Eidevall reckons Arsenal will face one of the best defensive WSL teams in their clash with Leicester

JONAS EIDEVALL was surprised Leicester axed boss Lydia Bedford.

The Arsenal chief reckons his Gunners will face one of the WSL’s best defensively organised sides despite the Foxes’ six-game winless run.

New manager Willie Kirk, will lead Leicester against the Gunners following his appointment after working as the Foxes women’s football director.

It was in December last year against Arsenal that Bedford oversaw her first game in charge of the WSL strugglers.

While the former England youth coach lost that match, she guided the team to four wins and a draw that saw them remain in the top tier at the expense of Birmingham.

But six losses on the bounce saw the Foxes part company with Bedford on Friday.

Eidevall, 39, said: “I was surprised to see they changed manager.

“From the outside, when you purely look at the results … I think we all know it’s a results-based business.

“Leicester were one of the better-coached teams in the league.

“They look very well structured. When we look at underlying numbers, it’s one of the best defensive teams in the league.”

Last term, Arsenal trounced the Foxes 4-0 and 5-0.

“Should they win again and Chelsea and Manchester United draw at Leigh Sports Village tonight, the Gunners will go top, two points clear.

The Gunners are resting star forward Vivianne Miedema this afternoon, with Eidevall explaining: “This was the best decision for both the player and the club.

“It’s never easy because all the games we are playing are tough.

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“But we always need to manage individuals in the long term and short term.”

Meanwhile, Alanna Kennedy is itching to return to action for Manchester City with the defender close to being fully fit.

The Australia international is yet to make an appearance for the Citizens as she continues her recovery from a shoulder injury.

And she could face a battle to reclaim her place in City’s back line with the club having conceded just once in their last four games across all competitions.

Kennedy, whose teammates visit Reading today, said: “It’s only a good thing for us to better ourselves with the competition.

“But I can’t wait to be back out there.

“It can be quite isolating at times, so it just makes you want to be at your best again.”

Matt Beard says Shanice van de Sanden is unlikely to make her first start for Liverpool until after their November 20 clash with Brighton.

The Holland star came on as a late sub during the Reds’ 2-1 loss to Man City last time out.

Reds boss Beard, whose aces take on Aston Villa later, said: “It’s going to be probably post-Brighton for Shanice starting games. 

“She has had two full weeks of training now. We’ll have another two weeks in this international break to really get her up to speed.”