Much-changed Göteborg visit Arsenal
Tuesday, March 13, 2012
Article summary
Göteborg FC are hoping their new-look side, including former Arsenal LFC midfielder Anita Asante, can overcome a Gunners squad bolstered by the return of an old favourite.
Article top media content
Article body
Much has changed at Göteborg FC since they booked their UEFA Women's Champions League quarter-final trip to Arsenal LFC and their new-look team must gel quickly as they travel to Borehamwood to face a Gunners side bolstered by the return of their hero from 2007.
Last year's Swedish runners-up have lost key players Lisa Dahlkvist and Linda Sembrant to Damallsvenskan rivals Tyresö FF, as well as Ingvild Stensland to Stabæk Fotball in Norway. In their places have arrived American duo Ingrid Wells and Christen Press, as well as England midfielder Anita Asante – who left Arsenal in 2008 and has been playing in the United States.
Also in the squad is Sweden defender Stina Segerström, out since April with an Achilles tear, and she said: "There have been a lot of changes in the team. Quality-wise we're good, we just haven't got all the pieces to fit yet. The turnover of players that we've had can be a source of motivation. Players will step up to assume greater responsibility. That's going to show now that it's time for competitive matches."
Arsenal, who began their domestic campaign with a 1-0 FA Women's Cup last-16 win at Lincoln LFC on Sunday, have added to their treble-winning squad by re-signing Boston Breakers and England pair Kelly Smith and Alex Scott, both veterans of their 2007 UEFA Women's Cup triumph. However, while the winning scorer of that final, Scott, is available on Wednesday, Smith is out with an ankle injury.
Having beaten Sweden's Linköpings FC at this stage last year only to lose to Olympique Lyonnais in the semi-finals, Arsenal are keen to go further. "There's been a couple of years of transition," midfielder Jayne Ludlow told UEFA.com. "We won the European Cup then lost about eight players from that team, to different clubs in England and a lot went to the States. We wished them well but we were sad to see them go.
"We've got a few of those girls back with more experience and better ability. But I could name a lot of youngsters with talent and it's a balancing act of the manager to bring them through. It will be an interesting season and for us it's about taking it to the next level."
