Emma Hayes doubts there may be a lot to be taught from Arsenal’s 5-1 demolition job of Lyon earlier this season forward of Chelsea’s conflict with the European champions.
The Gunners laid down a marker within the Champions League final October with a shocking win over a facet which have gained the competitors in six of the final seven seasons, together with final yr.
Lyon gained a measure of revenge on the Emirates Stadium in December to complete runners-up of their group behind Arsenal, with the French facet’s reward a quarter-final conflict in opposition to Chelsea, which you’ll comply with reside updates from on SkySports.com and the Sky Sports activities App on Wednesday night time.
The groups met in a pre-season pleasant in August, the place Chelsea squandered a two-goal lead to attract 2-2 earlier than dropping on penalties, and can go face to face within the first leg on the Groupama Stadium with Lyon a a lot stronger prospect with quite a few massive names again in motion after accidents.
Emma Hayes’ Chelsea face Lyon on Wednesday night time
Requested whether or not there was something Chelsea may take from Arsenal’s win earlier within the season, Hayes replied: “It was an outstanding efficiency from Arsenal, however we additionally noticed Lyon go to Arsenal and win 1-0.
“We all know that Lyon are a prime facet, earlier on within the season they had been lacking loads of gamers, that is not the case now, they’ve loads of their skilled gamers again.
“There are actually issues from Arsenal’s efficiency that night time that reminded us of a few of the issues that we repeated within the pre-season recreation in opposition to Lyon.
Hayes was happy to see Kim Kardashian’s son, Saint, carrying a Katie McCabe shirt and says it is encouraging to see extra individuals getting concerned with the ladies’s recreation
“However I believe it is a a lot completely different recreation and Lyon are at a a lot completely different stage than they had been earlier on within the season.”
Each Chelsea and Lyon sit atop their respective home divisions and plenty of anticipate a showdown between two in-form groups could also be a nip-and-tuck affair.
Hayes added: “Each groups might be working one another out, significantly within the first half. I believe each ties might be very completely different.
“I do not know what it may seem like, what I do know is we have ready the most effective we are able to and we’re completely prepared.”
Chelsea’s next five fixtures
Lyon (A) – Champions League – Wednesday, March 22, 5.45pm
Man Metropolis (A) – WSL – Sunday March 26, 12.40pm
Lyon (H) – Champions League – Thursday March 30, 8pm
Aston Villa (A) – WSL – Sunday April 2, 6.45pm
Aston Villa (A) – FA Cup – Sunday April 16, kick off time TBC
