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      Jonas Eidevall expects a ‘reality check’ for Arsenal in clash with record Champions League winners Lyon

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      JONAS EIDEVALL is relishing the “reality check” awaiting Arsenal when they take on Lyon in their toughest Champions League test yet.And the Gunners chief, 39, hailed Beth Mead’s deadly finishing after the forward was narrowly pipped to a Women’s Ballon d’Or gong.
      Jonas Eidevall’s Arsenal face a Lyon side who have won their opening five games in France’s top tier this termCredit: Getty
      Lyon are contending with injury issues with star striker Ada Hegerberg one of eight players crockedCredit: Getty – Contributor
      On Wednesday night Eidevall’s side will visit the Groupama Stadium in France for their first group-stage game in the contest.
      There they will face the French football juggernauts who are the Champions League record trophy winners with eight crowns to date.
      Eidevall said: “It’s a very good reality check to see where we are at the moment.
      “That is always very exciting to see we will know exactly where we are at and what we need to continue to improve on.
      “When you play in the Champions League, it is a little bit different when you’re playing really good teams like Lyon.
      “You can’t think that you will play a game where you will be in total control.
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      “We have to expect that we will be in control in some parts of the game but so will Lyon.
      “We need to deal with facing more shots on target than we have been doing recently, facing more set pieces than we have been doing recently.”
      April 2011 was the last time the Gunners faced the French giants in the tournament.
      Back then Lyon sealed a 3-2 semi-final victory over two legs against the WSL side that included current skipper Kim Little.
      Arsenal, currently second in the WSL, go into the game without crocked centre-backs Leah Williamson and Rafaelle.
      However, their hosts are battling with an injury crisis with several aces out of action. 
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      Players sidelined include star striker Ada Hegerberg and midfielder Catarina Macario who both netted in Lyon’s 3-1 Champion League final defeat of Barcelona last term.
      Despite their lengthy injury list Caitlin Foord reckons the French giants will pose a considerable threat.
      The Gunners forward, 27, said: “Regardless of injuries or not the squad they have is very strong and the starting eleven they put out will be a world-class team.
      “It’s going to be a good challenge for us.”
      Arsenal’s Lyon trip comes two days after Beth Mead, 27, finished as a runner-up to Alexia Putellas in this year’s Women’s Ballon d’Or.
      The player, who won the Golden Boot at this summer’s Euros, finished just one point behind the Barcelona star in the Ballon d’Or rankings.
      Beth Mead’s performances earned her a second-place finish at this year’s Ballon d’Or awardsCredit: Getty
      Eidevall added: “I know the goals and assists that Beth provides are absolutely world-class.
      “I also see other things in her as a person and as a player that are so valuable to us.
      “When you see her reactions when we lose the ball for me she is the fastest player that I ever had the privilege to coach in reacting to those situations and to be able to be first to those balls.”
      Arsenal will play Swiss side Zurich at the Emirates next Thursday in their second Champions League group-stage gameCredit: Getty More

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      Beth Mead laughs at caption describing her as Vivianne Miedema’s ‘guest’ after coming close to Women’s Ballon d’Or win

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      BETH MEAD saw the funny side of a photo caption describing her as a ‘guest’ of Vivianne Miedema at the Ballon d’Or awards on Monday. The stunning picture of the Arsenal stars was taken before the Euros winner was announced as runner-up to Alexia Putellas for this year’s prize.
      Vivianne Miedema and Beth Mead were among four WSL stars nominated for this year’s Women’s Ballon d’Or gongCredit: Getty
      A picture of Miedema and Mead at the awards ceremony included a caption referring to Mead as the Dutch striker’s guestCredit: Getty
      The Barcelona ace, 28, claimed top spot in the Ballon d’Or’s rankings with Mead coming second following a standout season for club and country.
      Mead and Miedema were photographed together on the red carpet at the glitzy ceremony celebrating the feats of the world’s best players.
      A caption accompanying the picture, taken at Paris’s Theatre Du Chatelet, saw the forward described as a guest of her Arsenal team-mate much to the bemusement of fans on social media.
      However, Mead, 27, tweeted a light-hearted response with a thumbs up and laughing face with tears emojis and the LOL acronym for ‘laughing out loud’.

