Renée Slegers faces two major selection decisions when Arsenal Women host Manchester United at Emirates Stadium on Saturday.
The Gunners are looking to respond after being held to a frustrating 0-0 draw by Crystal Palace last weekend.
Arsenal dominated that contest but failed to find a breakthrough, creating 30 attempts without scoring.
Slegers has since explained how the squad have been working on their final-third decision-making, with our analysis of Arsenal’s tactical preparation for Manchester United examining the changes being made before Saturday.
The biggest questions now surround midfield and the wide attacking positions.
Misa Expected to Continue in Goal
Misa Rodríguez should retain her place.
The Spain international has started Arsenal’s opening two WSL matches and kept clean sheets against Brighton and Crystal Palace.
Slegers has praised the competition between her goalkeepers, but Daphne van Domselaar remains unavailable as she continues recovering from knee surgery.
Misa therefore looks set to continue behind an experienced defence.
Emily Fox and Ona Batlle should occupy the full-back positions.
Leah Williamson also appears certain to start in central defence.
The bigger decision is who partners her.
Lotte Wubben-Moy started against Crystal Palace, while Steph Catley partnered Williamson during Arsenal’s opening win over Brighton.
Given Manchester United’s likely compact approach, Catley’s left-footed distribution could give Arsenal greater balance in possession.
Georgia Stanway and Kim Little Could Reunite
The first major selection call comes in midfield.
Slegers started Georgia Stanway alongside Kyra Cooney-Cross against Crystal Palace after Kim Little had featured in the opening victory over Brighton.
That change did not produce the attacking breakthrough Arsenal wanted.
Against Manchester United, a return to the Stanway-Little partnership would make sense.
Stanway has already added a different dimension to Arsenal’s build-up through her passing range and willingness to switch play quickly.
Little offers greater control in tight spaces.
That pairing would also allow Mariona Caldentey to operate higher up the pitch, where Arsenal may need her creativity against a United side expected to defend more cautiously.
Arsenal’s goalless draw with Crystal Palace demonstrated the problem Slegers is trying to solve.
The Gunners controlled almost everything except the scoreline.
Cerci and Reuteler Give Slegers New Options
The second major decision comes further forward.
Selina Cerci and Géraldine Reuteler are available again after disrupted pre-seasons.
Neither has featured in Arsenal’s opening two WSL matches, but Slegers confirmed this week that both are now in contention.
That increases the pressure on the existing attacking starters.
Lisa Baum has started both league matches and scored the winner against Brighton.
Alessia Russo has also led the line in each fixture.
Those two should keep their places.
The left side is less certain.
Chloe Kelly started against Palace after Olivia Smith had been selected at Brighton.
Manchester United’s defensive struggles this season could tempt Slegers to use a more direct option from the start.
However, Arsenal also need control after struggling to break down Palace.
That makes Smith an attractive choice alongside Mariona and Baum behind Russo.
Cerci and Reuteler could then become important options from the bench.
Arsenal Women Predicted XI vs Manchester United
Formation: 4-2-3-1
GK: Misa Rodríguez
RB: Emily Fox
CB: Leah Williamson
CB: Steph Catley
LB: Ona Batlle
CM: Georgia Stanway
CM: Kim Little
RW: Lisa Baum
CAM: Mariona Caldentey
LW: Olivia Smith
ST: Alessia Russo
The biggest calls are therefore Catley over Wubben-Moy, Little over Cooney-Cross and Smith over Kelly.
None would represent a major tactical overhaul.
Instead, they would restore several combinations used in Arsenal’s opening-day victory while keeping enough attacking depth on the bench to change the game.
Manchester United arrive having lost their opening two WSL fixtures, including a heavy defeat against Chelsea.
Arsenal cannot assume that makes Saturday straightforward.
United frustrated Slegers’ side repeatedly last season, and the Gunners’ own difficulties against Palace showed how damaging another slow attacking performance could be.
Arsenal can also equal a long-standing club record this weekend, with our look at the 19-game WSL unbeaten run explaining what is at stake beyond the three points.
Supporters unable to attend can find all the broadcast details in our Arsenal Women vs Manchester United TV and live-stream guide.
Slegers has more attacking options than she did a week ago.
Saturday will show which combination she believes is best equipped to turn Arsenal’s dominance into goals.
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