Chelsea and Arsenal meet at Stamford Bridge in the Women’s Super League on Sunday, with a 4.30pm BST kick-off, in a fixture that brings together two unbeaten sides with ambitions of competing for the title.
Neither team arrives in full flow. Both won 1-0 in Europe in midweek, results that were underwhelming enough to leave the impression that neither has yet hit their straps this season. Chelsea go into the game in the slightly better domestic form, with two wins from three league matches. Arsenal have drawn twice and have scored only twice in three league games, and were fortunate to come away from their fixture against Manchester United with a point. A meeting with a supposed title rival could be the inspiration either side needs to kick on: victory would be a significant boost for the winners and a corresponding blow to the losers.
For Melvine Malard, the occasion carries particular weight. The France forward is preparing for her first London derby, having moved to Chelsea in a big-money transfer, and arrives at Stamford Bridge in a period she describes as one of the happiest of her life. A wedding in June and a Ballon d’Or nomination have added to a year that has already brought a major change of club.
Asked what keeps her smiling, Malard said: “Goals. Seriously though, it’s seeing the kids, the families, my family, in the stands. It is crazy. I love my life, I love my job, I’m happy with my wife and everything is good. I smile because of those things, because I’m happy.”
Malard is rarely seen without a grin, and the personality behind it is said to connect her quickly with teammates. She has also set out her ambition to become a legend at Chelsea under Bompastor, with the forward described as an “Island girl” whose journey has now brought her to one of the biggest fixtures in the English game.