      And Netherland’s ace Miedema, 26, tweeted a reply of her own with a thumbs up emoji which read ‘happy I got to take my guest’.
      Mead reportedly finished just one point behind Putellas with the Barca skipper becoming the first player to retain the Women’s Ballon d’Or.
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      The Gunners heroine won the Euros Golden Boot after notching six goals as England played their way into the history books with their first major tournament win.
      The Yorkshire-born forward helped Arsenal take last season’s title battle to the wire with the team finishing a point behind league winners Chelsea.
      Mead, whose “Lioness: My Journey to Glory” book goes on sale in November, bagged 11 goals and eight assists in 22 top-tier matches for her club.
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      Her partner Miedema finished in 11th place in this year’s Ballon d’Or awards after ending last term as Arsenal’s top scorer with 14 goals.
      Tomorrow the WSL stars and their club play in their Champions League group stage game this term.
      The match will see them take on last term’s tournament winners Lyon who have the contest a record eight times in the past 11 years.
      Arsenal will play Lyon in the Champions League for the first time since 2011Credit: Getty More

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      Ballon d’Or history maker Alexia Putellas hopes to be back out on the pitch by the end of this season

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      ALEXIA PUTELLAS reportedly hopes to return to the pitch before the end of this term following her knee injury blow in July.  The Barcelona star, 28, was reflecting on her recovery after becoming the first player to retain the Women’s Ballon d’Or.
      Alexia Putellas made Women’s Ballon d’Or history by becoming the first player to win the gong for a second straight yearCredit: Getty
      Beth Mead’s clinical performances for Arsenal saw her finish in second placeCredit: Getty
      Sam Kerr finished in third place after ending last season as the WSL’s Golden Boot winnerCredit: Getty
      Arsenal ace Beth Mead, 27, and Chelsea’s Sam Kerr, 29, came in second and third place after impressing for their clubs last term.
      Meanwhile, Putellas’ Barcelona team-mate Lucy Bronze finished in tenth spot followed by Vivianne Miedema in eleventh place.   
      Putellas wrote her name into the history books following a standout season with her club.
      The midfielder notched up 42 goals and 22 assists across all competitions last term with her team winning their seventh top-tier title in Spain.
      The Barca captain, who missed this summer’s Euros due to a damaged knee ligament, was the Champions League’s highest scorer last season.

      She netted 11 goals in 10 games helping her club reach the contest’s final for a second successive year.
      And Putellas admits winning this year’s Ballon d’Or was a “far away” thought in her mind following the injury she sustained before the Euros.
      The Barca icon told Spanish news outlet Sport: “I wouldn’t say that it was a surprise to win again.
      “But when I got injured the day before playing the European Championship I didn’t think about it, I saw it far away.
      “But the criteria has changed and it goes by a season and the decision has been based on that
      “I was injured but they (the judging panel) have valued the rest of the season and that makes me happy.”
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      On her win, Putellas added: “I’m very happy to be back here.
      “A year ago I was able to win this prize and it pushed me to want to get even better.
      “Without my team-mates this wouldn’t have been possible.
      “I want to thank the technical staff and the coach as well. And to thank everyone involved at the club off the pitch.”
      In March and April, Putellas scored in front of record crowds of more than 91,000 fans in Barca’s Champions League quarters and semi-final wins against Real Madrid and Wolfsburg.
      In July it was announced the player would be facing a long spell on the sidelines after sustaining an anterior cruciate ligament injury on international duty with Spain.
      Putellas netted 42 goals for Barcelona last seasonCredit: Alamy
      When asked when she envisages returning to the pitch, Putellas said: “With this injury, it is difficult to determine specific deadlines, but the knee is responding well, I am evolving day by day.
      “Before, all I did was think about performance and now about recovering well.
      “Everything is going as the doctors think, I hope to play this season, as long as I feel good.” More

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      Taylor backs Shaw to shine after Manchester City claim their first win in the WSL this season

