Arsenal face toughest test
Friday, October 7, 2005
Article summary
Two-time semi-finalists Arsenal LFC know they face a mammoth task to reach that stage for a third time as they play inaugural winners 1. FFC Frankfurt.
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Free-scoring Frankfurt
Frankfurt, also finalists in 2003/04, missed out on the competition last season but having reclaimed the German title are determined to succeed on the continental stage again. They won their second qualifying round group by scoring 16 goals in three games, despite a 1-1 draw with AC Sparta Praha.
Brøndby defeat
The English champions overcame Poland's KS AZS Wroclaw and Russia's LADA Toliatti, but lost top spot in Group B4 after a depleted team went down 1-0 to Brøndby IF. That left Arsenal having to take on Frankfurt, yet midfielder Ciara Grant believes that, should her club prevail over the next two Saturdays, they could go one better than in 2003 and 2005 when they lost in the last four to Fortuna Hjørring and Djurgården/Alvsjö respectively.
Spying mission
"To be honest, if we can get through this Saturday, and the away leg the following Saturday, I think we would have a very good chance of getting to the final," she said. "We're working very hard in training. [Manager] Vic [Akers] was out watching Frankfurt on Monday so he got some insight into how they play."
Fleeting injury
Akers' side have won all four of their Premier League fixtures this term, and on Sunday warmed up with a 5-0 League Cup victory against Wolverhampton Wanderers LFC at their usual Borehamwood home. Defender Faye White and midfielder Kelly Smith were both in action, having been injured and suspended respectively against Brøndby, but prolific striker Julie Fleeting remains sidelined.
International talent
That could be a significant blow against a Frankfurt team packed with international talent, from experienced Dutch goalkeeper Marleen Wissink to defender Steffi Jones, midfielder Pia Wunderlich plus striker Birgit Prinz.
Cup win
Like Arsenal, Frankfurt have a perfect record after four league games and on Monday, in front of Akers, overcame SC Freiburg 3-0 in the German Cup second round. Wunderlich, Prinz and Sandra Smisek were on target, but striker Sandra Albertz missed out with a back injury and Jones was also absent with knee trouble, though she is expected to play at Underhill. However, Renate Lingor has picked up a thigh problem and could miss the match.
