After beginning April with a draw against FAWSL 1 leaders Chelsea Ladies last week, the Women’s World Cup Qualifiers replaced any action Arsenal Women would’ve been in.
Like last month’s international break however, so far this break in club football turned out to be mostly positive for the Arsenal players involved.
This was most apparent for the Dutch contingent of the Arsenal squad who followed up last month’s Algarve Cup triumph with a 7-0 win over Northern Ireland on Friday night. A win that took Holland top of their group on goal difference after four games, the Republic of Ireland sit just below them.
All Sari van Veenendaal, Dominique Janssen, Danielle van de Donk and Vivianne Miedema played the whole match, but it was Miedema who stole the headlines.
Her strike in the 26th minute took Holland’s tally up to three on the night, but you can see where it took her personal tally to below:
https://twitter.com/oranjevrouwen/status/982324250995458051
With 50 national goals at the age of just 21, it’s clear why she was brought to Arsenal in the summer, so as the season enters the final straight, Arsenal fans will be hoping for more of the same.
Another one of Arsenal’s strikers was in action on Friday night as the in-form Beth Mead came on for her England debut in the nation’s goalless draw with Wales. Playing more from the left, she couldn’t quite get the Lionesses in front but did make an impact once on the pitch.
Also, keeping her England career ticking over 50 caps was Jordan Nobbs who had a shot tipped onto the crossbar in the game. England remain a point behind Wales with a game in hand.
Across the Irish Sea, Arsenal representatives Katie McCabe and Louise Quinn helped the Republic of Ireland keep the squeeze on Holland at the top of their group. McCabe captained the Ireland side who after a mistake from their goalkeeper, Marie Hourihan gave the visitors an equaliser, stole the three points late on from this Amber Barrett strike:
87: GOOOAAALLLL!!!
IRELAND 2-1 Slovakia. What a finish from Amber Barrett. How important could that goal be? #COYGIG #IRLWNT pic.twitter.com/LdXKavavkg— eir Sport (@eirSport) April 6, 2018
Unfortunately, there wouldn’t be a 100%-win rate for Arsenal’s Women on international duty as Kim Little, Lisa Evans and Emma Mitchell ended up on the losing end of Scotland’s encounter with Switzerland.
Switzerland top their group by eight points, so the Scots did well to keep the deficit to just a single goal, however, they have a chance to redeem themselves on Tuesday.
Coming up against Poland, a win can help Scotland leapfrog them into second place in the group with them currently just a point behind in third.
All of the nations above will be in action on Tuesday as England face Bosinia & Herzegovina and the Republic of Ireland have a top to the table clash against Holland. So, with some luck we’ll see the same number of Gunners in action tomorrow.