Emily Fox will miss Arsenal Women's Super League clash against Manchester United due to USWNT commitments – but Canadian Jayde Riviere is available.
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Fox to play for USWNT in Gold CupWill miss Arsenal's WSL game with Man UtdUtd's Riviere will feature before playing for CanadaGettyWHAT HAPPENED?
Arsenal Women boss Jonas Eidevall has confirmed right-back Fox will be available for Saturday's FA Cup clash with Manchester City but not for the League Cup trip to London City on February 14, nor the crunch Women's Super League clash at home to United on February 17. This is because the United States Women's National Soccer Team are set to play in the CONCACAF Gold Cup and those called up for the Stars and Stripes must travel to the US-based tournament following this weekend's games. While Fox will not feature for the Gunners, however, Red Devils and Canada defender Jayde Riviere will head to the competition after the encounter at the Emirates Stadium.
AdvertisementGettyWHAT JONAS EIDEVALL SAID
He said ahead of Arsenal's FA Cup match against Manchester City on Sunday: "What’s been said about the US players is that they’re all going to be treated the same. They’ve been requested to travel in accordance with the FIFA regulations, which would be after our game against Manchester City. That’s what’s going to happen with Emily Fox and what we think is going to happen with the other US players as well."
Meanwhile, United boss Marc Skinner thinks it is "sensible" to allow Riviere to leave after the Arsenal game. "I didn't have any conversation with (Canada national manager) Bev [Priestman], but I think it makes sense to release [the Canadian players] after that game [on February 17]. I think that is the sensible thing for player, club and country. When Jayde goes, hopefully she has a great tournament too. Good conclusion all round because we get Jayde for the Arsenal game too," he said.
@GettyTHE BIGGER PICTURE
Fox and Riviere, among others, are taking part in the inaugural Gold Cup, which runs from February 20-March 10 and is made up of 12 teams from The Americas, including USA, Canada, Mexico, Brazil, and more. That means some teams in the WSL, including Arsenal and United, will be without some key players during an important stretch of the season – and they will just have to try and manage the best they can.
WHAT NEXT?
The USWNT get their Gold Cup campaign underway on February 20 when they will face a CONCACAF Prelims 1 winner, before taking on Argentina and Mexico on February 23 and 26 respectively. Canada, who have Costa Rica, Paraguay and a CONCACAF Prelims 2 winner in their group, begin their campaign on February 22. After the group stages their is a knockout system to eventually determine the winner.