Former England captain Steph Houghton says Arsenal have had a difficult season so far – and they have a lot more to do if they want to defend their UEFA Women’s Champions League crown.
Speaking on BBC TV’s Football Focus on Saturday ahead of the Gunners’ trip to Stamford Bridge to play Chelsea in the Women’s Super League, Houghton was asked what a win would mean for both teams.
Of second-placed Chelsea, she said: “If they win today it puts pressure on Man City, who play tomorrow.”
The Blues are currently six points behind the league leaders, who they beat 1-0 in midweek to reach the final of the Subway Women’s League Cup.
And of her former club, who she represented between 2010 and 2013, she said: “For Arsenal, they’ve had a bit of a difficult season. Even though they’re third in the table, [by] their standards and the money that they’ve spent, they’ve not really performed at that level – so that little bit of pride and to try and close that gap [on Manchester City] from ten points to seven would be ideal for Arsenal in that chase for the title.”
Steph Houghton on Arsenal’s immediate future
Arsenal return to Champions League action next month as they face OH Leuven over two legs for a place in the quarter-finals. Chelsea have already sealed their place – and could be their London rivals’ opponent in the last eight.
“Both teams in Champions League, both wanting to get through to the next round in the quarters,” added Houghton, “but Arsenal have got a lot more work to do – but I think there’s going to be a change in the squad for the future.”
Arsenal have been linked with further transfer market activity – including a move for Lioness Georgia Stanway, who has already announced her intention to leave Bayern Munich at the end of the season.
