Preview: Chelsea v Arsenal Women

A top-of-the-table clash in the Women’s Super League awaits our Gunners as we visit the reigning champions, Chelsea, for a 12.30pm kick off at Stamford Bridge.

We’re looking to keep up our fine form after reaching the semi-finals of the Subway League Cup and we head into the derby 13 games unbeaten in all competitions.

LAST TIME AROUND

When we faced the Blues at Emirates Stadium in October, the visitors left with all three points after early goals from Mayra Ramírez and Sandy Baltimore. Our Gunners fought back, with Caitlin Foord pulling one back just before the half-time whistle, but it wasn't enough to level the scoreline.

UNBEATEN BLUES

Chelsea have been in excellent form under new manager Sonia Bompastor and currently sit top of the Women’s Super League table with a seven-point cushion. The Blues boast an unbeaten record of 10 wins and one draw from their last 11 matches and their strength has been evident at both ends of the pitch, with 36 goals scored and just six goals conceded in the WSL.

Our hosts remain a powerhouse on home soil, racking up 40 wins from a possible 42 at home in the league since 2021.

WHAT THE MANAGERS SAY

Renee Slegers on the game: “Of course, we’re humble for the task. We know how good Chelsea are and that they’ve been on an impressive run of games, so very impressed with what they’ve been doing but what we want to do is just take this game and approach it as any other game”.

"The things we’ve been doing really well have been being composed and calm about any opposition that we’re going to play. We’re humble but also have a big belief in what we’re doing and we try to approach this game in the exact same way".

Sonia Bompastor on us: “They are in a really good run, really confident. It’ll be a big game on Sunday and good for us, you want to be involved in these types of games. We are really excited for Sunday”.

TEAM NEWS

In her pre-match press conference, Renée shared an update on the availability of Caitlin Foord and Lia Walti: “We chose not to have Foordy in the squad for Brighton. Wally was in the squad, felt something, she was assessed. All good, both are on the pitch today”.

FACTS AND STATS

Chelsea vs Arsenal is the most played fixture in Women’s Super League history with the Blues winning 12 of the previous 28 meetings and our Gunners picking up 10 wins (6 draws)
Only Toni Duggan has been directly involved in more WSL goals against Chelsea than our number 9, Beth Mead
Chelsea’s Aggie Beever-Jones has scored 11 goals across her last 10 WSL starts, netting in each of her last four
Chelsea have won 40 of their last 42 home games in the Women’s Super League (D1 L1), a run that started with a 3-0 victory against us in February 2021
Our Gunners will be looking to make it our sixth clean sheet in a row in the WSL