Chelsea have a full-back problem, Toone lifts Manchester United after exodus and Leicester learn a harsh WSL lesson
When Arsenal’s Vivianne Miedema wrongfooted Jess Carter and slotted in Arsenal’s first goal against Chelsea on Sunday the problem that haunted the reigning champions at the end of last season was evident at the start of the new one. Injury to the superb Maren Mjelde in March left Chelsea light at the back, not in numbers but in experience. Carter and Niamh Charles shared right-back duties during the run-in and did well but Mjelde’s absence ruptured things. Where Jonna Andersson’s weaknesses had been papered over by the strengths of Mjelde, Millie Bright and Magda Eriksson alongside her, now both flanks were weakened. It was expected Emma Hayes would add to her squad to plug the holes but their sole defensive recruit was the Dutch youngster Aniek Nouwen. After her backline struggled to contain Arsenal in the 3-2 defeat at the Emirates, Hayes said: “It’s not that we didn’t target players, we just didn’t get the ones that we wanted.” It is rare Hayes does not get who she wants, but it could prove costly. As Arsenal showed, against the best Chelsea will struggle. SW
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