Arsenal FC Women: WSL preview
As the 2025/26 football season begins this weekend, Arsenal are hoping for another successful run in the Barclays Women Super League.
This is their second season under manager, Renée Slegers, who drives the spirit and mentality of the team. Following a tough few months for the north London side, Slegers was called upon to revive their spark: she did just that and more.
This summer plenty of new faces have made moves to Arsenal, these include: Chloe Kelly (loan move made permanent), Olivia Smith, Taylor Hinds and Anneke Borbe. They will also return to the new season with six UEFA Women’s EURO winners: Leah Williamson, Chloe Kelly and Alessia Russo, are a few who contributed outstanding performances this summer.
Arsenal’s opening game of the season is against WSL newcomers London City Lionesses at the Emirates on the 6th of September. They are looking to start their season with a dominance to carry through their fixtures.
Summary of last season
The previous campaign was one marked by high drama and heartache for Arsenal. The beginning of the 2024/25 season was tough for the Gunners.
Nonetheless, the squad displayed remarkable resilience, finishing strongly in the WSL and making significant strides in the Champions League. The squad were able to lift the Champions league trophy after a tight 1-0 win against Barcelona, but ultimately fell short of the WSL title, with Chelsea proving fierce rivals.
In January, new manager, Slegers began her campaign for Arsenal. She was able to have a massive positive impact on the squad, bringing the girls confidence and team spirit back, and building the club back up to their usual winning ways. They might not have won the league, but they took home a Champions League trophy.
Key players to watch
One player to watch this season is Daphne Van Domselaar. Van Domselaar signed for Arsenal in July 2024. Since then, she has played a crucial part in Arsenal’s squad. Her impact was clear in the Champions league final, where she carried her team over the line with a clean sheet to become Champions of Europe. Although fresh from injury, her performance was testament to her ability to take one for her team and echo success from the net.
Another player to keep a look out for this season is Kelly. The English international joined Arsenal on loan from Manchester City last season but officially signed for the North London club this summer, after her incredible EUROs performance. She became a crucial player in the final matches of the tournament, scoring the winning penalty, allowing the lionesses to becoming reigning European Champions. Her impact for Arsenal is no different. Linking up with Lionesses’ teammates, Russo and Beth Mead, she creatives goals, attacking play and encourages forward vision and ambition.
Predictions and Ambitions
The WSL is reaching new heights each season, strengthened by the increasing investment and ability of clubs. After just missing out on the league title last season, there is no doubt that Arsenal’s top ambition is to lift this trophy. Along with retaining their Champions League accolade, of course.
This goal is fully achievable for the Gunners this season. The talent in this squad has been proven by tenBallon d’Or nominations for the club this year. These include Van Domselaar for the Yashin Trophy, Slegers for Coach of the Year, Club of the Year and seven players in the running for the Women’s Ballon d’Or.
Already Slegers has an ambitious and strong squad behind her, so with new signings coming in to bolster the squad depth and provide fresh energy and visions, Arsenal could be a force to be reckoned with. Certainly, these players are capable of challenging top sides, such as Chelsea and Manchester United, to fulfil their goals of a league title, and other pieces of silverware.