MX23RW : Tuesday, December 24 18:03:56| >> :600:102482787:102482787:

Gareth Taylor hopes Man City rise to 'good challenge' against Arsenal

Gareth Taylor hopes Man City rise to 'good challenge' against Arsenal
© Reuters
City have injury problems going into the WSL clash.

Manchester City Women manager Gareth Taylor sees Sunday's clash with Arsenal as a "good challenge" despite his side's host of injury issues.

City could have four senior players ruled out for the trip to Meadow Park as they look to bounce back from back-to-back defeats against Tottenham and Real Madrid.

"It's a tough game for us but I think it's a good game for us to have," said Taylor.

"We're a little bit light in certain areas of the pitch in terms of availability of players, but I see it as a really good challenge for us."

Taylor's team will be looking to bounce back against Arsenal
Gareth Taylor's Manchester City team will be looking to bounce back against Arsenal (Nick Potts/PA)

The City injury list includes England international Steph Houghton, with Taylor admitting she could face a lengthy spell on the sidelines from a problem she sustained on duty with the national side.

"Unfortunately Steph had to return from (international) camp quite early. She's in a boot currently with an Achilles issue. We don't know a time frame but we don't think it's going to be especially short," the City Women manager said.

Jonas Eidevall's Arsenal side have won all six of their matches since he took charge in the summer, and have scored 21 goals.

Manchester City Women have a number of players ruled out through injury
Manchester City Women have a number of players ruled out through injury (Nick Potts/PA)

Marc Skinner is another manager relishing a big test as his Manchester United side prepare to host champions Chelsea on Sunday.

"It will be a really good challenge for us in terms of seeing where we're at, what can we do to the best team from last year in terms of the league," Skinner said.

"We have to be more consistent in every game. We've got to raise our game against everyone.

"I'm more interested in how we challenge our own mindset in these games than about what Chelsea will bring."

Elsewhere, Hope Powell's Brighton host Aston Villa as they look to maintain their perfect start to the season of two wins from two.

Tottenham, who had a shock victory over Manchester City, will try to build on that against Reading.

Leicester will be looking for their first points of the league season when they travel to West Ham.

ID:465376:1false2false3false:QQ:: from db desktop :LenBod:collect6545:
Written by
P A

Click here for more stories about Gareth Taylor

Collect / Create New Data
Share this article now:
Chelsea manager Thomas Tuchel looks on on September 11, 2021
Read Next:
Thomas Tuchel: 'We deserved to lose to Manchester City'
>
Sports Mole Logo
Enter your email address to subscribe to Sports Mole's free daily transfer newsletter! Sent twice a day during the transfer window.
rhs 2.0
Today's games header
Tables header RHS
TeamPWDLFAGDPTS
1Liverpool16123137162139
2Chelsea17105237191835
3Arsenal1796234161833
4Nottingham ForestNott'm Forest179442319431
5Bournemouth178452721628
6Aston Villa178452626028
7Manchester CityMan City178362925427
8Newcastle UnitedNewcastle177552721626
9Fulham176742422225
10Brighton & Hove AlbionBrighton176742726125
11Tottenham HotspurSpurs1772839251423
12Brentford177283232023
13Manchester UnitedMan Utd176472122-122
14West Ham UnitedWest Ham175572230-820
15Everton163761421-716
16Crystal Palace173771826-816
17Leicester CityLeicester173592137-1614
18Wolverhampton WanderersWolves1733112740-1312
19Ipswich TownIpswich172691632-1612
20Southampton1713131136-256


Sports Mole provides in-depth previews and predictions for every match from the biggest leagues and competitions in world football.
Argentina's Lionel Messi kisses the World Cup trophy after collecting the Golden Ball award on December 18, 2022Sign up for our FREE daily preview newsletter direct to your inbox!