CAPTAIN'S NOTES

Hey everyone!

It’s been a long time since we played a home game so we’re really looking forward to being back on our own turf this weekend. We know it’s going to be a big one! Games against Arsenal always are.

Last time we played them, it was the Women’s FA Cup semi-final, which was a bit tasty! We know we have to be at the top of our game to beat a very good side.

We’re in good form though. Once we came back off international break, we talked about the month ahead and the big games coming up before Christmas.

We’re still growing as a team, learning and getting better week by week. We were really happy after the Champions League win in Sweden against Göteborg. Although we were disappointed with the way we started the game, credit to the team: we came back to turn it around by playing the way we wanted to play – and in tough conditions.

Of course, when you’re playing in the Champions League, you’re facing very good teams. To have conceded the goal we did was frustrating but we’ll learn from it on the training pitch, making sure we sharpen up.

In every game, you have to be ready from the first minute and now, we’ll know what to expect for another tough game against them next Wednesday.

Credit to the girls though: we caused them a lot of problems and with the chances we had, we probably should have won by a bigger margin – but ultimately, we got a win and two away goals to take back to Manchester.

Sometimes, when we get into the final third, we get a little bit excited in front of goal so we have to learn to be patient and draw the opposition out. There’s so much quality up top – pace, dribbling ability and finishing – so we know the goals will come if we stick to the process.

Speaking of goals, I’d like to congratulate Georgia Stanway on scoring her 50^th goal for the Club. She was actually wearing my spare boot so I’ll take the credit for it… but in all seriousness, Georgia is the future of the Club. She’s been here a long time and she’s such a good girl on and off the pitch. I was really proud of her but I know there’s much more to come. I believe she can be one of the best players in the country – if not Europe. Well done, G!

It was right we enjoyed the win in midweek but now it’s back to business – we go again on Sunday. We need to keep our high standards. Of course, we want to win every game we play in and for me, I don’t mind how we do it, as long as we get those three points!

Come on, City!

Steph Houghton

Q&A WITH → GEMMA BONNER

Our super centre-back reflects on a memorable win
over the Gunners and shares her thoughts
on City's incredible squad depth...

Gemma, you have fond memories of playing against Arsenal... You recently told us your all-time favourite City game was a 2-0 win in the 2018/19 season, which was also just before Christmas. What do you remember of that game?

Yeah, I remember that game. We put in a really good performance that day. Obviously, it was a big game going into it and both teams were in good form. Arsenal were top of the league at the time.

I don't think anybody expected us to play as well as we did. We put in a good performance - very controlled - and we came out with a positive result.

*

You mentioned the importance of the timing of that win with it being just before Christmas. Why is it important and how would it feel to repeat that feat this season?

I think you always want to end the year on a good performance, especially before the Christmas break.

This year has probably been a bit inconsistent for us in the league in terms of our results and performances so for us, we want to keep momentum.

Going into the break, we've got a few massive games coming up and we need to make sure we're at the top end of the table and able to compete, especially with the teams we have around us.

If we can get a good result against Arsenal going into the Christmas break, then I think it will put us in a good position .

*

As a defender, when you know you're going to be coming up against some of the best forwards in the world, how do you feel ahead of those games? How do you prepare and does that challenge excite you?

Yeah, it's definitely exciting. I think as players, you want to be playing against the best teams and best players in the world.

You see the league now and we've got the best players in the world coming into play over in here in England. That's what we want: to be challenged week in, week out - no matter who you're playing against.

Arsenal have got world-class players all over the pitch. They're such a good team and I think we almost thrive on playing the best teams and the challenges that they face. It almost brings out another level in you so we're excited.

As a player, you want to prepare the same way you do every other game. It's so competitive in the league at the moment but yeah, it's definitely an exciting challenge.

*

As you mentioned, we're playing catch-up a little bit in the league at the moment going into this Arsenal game. Who do you think is under the most pressure - us or them?

I think probably both teams are under the same pressure. It's such a long season and there's still a long way to go. You can really see that teams are taking points off each other - maybe unexpectedly. That means you have to be up - no matter who you're playing against - because otherwise, you can come unstuck quite easily.

I think both teams are under no illusions that, although it's a big game, there are also a lot of big games against other teams as well. I don't think you can necessarily write other teams off.

Both teams will be going out looking to win but for us, especially, we definitely want to get the three points.

*

How do you feel the squad have adapted to Gareth Taylor's style of play?

It's taken a bit of time. I think you can see that from early on in the season to now, we're growing as a group together. Naturally, it was always going to take time with so many different players coming in and new management and new ways of playing.

Ultimately, we want to dominate the ball and be positive in possession, playing good football and we've got players here with unbelievable ability, which allows us to do that.

For us, it's about getting consistency. We've got it in parts but doing it for longer spells will help us going forward.

*

You mentioned about the new signings. It seems the competition for places has never been higher...?

Yeah, throughout the squad this year, we've got the depth and it's shown, especially in the past couple of games. In comparison to previous seasons, the squad is huge and we've also got young players coming through. You've got the likes of Esme Morgan and Jess Park coming through and they have really come on. Even though they're still young, they've really matured in their performances this year. You can really see that.

No matter who you starts or who comes off the bench, it doesn't make a difference in terms of the rhythm of the team. That's probably the biggest thing this year in terms of the depth and the quality that we've got - that if changes are made to freshen up or if we need a spark in a game to come on from the bench, then we've got that.