Emma Hayes is out to make Stamford Bridge a fortress and silence Women’s Super League rivals Arsenal
Arsenal head to Stamford Bridge for a blockbuster clash under the Friday night lights which they can’t afford to lose if they are to stay in the Women’s Super League title race.
Three points separate the two sides in the table, with Arsenal in third and Chelsea top, level on points with Manchester City.
For Chelsea, the desire for revenge is in the air following their humiliating 4-1 loss to the Gunners at the Emirates.
Chelsea have never hosted Arsenal at Stamford Bridge before and are expecting more than 30,000 fans.
The bumper gate will include a healthy Arsenal away allocation of 6,000. The crowd and the atmosphere could be crucial in deciding the outcome. It took Arsenal a while to really find their rhythm when playing at the Emirates, despite fantastic attendances, but in recent games they have been able to draw on that loud home support.
Chelsea have struggled to get comparable numbers through the turnstiles at the Bridge and a lot of focus has been placed on this match as a statement of their intent on that front.