England’s Euro 2022 triumph has propelled the women’s game to new heights, with the eagerly-anticipated new Women’s Super League (WSL) season set to kick-off this weekend.
Saturday’s curtain-raiser will see Tottenham host Manchester United at the 62,850 capacity Tottenham Hotspur Stadium as the WSL prepares to see unprecedented growth and interest following the success of the Lionesses this summer.
Similarly, Tottenham’s North London derby at Arsenal’s Emirates Stadium in a few weeks time is on course for a record WSL crowd as over 40,000 fans have already purchased tickets for the September 24th encounter.
That’s already more than the combined total of Arsenal’s four matches at the Emirates last season while defending WSL champions Chelsea, who have already sold all their season tickets, have also opened two more stands at Stamford Bridge for their opener against West Ham on Sunday.
And whether you are an WSL expert or coming fresh to the women’s game, we take a look at all four London sides ahead of the new season – with expert insight from Helen Rowe-Willcocks, Editor of The Women’s Football Magazine…
Arsenal
Home Ground: Meadow Park, Broughinge Road, Borehamwood, WD6 5AL
2021/22 WSL Finish: 2nd
Key Euro 2022 Stars: Leah Williamson, Beth Mead, Lotte Wubben-Moy, Stina Blackstenius, Vivianne Miedema
Tickets: https://www.arsenal.com/women/tickets
Games at the Emirates? Yes – Tottenham Hotspur (September 24th), Manchester United (November 20th)
When you think of women’s football, you think of Arsenal – the country’s most successful club with 50 trophies – including 15 league titles, 14 FA Cups and one Champions League.
However, the Gunners have failed to lift a trophy since Joe Montemurro’s side claimed the 2018-19 WSL title in the Australian’s inaugural campaign at the helm.
Since then it has been Emma Hayes’ Chelsea that has dominated the women’s game with Jonas Eidevall charged with wrestling silverware back to North London.
In Eidevall’s first full season in charge, Arsenal finished runners-up last season as well as reaching the FA Cup semi-finals and the last eight of both the League Cup and Champions League.
With Vivianne Miedema signing a new contract to remain at the club and both Leah Williamson and Beth Mead coming off the back of the Lionesses triumphant Euro 2022 campaign, Arsenal will be expected to run Chelsea close once again.
Helen says: I have a good feeling about Arsenal – in fact they are my tip to lift the title. Eidevall came so close last season with the side only losing once all campaign and they will be more determined than ever to get their hands on the trophy.
They have also made some great signings over the summer with Vivianne Miedema staying at the club, the best news for all Gunners’ fans.
Chelsea
Home Ground: Kingsmeadow, 422A Jack Goodchild Way, Kingston Road, Kingston upon Thames, KT1 3PB
2021/22 WSL Finish: Champions
Key Euro 2022 Stars: Millie Bright, Beth England, Fran Kirby, Eve Perisset, Magdalena Eriksson, Pernille Harder, Zecira Musovic, Aniek Nouwen
Tickets: https://www.chelseafc.com/en/tickets/womens-tickets
Games at Stamford Bridge? Yes – West Ham United (September 11th)
Ever since Emma Hayes became manager back in 2012, Chelsea have been relentless in their pursuit of excellence, going on to win an incredible 13 trophies in the past seven years.
The 45-year-old is already one of the best women’s managers in the world, guiding Chelsea to their third consecutive WSL title last time out in record fashion.
The Blues won 18 of their league games, claiming a record number of points (57) with Australian Sam Kerr scoring 21 goals, Fran Kirby joint top in terms of assists (11) and goalkeeper Ann-Katrin Berger keeping 12 clean sheets.
With the side already possessing some of the best players in the world in the form of Kerr, Kirby, Millie Bright, Magdalena Eriksson and Pernille Harder, a reported record-breaking move for France star Grace Geyoro could see them once again unstoppable.
Helen says: Emma Hayes’ side have dominated the WSL over the past few years and they are still the team to beat.
However, it’s the Champions League that they are desperate to win and last season’s group stage elimination would have hurt alongside the previous season’s run to the final before losing 4-0 to Barcelona.
Tottenham Hotspur
Home Ground: Brisbane Road Stadium, Brisbane Road, Leyton, E10 5NF
2021/22 WSL Finish: 5th
Euro 2022 Stars: Tinja-Riikka Korpela, Eveliina Summanen, Celin Bizet Ildhusoy
Tickets: https://www.tottenhamhotspur.com/tickets/buy-tickets/women/
Games at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium? Yes – Manchester United (September 10th)
Tottenham have continually improved since their promotion to the WSL in 2019 with last season’s fifth place their best finish to date.
Rehanne Skinner’s side recorded a number of firsts last term – beating Manchester City as well as taking points of other ‘top four’ sides Manchester United and Arsenal and reaching a first ever semi-final (losing to eventual winners Manchester City in the League Cup).
While they don’t have any current Lionesses in their ranks, 21-year-old Jessica Naz has represented England at Under 19 level with the forward tipped to gain full international recognition in the future.
The summer has also seen the departures of many of Spurs’ old guard in Rachel Williams, Angela Addison and Josie Green although the arrival of Norwegian international Celin Bizet Ildhusoy from PSG on a three-year deal is an exciting prospect.
Helen says: Tottenham really impressed last season and I hope they can continue to go from strength to strength this time out.
Amy Turner joining from Orlando Pride is a great signing while I really hope fellow new arrival Ellie Brazil can recapture some of her previous form after struggling to recover from the ACL injury she suffered at Brighton.
West Ham United
Home Ground: Victoria Road, Dagenham, Essex, RM10 7XL
2021/22 WSL Finish: 6th
Euro 2022 Stars: Hawa Cissoko, Dagny Brynjarsdottir
Tickets: https://www.whufc.com/tickets/womens-team-matches
Games at the London Stadium? No
Former West Ham, Charlton and Fulham player Paul Konchesky has made the step-up from assistant manager to succeed Olli Harder as boss ahead of the new season.
And the 41-year-old has wasted no time in stamping his own identity on the squad – bringing in eight new players and renewing the contracts of several key squad members.
The signing of Norway U19 international Thea Kyvag on a three year deal looks the most exciting although they are missing a big presence in the dressing room after captain Gilly Flaherty’s departure to Liverpool.
The Hammers will aim to go one better than last year and finish as the ‘best of the rest’ behind Chelsea, Arsenal, Manchester City and Manchester United.
However, a 5-0 pre-season loss to newly-promoted Liverpool shows just how fierce the competition will be.
Helen says: Despite making some good signings over the summer, I worry a little for West Ham this season.
Their pre-season defeat to Liverpool left a lot of questions and with Chelsea and Manchester United as opponents in their opening three games, it could be a difficult start.
For more information on The Women’s Football Magazine, check out the website HERE.