08 December 2023 , 16:35
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Emma Hayes has insisted it is "business as usual" for table-topping Chelsea ahead of their heavyweight WSL clash with Arsenal.
The WSL champions travel to the Emirates Stadium on Sunday with only three points separating the sides at the top of the table. Close to 60,000 tickets have been sold for a match that could decide who sits in first place going into the Christmas break.
Both managers are looking downplay the significance of the contest. Arsenal manager Jonas Eidevall insisted his team was only focused on performance, rather than the outcome.
Hayes also said there would be little change from her sides' regular preparation, despite facing a title rival. But she did pick out one area of Arsenal's approach that the Blues will need to combat.
"Arsenal have the most counter attacking shots in the league," said Hayes. "They are an unbelievable counter attacking team.
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"They can cut you open in two or three passes and have such a threat on the last line. We've seen that in the games they have played.
"They have more depth I think than ever before. They are a team that have been together for a long period of time, a lot of them. So they've got a lot of experience but I also think they've got a lot of new players that are adding lots to their team. They are a top team."
Hayes also revealed she will still be without Millie Bright for the trip to North London. Bright, 30, withdrew from the Lionesses recent Nations League fixtures against Netherlands and Scotland.
That means Jess Carter and Maren Mjelde are likely to continue at centre-back. But Hayes has been handed a double selection boost, with two key players back in contention.
"Millie (Bright) is still out," added Hayes. "Jelena Cankovic still has a calf injury and has been out a little over two weeks so far. But Melanie (Leupolz) and Guro (Reiten) are both back.
"They are available for selection, both of them."
Guro Reiten is back for Chelsea against Arsenal (Photo by Robbie Jay Barratt - AMA/Getty Images)It could be the last time Hayes takes her Chelsea team for an away game at Arsenal. The Blues boss will leave at the end of the season to join the USWNT.
And it is likely to be in front of a WSL record crowd. The Gunners have already sold over 57,000 tickets, meaning the attendance could be even greater than the 54,115 who saw them lose to Liverpool on the opening day.
A frenzied atmosphere is expected for the first meeting of the season between the two London rivals. But the Chelsea boss doesn't expect that to have any bearing on the result.
"I think my team is used to that (hostile crowd) to be honest," added Hayes. "In Champions League, domestically, these girls all play international football and deal with that. The crowd is something we focus on the least amount.
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"But we are grateful it is going to be packed, because it is always much more enjoyable when it is."