FAWSL 2020/2021: Arsenal Women v Tottenham Hotspur Women – tactical analysis

The WSL served up the first North London derby of this season in the latest round of fixtures, with in-form Arsenal Women hosting Tottenham Hotspur Women, who have yet to win a game this season. This tactical analysis will look at both sides’ tactics in the game, seeing why Arsenal won the game and Tottenham lost. We will see how Tottenham struggled to get going in this game, and why Arsenal stormed to a commanding lead by half-time.

Lineups

Arsenal Women made just one change to their starting line-up from the 5-0 win against Brighton and Hove Albion Women last time out. Germany right-back Leonie Maier was the latest player to join the injury list at Meadow Park, with Austria captain Viktoria Schnaderbeck coming into the team in her place, having come off the bench against Brighton. Due to the enormous number of injuries, Arsenal were only able to name four substitutes for this game, with teenage midfielder Ruby Mace and defender Anouk Denton both named again on the bench. Star striker Vivianne Miedema was on the hunt for the one goal more she needed to become the WSL’s all-time top goalscorer.

Tottenham Hotspur Women, meanwhile, made four changes from the side that narrowly lost 1-0 to Manchester United Women at home in their last game. Defender Siri Worm, midfielder and captain Josie Green, and striker Rosella Ayane all moved to the bench, whilst centre-back Hannah Godfrey missed out altogether. In came Anna Filbey, Kerys Harrop, former Arsenal midfielder Lucy Quinn and striker Rianna Dean to replace them. USA striker Alex Morgan was again not included in the squad, as she continues to build her fitness up.