Arsenal Women will begin their 2023-24 season when they face Linkoping Women in Women's Champions League qualifying on Wednesday.
Linkoping are hosting the mini-tournament, which also features French outfit Paris FC and Ukrainian side Kryvbas Kryvyi Rih.
Match preview
Arsenal would have been relatively pleased with their efforts last term after they contended with a number of major injuries to win the League Cup — their first piece of silverware since 2019.
While they fell 11 points short of eventual Women's Super League champions Chelsea, the Gunners managed to hold off Manchester City to finish in the top three on goal difference, securing their place in Champions League qualifying.
Jonas Eidevall's side reached the Champions League semi-finals last season, but they have a number of hurdles to overcome before they can even start to think about producing another deep run in the competition.
The Gunners have been active in the transfer market during the summer months, strengthening their defence with Sweden international Amanda Ilestedt and Spanish World Cup winner Laia Codina.
Not only have they shored up their backline, Arsenal have added firepower to their side, recruiting Cloe Lacasse from Benfica and signing England star Alessia Russo on a free transfer following her Manchester United departure.
While Arsenal are preparing to begin their campaign, Linkopings are already up to speed as they enter the final two months of their domestic season.
They finished third in the Damallsvenskan last term to book their place in the first round of Champions League qualifying.
However, they are hoping to better that finishing position this time around after picking up 42 points from 19 games to move into second spot.
Anders Jacobson was recently placed in charge after Andree Jeglertz left his role to become Denmark Women's head coach, and the new Linkopings boss has picked up four points from his first two games as manager, overseeing a 5-2 win over Brommapojkarna and a goalless draw against Hacken.
With Linkopings unbeaten in 10 league matches (W8, D2), they will head into Thursday's encounter in a positive mood, as they look to pull off a surprise result against the Gunners.
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Team News
England international Beth Mead could be involved after recovering from an anterior cruciate ligament injury that she sustained in November.
Leah Williamson, Laura Wienroither and Vivianne Miedema are further behind in their respective recoveries from the same injury.
Ilestedt, Codina, Lacasse and Russo have been included in the squad, and Arsenal's summer additions will all be hoping to make their debuts on Wednesday.
As for Linkopings, Angela Beard and Malin Brenn are expected to feature among the substitutes after joining the Swedish side last week.
After featuring as a substitute in the goalless draw with Hacken, Stina Lennartsson is in contention to start against Arsenal.
Roma loanee Alva Selerud made her first start since returning to the club in Friday's league fixture, and the 23-year-old is expected to retain her place for Wednesday's contest.
Arsenal Women possible starting lineup:
Zinsberger; Maritz, Wubben-Moy, Ilestedt, Catley; Little, Walti; Foord, Pelova, McCabe; Russo
Linkoping Women possible starting lineup:
Andersson; E. Lennartsson, Ostlund, Karlsson; S. Lennartsson, De Jongh, Takarada, Selerud; Tandberg, Abam, Momiki
We say: Arsenal Women 2-0 Linkoping Women
With Arsenal yet to play a competitive game this term, they will have to be wary of getting caught cold by a Linkoping side that are in the midst of their domestic season.
While the Gunners may be lacking match practice, we think that they have enough quality in the squad to get the job done on Wednesday.
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