Following back-to-back Women’s Super League victories, Pedro Martinez Losa’s Arsenal Ladies, welcome newly-promoted and impressing, Sunderland AFC Ladies, to Meadow Lane on Sunday afternoon.

The Gunners head into the weekend’s encounter two points off early pacesetters Chelsea Ladies in the WSL Standings. Two league wins on the bounce has catapulted Losa’s side into second place after a disappointing opening evening to their WSL campaign, as they now look to catch London rivals, the Blues.

Last Sunday Arsenal faced arguably their sternest test of the season to date; as they visited Manchester City Women’s all new Academy Stadium. City, in their second year within the WSL, have sights set on league glory this season, as well as the Gunners, in an early season matchup of two WSL title challengers.

Chioma Ubogagu, Arsenal’s American winter signing, was making her first start for the club after substitute appearances in the Gunners previous two league fixtures, and she marked her first full debut with her second WSL goal for Losa’s side. Ubogagu’s first-half strike was enough to seal all three points in a 1-0 win for the North Londoners, as she built on her stunning late equaliser for Arsenal on the opening of their WSL campaign at Notts County Ladies.

The Gunners opposition this Sunday, Carlton Fairweather's Lady Black Cats, head south just one point behind Losa’s team after their second WSL win of the season last weekend. Newly-promoted Sunderland have made a promising start to life in the Women’s top-tier and have already defeated reigning champions, Liverpool Ladies, away from home.

Having defeated the Reds on the opening night of the 2015 WSL season, the Lady Mackems climbed in to third last time out, defeating early season strugglers, Bristol Academy, 2-1 at their Hetton Centre home. Angharad James put the visitors ahead in the first half, however second half strikes from Brooke Chaplen and star midfielder, Rachel Furness, turned the game for Fairweather sides, who are adjusting swiftly to life in the women’s top division.

Gunners boss Losa will continue to call-on defender and winter signing, Jemma Rose, at the heart of his defence on Sunday, and the former Bristol youngster spoke ahead of the game, praising her new Spanish manager; “I am really enjoying my time with Arsenal so far,” Rose said. “Pedro is a great manager and he wants us to get the ball down and play the right way and play attractive football, which is great. I am improving each day and with Pedro wanting us to play that way it means I get to work on that specific area of my game. I have never worked under a manger like Pedro before and I’m really enjoying it.”

The young centre-back is forming a formidable central defensive partnership with England international, Casey Stoney, for the Gunners, although after pulling out of the starting line-up last weekend, Stoney could be replaced by versatile youngster, Leah Williamson, for the visit of Sunderland.

Arsenal’s previous fixture at Manchester City was a third game within a week for Losa’s side, as the Spaniard rotated his team, particularly in the forward line. Top league scorer, Ubogagu, starred again on her first WSL start and will hope to keep her place in the North Londoners starting 11, whilst top scorer in all competitions, Danielle Carter, with three, could continue as one of five starting ever-presents this season, alongside defenders Rose, Alex Scott, Emma Mitchell and midfielder Vicky Losada.

For the Lady Black Cats, midfielder Furness, will be at the heart of a side that will aiming for a second away scalp already this campaign, and the Northern Ireland international has spoken on the importance of her Sunderland team enjoying their first season in the WSL; “When you grow up you just want to play against the best players and challenge yourself,” said Furness.

“Obviously Liverpool are the champions but I don’t think you can ever discount Arsenal as one of the best teams in the country. For me to have the opportunity to play teams like that every week is just a dream come true so playing Arsenal, who have a team full of internationals, is really exciting and we are all raring to go. They have brought in some players and maybe had a bit of a transition recently but once everyone is settled they will be strong.”

Furness should start alongside tricky winger, Kiera Ramshaw, within the Mackems midfield line, whilst top scorer, Chaplen, with two, and fellow forward Beth Mead, will look to cause the Gunners backline troubles and extend their goalscoring tallies for the season. Pacey striker, Mead, has already netted during the current WSL campaign, having been Sunderland’s top scorer for the past two seasons, scoring 59 goals in the process.

With Chelsea next up for Arsenal Ladies in the WSL, the North Londoners will be eager to maintain their current pursuit of the Blues this weekend, however, newly-promoted opposition, Sunderland Ladies, have settled quickly to WSL football and are proving a match for the league’s elite.