The end of the international break brings an early meeting for Chelsea and Arsenal in the FA Women’s Cup, the two WSL sides locking horns in the youthful stages of the fifth round, a place normally accustomed to watching the smaller, pluckier sides fall to the wayside.
Nevertheless, come Sunday the tournament will be without one of its biggest sides as the remaining teams are dwindled to eight when Chelsea host Arsenal at Kingsmeadow.
Arsenal head the fifth round against the soundtrack of nervous chatter about a dearth in clinical firepower and strikers’ instinct. They fell to a disappointing defeat to Manchester City in the league after being held to a goalless draw to West Ham, with Jonas Eidevall’s side subsequently dropping to fourth in the table.
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The concerning toothlessness from the Gunners was on display in January, when Arsenal hosted Chelsea in the WSL in the teams' first meeting this season, and the north London club succumbed to a dramatic late equaliser through Sam Kerr.
But while Chelsea managed to scrape together a point and flaunt more of the mettle which has come to define their season, Emma Hayes’ side won’t be frivolous enough to rest on their laurels heading into Sunday.
The Chelsea manager might, however, take comfort in the silverware touted home by her players on the international stage, not least Millie Bright and Lauren James laying siege to a second Arnold Clark Cup title, the latter being named player of the tournament for her devastating form on the right side of the Lionesses’ attack.
England manager dubbed James a "big, big talent" after her instrumental role in the Lionesses' title-defence.
And if James' eye-catching form on Wednesday in the first half of England’s 6-1 win over Belgium is anything to go by, Arsenal will have their work cut out for them in attempting to contain the 21-year-old, who registered her first senior England goal over the break.
A Sam Kerr hat-trick fired Chelsea into the fifth round of the FA Cup after their 3-2 win over Liverpool. Meanwhile, Arsenal's road to the fifth round was more routine as they thrashed Leeds Ladies 9-0 with little fanfare.
Sunday's match promises to be a more difficult encounter for both sides, particularly as Arsenal attempt to avenge last year's lacklustre semi-final loss to Chelsea. A toothless display saw Arsenal fall apart at the seams in front of a sold-out home crowd at Boreham Wood as the Blues absorbed early pressure before taking the glory in the second half with goals from Guro Reiten and Ji So-yun.
Chelsea will certainly be hoping for signs of deja vu. Kick-off to Arsenal is at 2:00pm on Sunday.
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