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      GARETH TAYLOR reckons Khadija Bunny Shaw is leaping to the challenge of becoming Manchester City’s main threat up top.The Jamaica striker struck twice as City trounced Leicester in a 4-0 home win with Yui Hasegawa bagging a stunning debut goal.
      Shaw headed in City’s opening goal against Leicester at the Academy StadiumCredit: ©MI News & Sport Ltd
      Lauren Hemp got on the scoresheet for the hosts who are currently eighth in the top tierCredit: Getty
      And Lauren Hemp was also on target netting the hosts’ third as Shaw took her WSL tally to three goals in three games this season.
      The striker has started in all of City’s league games following the retirement of club legend Ellen White.
      Taylor, whose team visit Tottenham next, said: “Bunny is showing what she’s capable of week-in, week-out. She had a good season last year.
      “She had good competition with Ellen and she gave us different options. At the moment she’s our one real standout option (as a striker).
      “We’ve got to other players who can potentially play there with the likes of Deyna Castellanos and Mary Fowler.
      “It’s a good start for her and a good challenge and one that she’s enjoying.”
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      On City claiming their first win this term, Shaw said: “We wanted to show our quality and bounce back from the two defeats (against Aston Villa and Chelsea).
      “It’s time we got points on the table, and we wanted to use this game to build momentum going forward.”
      The hosts went on the attack quickly with Castellanos close to getting a boot on the end of Hemp’s fifth-minute cross.
      Chloe Kelly struck the crossbar with a fierce effort in the 13th minute before Sophie Howard hit the side netting for the Foxes ten minutes later.
      City took the lead shortly after with Hemp teeing up Shaw’s leaping header home after a fine run forward from Esme Morgan.
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      The Foxes looked to pull one back with Aileen Whelan’s rifled shot blocked moments before Castellanos thumped the crossbar minutes before half-time.
      Taylor’s side doubled their lead in the 71st minute through Hemp’s header.
      Shaw then made it three pouncing on a rebound after Foxes keeper Kirstie Levell saved Alex Greenwood’s spot-kick.
      Hasegawa, making her first City appearance since her summer switch from West Ham, was among the starters who impressed.
      Yui Hasegawa scored her debut as Man City sealed a convincing win against the FoxesCredit: Getty
      The Japan star scored a stunning debut goal for Taylor’s side rifling home a right-footed shot to seal a 4-0 win.
      The Academy Stadium chief added: “Yui brings fluidity to the play, she’s good technically in between the lines and can score goals as she did in this game.
      “She is a player we have admired, and I’m pleased we’ve been able to secure her. I think she will do really well at this club.” More

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      West Ham Women’s boss Paul Konchesky sent off after huge bust-up with Aston Villa bench in fiery WSL clash

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      WEST HAM WOMEN’S boss Paul Konchesky was sent off for a pitchside bust-up in a fiery Women’s Super League clash with Aston Villa.In stoppage-time during the Hammers’ 2-1 win, West Ham defender Hawa Cissoko was shown a straight red card for smacking Villa right-back Sarah Mayling in the face.
      Cissoko was dismissed for hitting Mayling in added time at the end of the gameCredit: Rex
      The violent conduct came right under the nose of the refereeCredit: Getty
      Cissoko remonstrated with members of the Villa bench as she went down the tunnelCredit: Getty
      Konchesky, circled, during the altercation which saw him red cardedCredit: Getty Images
      Konchesky was dismissed after being dragged into the pitchside brawlCredit: Rex
      And in the melee which ensued, Konchensky was dismissed for aggressive behaviour as both teams became embroiled in a touchline brawl.
      However, Villa confirmed that in spite of reports, He did NOT hit any of their staff.
      Konchesky, who played for West Ham’s men’s team between 2005 and 2007, claimed after the game that the incident occurred because the Villa players were saying things to Cissoko.
      Speaking about his own red card, the visiting boss said: “Is it harsh? Probably, because I’m sticking up for my player who is getting stuff said to her.
      “Whatever the consequences are, I’ll take. We don’t want to see that, I get it, but I’ll stick up for my players, so I have.
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      “As Hawa goes down the tunnel, some of their staff are saying stuff to my players, which I don’t respect.
      “So me and my staff will obviously stick up for my players and that’s why you see, not a scrap, but you see it all going, near the dugouts.”
      On Cissoko’s dismissal, he then added: “I’m not sure what happened. I did see Hawa raise her hands.
      “She’s upset. She’s apologetic because she knows she’s a big part of us and we’re going to miss her.
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      “It’s gone on now, we’ll have to deal with it in the weeks to come.”
      Villa boss Carla Ward added: “I’ve never seen anything like that in a game, the punch in the face from Cissoko is not acceptable.
      “The melee in the dugout is absolutely not OK, from what I’ve seen.
      “What’s frustrating is our girls were superb, they deserved more from that game.”
      West Ham won the WSL match thanks to two early goals from Dagny Brynjarsdottir and Honoka Hayashi.
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      Villa midfielder Kenza Dali pulled one back in the second half but it proved to be merely a consolation for the hosts.
      Meanwhile, Konchesky, who also played for Charlton, Fulham, Leicester, Liverpool and earned two caps for England, now runs a pie and mash cafe in Essex. More

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      Emma Hayes will have a link to Chelsea’s dugout and can watch training online as she recovers from a hysterectomy

