Alex Scott believes it is good news for the women’s game that the league is so unpredictable as five teams battle it out for the title.

The Gunners, currently second on goal difference behind surprise leaders Sunderland, clash with Manchester City Women – who are also in the hunt for the crown – on Sunday.

Last year’s championship race in the Women’s Super League went down to the final day, with Liverpool emerging from third place to leapfrog Chelsea and Birmingham – and Arsenal’s experienced full-back thinks the competition could be even more intense this time.

“No-one would have expected, at the start of the season, to see Sunderland sitting at the top of the league with us,” said Scott. “From the fans’ point of view, it’s great that things have become less predictable.

“And, for the players, it means you can’t stay in your comfort zone, just turn up on Sunday and stroll around the park. This is going to be a really tough game for us and a big three points.

“City have been on a good run of form since the World Cup. If they keep winning, they’re definitely in with a shout and I’m sure they’ll remember what happened with Liverpool last season.

“I think every game is a cup final and that’s what makes it so exciting. Of course, actual cup finals are great but winning the league is what proves you’re the best team throughout the season.

“When we came in at half-time [in our recent game] against Notts County 1-0 down we realised that could potentially lose us the title – we knew we had to go out and get three points and we did.

“There are still a lot of big clashes to come – we’ve got to play Chelsea soon, for instance – so points can potentially be dropped and there are certainly four or five teams that can still win it.”

Arsenal have lost just one league game so far this season – a 3-1 defeat at home to Liverpool last month in the immediate aftermath of the Women’s World Cup.

But Pedro Martinez Losa’s squad, which incorporated three new arrivals during the World Cup break, have won every one of their fixtures in both the league and the Continental Cup since then.

“When we [England] had the break for the World Cup, Arsenal were still training, so I think when we came back we only had one training session together,” added Scott, a member of the squad that achieved bronze medals in Canada.

“It’s hard when you have a team that hasn’t trained together and maybe that showed [against Liverpool]. But we’ve got a good mix in our squad and we’ve been in good form of late.

“There’s definitely been more of an atmosphere at games [since the World Cup] because now the crowd know most of the players’ names instead of just one or two.

“You can see the effect it’s had from the number of autographs we’re being asked to sign at half-time!”

Sunday’s game at Meadow Park, Borehamwood, kicks off at 2pm and tickets are available at the gate on the day, priced at £6 (adults) and £3 (concessions).