While the men's game will be celebrating the ever-iconic Third Round of the FA Cup this weekend, the Women's Super League returns as well after a winter break.

The first half of the season concluded with the title race at an incredibly delicate moment. Arsenal Women finished up in pole position, but at the start of December suffered their first defeat of the campaign to the team breathing down their necks - second-placed Manchester City Women.

It remains to be seen who will eventually clinch this season's crown, but heading into Christmas Day in first place is in itself an acknowledgement of how much Arsenal Women have improved since last season when they finished up in third.

Indeed, the Gunners have already scored four more goals and picked up just ten points less than they managed throughout the whole of 2017/18, and England star Jordan Nobbs credits the uplift in performance to manager Joe Montemurro. The Australian gaffer came in midway through last season and it appears his methods are now taking full effect on the side.

Speaking to Football FanCast, Nobbs said; "He came in and he gave us this energy, this very simple foundation to work off and then the freedom within that. I think he understands the role of a footballer very well. Not just on the pitch, you need to know when your team need a break.

"I think he’s been phenomenal coming into this club, developing us and developing me as a player. Obviously the girls have really grabbed onto that and performed very well on the pitch but I think overall you need someone driving you in the right direction and he’s most definitely been that guy."

Click here to check out Football FanCast's full interview with the Arsenal Women midfielder ahead of the return of the WSL.

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