⚪️🔴 Arsenal Women vs Crystal Palace Women Preview: 10 Key Stats You Need to Know
Arsenal are flying, but can Palace pull off the impossible? Key stats, tactical insights, and predictions!
📍 Match Details
📅 Date: Sunday, January 19, 2025
🏟️ Venue: Meadow Park
⏰ Kick-off: 2:00 PM GMT
🔥 The Gunners Are Ready to Fire! But Can Crystal Palace Pull Off an Upset?
🔥 The Gunners Are Ready to Fire! But Can Crystal Palace Pull Off an Upset?
On January 19, 2025, Meadow Park will host a high-stakes showdown as third-placed Arsenal take on twelfth-placed Crystal Palace. This will be Arsenal’s first match since confirming Renée Slegers as permanent head coach—a well-earned appointment after an incredible interim run, winning 10 of 11 games and drawing just once.
With Slegers’ Arsenal in ruthless form, the real question isn’t whether they’ll put on a statement performance, but whether the unstoppable momentum she has built will continue.
For Palace, it’s about survival and finding momentum in a challenging season. Can they spoil the occasion and stun Arsenal?
Here are 10 key stats to set the stage for this encounter!
1⃣ Alessia Russo’s Goalscoring Form 🚀
Russo has 6 WSL goals this season, making her Arsenal’s top scorer and joint second-highest in the league behind City’s Khadija Shaw (9).
After failing to score in her first 5 WSL matches this season, Russo has now scored in each of her last 5 WSL games, netting 6 goals in that span.
She averages 3.66 shots per 90 minutes and a 36% shot on target conversion rate.
Can she extend her hot streak and lead Arsenal to another victory?
2️⃣ Arsenal Are the WSL’s Creative Kings 👑
🎯 Arsenal have created the most big chances in the WSL (38) – more than Chelsea and Manchester City!
🚨 But there’s a catch... They’ve also missed the most big chances (27). 7 more than the next team Chelsea(20).
Palace have conceded 26 goals (most in WSL), meaning Arsenal could either run riot or be wasteful again.
Will this be a dominant performance or another game of wasted chances?
3️⃣ The Rosa Kafaji Question: Hidden Gem or Small Sample Mirage? 🤔
⚡ Kafaji’s per 90 numbers are elite:
WSL most shots per 90 (6.8) 🎯
WSL most successful dribbles per 90 (5.9) 🏃♀️
WSL most shots on target per 90 (2.9) 🔥
📉 But here's the catch:
She’s only played 98 minutes this season (just over one full match).
If she plays, will she continue at this insane rate, or is this just statistical noise?
4️⃣ Palace’s Defence: A Fortress or a Freeway? 🚧
🧤 Shae Yanez has made the most saves per match (4.6) in the league– because she has to.
😬 Palace concede 2.6 goals per match – the worst in the league.
👉 Can Palace withstand the relentless Arsenal attack?
5️⃣ Katie McCabe: Arsenal’s Creative Engine ⚙️
🎯 Joint-2nd most assists in the WSL (3), behind only Lauren Hemp (5).
🎯 10 big chances created – the most in the WSL!
👀 23 total chances created – 3rd most in the league.
If Arsenal score, McCabe will likely have something to do with it!
6️⃣ Stina Blackstenius: Finishing or Fluffing? ❌🎯
⚠️ Blackstenius has missed the most big chances (6) in WSL this season.
Can she finally convert, or will it be another frustrating afternoon?
7️⃣ Arsenal’s Brick-Wall Defense 🏰
🛑 WSL’s second-best defensive record – only 0.5 goals conceded per game.
🏆 Joint-most clean sheets in the league (7), tied with Manchester United.
🧤 Daphne van Domselaar (83.3% save rate) is a wall in goal.
Crystal Palace will struggle to break them down. Can they find a way through?
8️⃣ The Set-Piece Battle 🎯
📊 Arsenal are second in most corners won (68).
💪 Leah Williamson is the WSL second best long passers in the league (6.7 per 90).
Will Arsenal exploit set-pieces to unlock the Palace defence?
9️⃣ Head-to-Head Record 📊
Arsenal and Crystal Palace have met once, with Arsenal winning 9-0.
That match was Joe Montemurro's last in charge of Arsenal.
This will be Renée Slegers' first match as permanent head coach..
🔟 Arsenal’s Pressing Game: The Silent Weapon 🔄
📊 Arsenal leads the league with 554 progressive passes.
⚡ 58.8% average possession (2nd highest in the league).
🔄 Most Touches in Attacking Third: 2,185 (WSL Leader).
Expect them to suffocate Palace high up the pitch!
🚨 Prediction: Arsenal Domination or Crystal Palace Upset?
📊 Arsenal are overwhelming favorites, and anything less than a commanding victory would be a shock. Crystal Palace will need a defensive masterclass and a bit of luck to avoid another heavy defeat.
⚽ Score Prediction: Arsenal 3-0 Crystal Palace. A comfortable win for the Gunners, unless Palace can pull off an unlikely miracle.
💬 Your Turn: How big will Arsenal’s win be? Drop your predictions below!
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