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      PAUL GREEN will temporarily fill in with managing Emma Hayes’ Chelsea side as she continues with her recovery from a hysterectomy.The Blues chief, 45, will continue to be involved in the running of her team who take on Everton away on Sunday.
      Blues general manager Paul Green says Emma Hayes will “definitely still be involved” in overseeing ChelseaCredit: PA
      Hayes will have a direct link to Chelsea’s dugoutCredit: PA
      On Thursday Hayes revealed she would be away from the dugout as she recuperates from a hysterectomy operation carried out last week.
      Green, who is the Blues’ general manager, will oversee on-field matters with assistant coach Denise Reddy leading the WSL title-holders from the touchline.
      Chelsea will play the Toffees at Walton Hall Park before their first Champions League group stage game against Paris Saint-Germain next week.
      Green said: “Emma will definitely still be involved. She’ll be at home watching all the training online.
      “I’m sure it’ll be difficult for her to watch the games at home.
      “It’s business as usual for us. It just means our leader won’t be there, which is a blow but the staff and the players are experienced enough to get through this situation.
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      “You know what sort of character she is. She’ll be linked into the bench on the match days as long as she’s well enough to do that.”
      Reddy, 52, who was born in New Jersey, in the United States, has been Hayes’ No2 since 2020.
      The former Sky Blue FC boss has 15 years’ worth of top-flight coaching experience working in Sweden and Denmark as well as the USA.
      Green added: “Denise is very detailed in her coaching, probably second to none in the way that she speaks to players individually and really goes through the individual analysis of players.
      “She’ll be there on the touchline with Emma in her ear on the mic.”
      This week Blues midfield star Melanie Leupolz revealed she had given birth to her first child after announcing her pregnancy in March.
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      The Germany international, who signed for Chelsea in March 2020 after a six-year Bayern Munich spell, helped the club to a quadruple trophy win in the 2020-21 season.
      That season Leupolz made 19 top-tier appearances and helped the Blues win the league title, the Conti and FA Cups and a Community Shield.
      And the Kingsmeadow star also helped the club to reach the Champions League final for the first time in their history last year.
      When asked about the timeframe of Leupolz’s return to action, Green said: “It’s obviously great news that she’s given birth and to add a new member to the Chelsea family. We’re all delighted for her.
      “In terms of her return, that’s something the club are in communication with Melanie directly (about).
      “We’re supporting her through her maternity leave so there’s no timeline on that at that moment.
      Green says there is no timeline for Leupolz’s return to action for Chelsea following the birth of her first childCredit: Getty
      “I think you can see from the pictures she put out, she’s in incredible shape and looking to get back as soon as possible.
      “But we’ve got to make sure the timing’s right and the timing’s appropriate when she feels ready and physically she’s able to do that.
      “So from our side, there’s no pressure; we want her to come back in when she’s ready.” More

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      Villa boss Carla Ward believes Rachel Daly could ‘one hundred per cent’ be a striker option for England

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      CARLA WARD believes Rachel Daly’s ruthless scoring form could make her an option in attack for England.And the Aston Villa boss, 38, hopes to extend her managerial tenure beyond next season with her contract set to expire in 2023.
      Carla Ward’s side are targeting a fourth win across all competitionsCredit: Getty
      Rachel Daly has netted four goals in three matches for VillaCredit: Reuters
      Ward’s aces face Paul Konchesky’s West Ham in their first home match after the international break.
      The club, who are third, have enjoyed an impressive start to this season
      They have claimed three wins in three games in all contests including a surprise defeat of Manchester City.
      Their efforts have seen Daly – who bagged four goals in three games across all contests – win September’s Barclays WSL player of the month gong.
      On if the Villa ace could be considered as a Lionesses forward option, Ward said: “Rachel is one of the highest scorers in the WSL right now so one hundred per cent she should be.
      “She’s a centre forward and she should be absolutely knocking on the door.
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      “She is brilliant on and off the pitch and I could not speak higher in terms of what she does for the youngsters.
      “They’re all in awe of her because of what she’s achieved. But what she does for them is exceptional.
      “She’s taken them all under the wing and will get after them to make sure they don’t have a single minute or second off.
      “She sets a standard that is unbelievably high.”
      Villa, who finished ninth last term, are currently reaping the rewards of Ward’s business in the summer transfer window.
      The signings of Danielle Turner, Daly and Kenza Dali, and loan swoops for Anna Patten and Kirsty Hanson have made a positive difference to the team on the pitch.
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      On former Everton skipper Turner’s shifts in defence for Villa, Ward added: “She hasn’t put a foot wrong.
      “Danielle has been unbelievable not just on the pitch but with her professionalism off it.
      “You can see why she was a captain and leader at Everton.”
      Ward, who won the WSL manager of the month prize for September, hopes to extend her reign as club boss.
      Danielle Turner has impressed in Villa’s defence since joining the side this summer after ten years at EvertonCredit: Getty
      The Villa manager, who has seven months left on her contract, said: “I want to be here for a long, long time.
      “It is something that I’m sure will be discussed soon.
      “All being well, I would say yes. Hopefully, that’s a conversation (that happens) soon.”
      Villa are currently winless against West Ham in four WSL encounters.
      The London club have been victorious once against the Villans and sealed draws in three other top-flight duels with their rivals.
      In the Hammers, Ward sees a side whose style reflects Konchesky on the pitch during his Irons playing days.
      Paul Konchesky’s West Ham aim to pick up a second win in the WSL after their season-opening defeat of EvertonCredit: Reuters
      The Bescot Stadium chief sees her team’s opponents as “confident, aggressive and front-footed”.  
      West Ham gaffer, Konchesky, 41, said: “We want to build on what we did last year (finish sixth in the league).
      “If we get one more point or one step further in cup competition that would be a success for us.” More

