute in their 2-0 victory over Hungary, before losing to Sweden in their second match of the international break.
Mel Filis played the full 90 minutes for England U23s in their 1-0 away victory over Belgium in Tubize. Katie Robinson scored the only goal of the game with 30 minutes to play as the Young Lionesses secured victory on their return to action.
Lucy Parker was an unused substitute in Belgium.
The Hammers will now look to continue their fine, winning form on the back of the one nil Conti Cup victory against London City Lionesses.
Fixtures
Aston Villa v Chelsea
Everton v Brighton and Hove Albion
Tottenham Hotspur v Manchester United
Birmingham City v Reading
Leicester City v Manchester City
Arsenal v West Ham United
Team News
WEST HAM: We await news on the recovery times for recent absentees Maisy Barker, Grace Garrad and Grace Fisk. No new injuries were reported at the close of international duty.
ARSENAL: Arsenal have booked their place in the Vitality FA Cup Final with an excellent, three nil win over Brighton at Meadow Park. They will face Chelsea in the delayed final this December.
In Focus: West Ham United
Goalkeepers: Mackenzie Arnold, Anna Leat
Defenders: Maisy Barker, Hawa Cissoko, Lisa Evans, Grace Fisk, Gilly Flaherty, Grace Garrad, Lois Joel, Lucy Parker
Midfielders: Dagny Brynjarsdottir, Brooke Cairns, Mel Filis, Yui Hasegawa, Kate Longhurst, Abbey-Leigh Stringer, Katerina Svitkova, Zaneta Wyne, Tameka Yallop
Forwards: Adriana Leon, Claudia Walker
In Focus: Arsenal
Goalkeepers: Manuela Zinsberger, Lydia Williams
Defenders: Lotte Wubben-Moy, Anna Patten, Jennifer Beattie, Leah Williamson, Steph Catley, Noelle Maritz, Simone Boye, Viktoria Schnaderbeck
Midfielders: Jordan Nobbs, Kim Little, Frida Maanum, Lia Walti, Malin Gut, Mana Iwabuchi
Forwards: Beth Mead, Vivianne Miedema, Nikita Parris, Katie McCabe, Caitlin Foord, Tobin Heath
ONE TO WATCH: Vivianne Miedema
Previous Encounter
Having battled superbly, the Hammers were undone by two moments of magic when the two sides last met at Borehamwood. Goals from Miedema and Little either side of half time settled the contest on a wet night in deepest north London.
The Irons struggled to contain a dynamic attacking force, but did well to keep the score line respectable. It was certainly a severe improvement on the nine one thrashing the Gunners had dished out at the start of the season.
West Ham United: Arnold, Redisch (Denton 81), Pacheco, Flaherty, Longhurst, Dali, Fisk, Cissoko, Van Egmond, Vetterlein (Thomas 56), Brynjarsdottir
Unused Subs: Brosnan, Mustafa, Barker, Beaufort
Arsenal: Williams, Maritz (Patten 86), Williamson, Wubben-Moy, McCabe, Walti, Little, Nobbs (Roord 71), Mead (Van De Donk 86), Miedema, Foord
Unused Subs: Zinsberger, Goldie, Maier, Catley, Gut
Booked: Foord (51)
Goals: Miedema (33), Little (78)
In Form
Jonas Eidevall was voted Manager of the Month for October, having not seen his side concede a league goal in over 360 minutes of play.
The Gunners have scored nineteen goals in the competition so far and saw Katie McCabe awarded Player of the Month and Goal of the Month for October.
The Inside Word
Jonas Eidevall: West Ham are a strong side with a lot of International players. They typically play with a back five and try to overload in the central areas, so it poses us a different challenge and we need to be ready for it.
Tickets: Tickets are available now by clicking here.
Stream: You can watch all the action live from Borehamwood here.
Programme: The official matchday programme can be ordered direct from Arsenal here.
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