Over 1,200 Arsenal fans will travel across the capital in the hope that Arsenal Women fail to replicate their sluggish performance in last season’s 2-1 loss to West Ham at the Chigwell Construction Stadium.

Viviane Asseyi and Hawa Cissoko scored for Rehanne Skinner’s side in a display that was emblematic of Jonas Eidevall’s failures to break down low blocks back in February.

Now, interim head coach Renee Slegers will take charge of her first Women’s Super League game since Eidevall’s resignation earlier this week, in what could be Arsenal’s final game under caretaker charge before a new manager is likely appointed in the international break.

Whilst Slegers has focused on simply steadying the ship after Eidevall’s departure, naming a settled side in a routine 4-1 Champions League win over Valerenga, the Dutchwoman could be a genuine contender to take permanent charge of the Gunners.

Slegers made one enforced change on Wednesday and Arsenal’s performance, despite a little more energy in attack, marked no significant separation from the Eidevall era. Defensive worries remained clear, but goals for Alessia Russo and Mariona Caldentey in particular were positives from a night where all at the Emirates breathed a sigh of relief.

Slegers’ main aim was first to get the players through a tough period and back on winning ways, but will the former Rosengard boss be tempted to stamp her own mark on the team as the Gunners travel to Dagenham? After all, some new ideas backed up with a stronger display could do no harm to her managerial credentials.

West Ham are winless in the WSL but will be buoyed by their recent success against Arsenal. Performances have been far from disastrous, a resolute display against Manchester City seeing the Irons losing 2-0, but Skinner’s side recovered to hold Everton to a draw. 

Braces for Emma Harries and Asseyi saw Portsmouth dispatched 6-1 in the League Cup earlier this month, but a turbulent summer window saw a number of key players departing. 

Three points can only take Arsenal as high as fifth in the WSL after mustering just one win in four, but having watched February’s defeat to the Irons as assistant manager, Slegers now has the opportunity to complete a successful interim period in a challenging week for Arsenal’s players and staff.