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      Chelsea Women’s manager Emma Hayes has emergency hysterectomy and forced to step away from football to recover

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      CHELSEA women’s manager Emma Hayes has been forced to take a break from football after undergoing an emergency hysterectomy.Denise Reddy will step in and make the on-field decisions while Hayes, who has been battling endometriosis, recovers.
      Hayes will step away to recover from her hysterectomyCredit: Getty
      Paul Green will also be playing his part, carrying out all press obligations on Hayes’ behalf.
      Hayes, 45, says she expects to make a full recovery and has called on her team to “respond to the challenge” of her absence.
      An official statement from Hayes, via Chelseafc.com, reads: “Last Tuesday I underwent an emergency hysterectomy following my ongoing battle with endometriosis.
      “I’m now in recovery and will need time and patience to return to full health.
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      “I just want to say thank you also to my amazing doctors, Dr Alex Laurence and Dr Sally Harris for their outstanding care.
      “A huge thank you to our owners, the board and our HR director, Jo Stone, for the support they’ve shown and of course all of my family, staff and players.
      “Throughout my absence, Denise Reddy will be making the on-field decisions along with Paul Green who will be carrying out all press obligations on my behalf.
      “We have built a tremendous team over many years and we’ve adopted a very multi-disciplinary approach so that if situations like this arise, we are capable of being able to respond to the challenge. We have full confidence in Paul, Denise and all of the staff.
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      “We also know the team are very special and we have no doubt they’ll do everything to maintain their high standards.
      “To our fans, you’ve had to listen to me bellowing from the other side of the pitch every week but now I want to hear you even louder because I’ll be sitting at home watching the team on the television until my return.
      “I know you’ll respect that my health comes first and at this time I’ve got to prioritise what I need to do for me.
      “I fully expect to make a full recovery and I look forward to seeing you in the foreseeable future.
      “All the best, Your Manager Emma.”
      Endometriosis is a chronic condition which occurs when tissue from the lining of the womb is found outside of the womb – in areas of the body including the ovaries, Fallopian tubes, the abdomen and the bladder.
      Around one-in-ten women are believed to be affected by endometriosis, which can affect fertility.
      Emma, who is mum to four-year-old Harry, has spoken previously about her struggles with the condition, describing it as a silent disease, and saying: “I feel the pain, but I refuse to let it take over.”
      She has also called on the game to do more to recognise the condition, and how players’ menstrual cycles and hormonal health can affect performance levels.
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      Chelsea find themselves fourth in the Women’s Super League after three games played.
      The Blues lost their opening game 2-1 to Liverpool, but responded well with wins over Manchester City and West Ham.
      What causes endometriosis?
      The exact cause of the condition isn’t known, but it’s thought it could be hereditary or due to environmental factors – namely the presence of dioxins in the environment.
      Meanwhile, other experts believe it could be caused by a process called retrograde menstruation, which is when the womb lining flows backwards through the Fallopian tubes into the abdomen, instead of leaving the body as a period.
      Endometriosis can sometimes cause damage to the Fallopian tubes or ovaries, leading to fertility problems.
      Other complications can include painful ovarian cysts and adhesions – areas of tissue which can fuse organs together. More