[Albion] Arsenal vs Brighton & Hove Albion FA Cup Semi Final *** Official Match Thread ***

[Dick Swiveller]

They say imitation is the sincerest form of flattery so whilst everyone is in a good mood, here is a reminder of what is happening tomorrow. Damned if I am doing the image thing and can't find the officials or a press conference so this will have to do,

Venue: Meadow Park
Date: Sunday 31st October 2021
Kick-Off: 16:45 GMT

Live on BBC2

TEAM NEWS

Malin Gut is unavailable for the Gunners due to a long-term injury.

Vivianne Miedema will be rested for this tie having also been given time off from Netherlands most recent international fixture.

Simone Boye is available again after a muscle injury having joined up with Denmark over the international period. Anna Patten is also available again having played for England’s U-23s against Belgium last week. Steph Catley, Caitlin Foord, Lydia Williams and Tobin Heath are all available despite long haul flights during the international period. Malin Gut (ACL) is a long-term absentee.

Brighton & Hove Albion will be without Arsenal loanee Fran Stenson so teenager Frances Angel is set to provide cover for the goalkeeping position on the bench. Midfielder Dani Bowman has been recovering from foot surgery and it is not known when she will be fit to return. Manager Hope Powell is not thought to have any new injury concerns to contend with following the international break.

 

[dadams2k11]

You might want to add WSL in the title, it's pretty misleading.

 

[Dick Swiveller]

You might want to add WSL in the title, it's pretty misleading.

Why would I want to do that? It isn't a WSL game. It is an FA Cup Semi Final - as I said.

 

[Silverhatch]

Huge game for the club. Hope that the team are ready to give everything and be brave.

 

[Swansman]

Definitely watching this today. Anyone watching boring West Ham vs boring Aston Villa instead need to get their priorities right.

 

[Bry Nylon]

I've got the Man City vs Chelsea semi final on at the moment. Decent enough game but ruined as a competitive spectacle by some comedy keeping by the City goalie, who are now 2 down after less than 30 mins as a result.

 

[Dick Swiveller]

Just had a look at the odds. We are 22/1. Under the radar.

 

[Swansman]

Just had a look at the odds. We are 22/1. Under the radar.

Yup.

Think they've lost like one game in six months or something.

I hope Brighton will win but I'm a bit torn as I had the Arsenal manager as my supervisor and coaching instructor for two years when I was coaching kiddos like 12 years ago. Generally wish him all the best obviously but think he can afford to lose this one and just go and win the Champions League or something...

 

[1066familyman]

It surely can't be right that both semi finals are at the home grounds of two teams taking part. How does that work!?

I'm not in favour of semi's played at Wembley, although I did appreciate a first visit to the new Wembley for our game.

Surely home advantage can't be right. Although it's not doing Man City any favours at the moment.

 

[Cheeky Monkey]

Arsenal have a very good and expensively assembled squad. Need to be at the top of our game.

 

[pasty]

Winners will face Chelsea in the final

 

[Swansman]

[tweet]1454837118484819969[/tweet]

 

[One Teddy Maybank]

Good luck ladies

 

[swindonseagull]

Im going to try and watch but I have a very short fuse watching womens football, I have tried before but never watched a complete half let alone a whole game.

 

[Deanbha]

Bored already.

 

[Easy 10]

Connolly in the lineup ? So thats why he was left out of the squad yesterday.

Still don't rate his chances.

 

[ozzygull]

Bored already.

I am watch Aston Villa v West Ham and it’s boring as well.

 

[bhafc99]

Don’t think we’ve crossed the halfway line yet, it’s one-way traffic.

 

[Raleigh Chopper]

I'm not sure that the correct adjective for another team playing at this ground is formidable.
Brighton doing OK against a better side, but it is a tough watch but the quality of this half is quite a bit better than the last 10 minutes that I watched of the other semi final, which was shocking to be very honest.

 

[Pavilionaire]

You can sum up this first half in one word - Alamo.