Gunners Set to Begin FA Cup Campaign
The Gunners will kick off their journey in the Adobe Women’s FA Cup this Sunday as they take on Bristol City Women in the fourth round. After nearly a month off the pitch, our squad is eager to return to action at Meadow Park. This match will also coincide with the fourth anniversary of our No More Red initiative, highlighting our commitment to social change.
Facing Bristol City
Bristol City Women, currently competing in the Championship, secured their spot in the fourth round with a 3-0 away victory against Southampton. Historically, we have strong dominance over Bristol, winning 15 out of 21 encounters. Last season, while Bristol was still a part of the Women’s Super League (WSL), we triumphed over them in both league matches. One of the highlights from our past meetings includes a record 11-0 win against the Robins in December 2019— the largest margin in WSL history. As the most successful team in Women’s FA Cup history, we have claimed the trophy 14 times over the tournament’s 55-year existence, while Bristol has reached the semi-finals five times.
Manager’s Insights
Coach Slegers on Bristol City: “I anticipate an interesting and challenging game as it will be our first match back after a break. Bristol City is a strong team in the Championship, and we must remain alert and ready to face them.”
Team Updates
In the latest pre-match press conference, Slegers confirmed that Lia Walti has returned to full training after missing recent games in December. Additionally, Emily Fox and Lina Hurtig have joined the squad recently, while Victoria Pelova and Amanda Ilestedt are back on the pitch but are yet to participate fully in training.
Match Officials
Referee: Amy Fearn
Assistant Referees: Harley Hetherington and Steven Walsh
Fourth Official: Aimee Keir
Tournament Overview
The Adobe Women’s FA Cup features a knockout format showcasing clubs from various divisions, with a total of 514 teams competing this year. The tournament begins with preliminary and qualifying rounds for lower-league teams, leading to the main draw. Higher-ranked teams enter in subsequent rounds; Championship teams join the competition in the third round, while Women’s Super League teams start in the fourth round. The final was held at Wembley Stadium for the first time in 2015, highlighting the growing popularity of women’s football, with our Gunners clinching the title in 2016 with a 1-0 victory over Chelsea in front of a record crowd.
Upcoming Key Dates
If we triumph over Bristol City Women on Sunday and advance to the fifth round, the draw will take place on Monday, January 13. Here are some key upcoming dates:
- Fifth Round: Sunday, February 9, 2025
- Quarter-Final: Sunday, March 9, 2025
- Semi-Final: Sunday, April 13, 2025
- The Final: Sunday, May 18, 2025
How to Watch the Match
The match is set to kick off at 3 PM at Meadow Park. Fans who have not secured tickets can watch live via the Adobe Women’s FA Cup YouTube channel and FA Player. This broadcast is accessible globally, excluding the Middle East and North Africa. Highlights will also be available on Arsenal.com and the app after the match concludes.
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