Chelsea v Arsenal ‘could really flip things’ in Women’s Super League title race, says Ellen White

Friday’s match between Chelsea and Arsenal at Stamford Bridge “could really flip” the Women’s Super League title race, says Ellen White.

The Gunners beat Emma Hayes’ side 4-1 in December’s reverse fixture.

“It’s huge. If Arsenal win, they’ve closed that gap on Chelsea,” former Arsenal striker White told BBC’s Women’s Football Weekly podcast.

“To gain those three points and be in an incredible position for Arsenal would be a big one. It could really flip things up.

“We want every game to be exciting, not sure what will happen and go down to the wire. We don’t want one team to run off and it be so obvious who’s going to win.

“You want that competitiveness. I feel every game is a real challenge for each team now, which is really exciting.”

‘A six-point game’

While the odds are against Arsenal, they still have a big part to play in the title race.

Eidevall’s side have lost three WSL games this season – no team has won the title with more than two defeats.

But with a trip to Manchester City in the penultimate game of the season still to come, injured striker Vivianne Miedema said “everything is to play for”.

“The girls are confident and they have got right to be,” she said.

“We all know and we all realise how important that game is on Friday. I’d be very disappointed if they aren’t ready and up for it but I’m sure they will be.

“It’s a six-point game. If we lose, we’re six points behind, which is going to be extremely tough and probably not doable. If we beat Chelsea, we still play Man City away. Everything is to play for.”

Friday’s match is a dress rehearsal for this year’s Women’s League Cup final, with holders Arsenal facing Chelsea at Molineux on 31 March.

“They’re not really thinking about it [the final] yet to be honest,” Miedema said.

“We’ve got a massive game coming up against Chelsea on Friday night which, if we want to have any chance of winning the league, we probably need to get three points there.

“We know we are three points behind Man City and Chelsea in the league but there is still a lot to play for. It’s exciting to watch the end of the season.”

Miedema will be watching from the stands at Stamford Bridge and remains out after having minor surgery on a knee problem suffered last month.

The WSL’s record goalscorer, who only returned from an anterior cruciate ligament injury in October, expects to be back playing soon.

“It’s been frustrating to have this setback again,” she said. “I had surgery last Monday. It’s behind now and I can just move forward.

“There’s no point rushing it. I just need to take care of myself. I am still only 27 and have a couple of years ahead so I just need to do what’s best for my body right now.”