Arsenal

Manager Joe Montemurro brings a melting pot of influences to Arsenal’s pinball machine style of play. Australian-born Montemurro, whose family fled southern Italy after the Second World War, spent six months in Switzerland as a deep-lying midfield playmaker, retired at 28 and began studying the most iconic AC Milan, Dutch and South American sides. He worked in youth and men’s football Down Under before switching to the women’s game in 2014.

Pedigree Arsenal have won more trophies than any other English women’s club, including the league 15 times, the FA Cup 14 times and the Champions League once. The growth of Manchester City and Chelsea caused Arsenal’s dominance to wane, but under Montemurro they regained the title and are back in the Champions League after five years out.

Player to watch Rangy forward Vivianne Miedema (below right) is the PFA Player of the Year and Holland’s all-time leading goalscorer in either gender – at 23. Last season she hounded defences with her bite and menace in the area and her intelligent movement, scoring 31 times.

Signing of the summer It is frightening to consider what the dynamism of Holland’s Jill Roord (below left) could do for a midfield already boasting a World Cup finalist in Danielle van de Donk and PFA team of the year representatives in Kim Little and Lia Walti. Her Champions League experience – 18 goals in 28 appearances – adds another string to her bow. Aim this season? To defend their title while making a splash in the Champions League. Biggest hurdle Competing on all fronts for the first time in five years. Chelsea do not have the burden of the Champions League in a league – as their coach Emma Hayes pointed out – where the timing of fixtures is not always conducive to European success. Rivalling the quality of Champions League opposition is another, Arsenal’s losing 5-2 to Barcelona in pre-season. Predicted finish First.