Arsenal women face Chelsea in ‘biggest club game’ in British women’s football history

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Arsenal Women are set to host Chelsea in the Champions League quarter-final first leg at Arsenal Stadium on Tuesday evening, with manager Renee Slegers describing it as potentially “one of the biggest club games in the history of British women’s football.”

The defending Champions League holders enter the crucial tie in excellent form, having secured nine consecutive victories across all competitions. Meanwhile, Chelsea’s recent struggles continued with a draw against London City Lionesses on Sunday, dropping them to third in the WSL table.

The Blues now sit just two points ahead of Arsenal, though Sonia Bompastor’s side have played two more games. This represents a significant shift in the London rivalry, with Chelsea facing the prospect of missing out on the WSL title for the first time since 2019.

Key absences and returns

Arsenal will be without captain Leah Williamson, who remains sidelined with a hamstring injury. The club also faces uncertainty over three key players who competed in the Asian Cup – Steph Catley, Caitlin Foord, and Kyra Cooney-Cross arrived in London on Monday and will undergo assessment before any decision on their availability.

Long-term absentees Manu Zinsberger, Katie Reid, and Michelle Agyemang continue their recovery from ACL injuries. However, Arsenal receive a boost with Frida Maanum returning from illness.

Chelsea in transition period

The visitors are navigating a period of significant upheaval, with key departures including the recent exit of Guro Reiten to the NWSL. Star striker Sam Kerr and defender Millie Bright are also set to leave at season’s end, while the departure of legendary manager Emma Hayes continues to impact the club’s stability.

According to Arseblog, Head of Women’s Football Paul Green also left Chelsea earlier this year, removing another foundational figure from the Hayes era.

Despite these challenges, Bompastor’s tactical switch to a back-three formation has shown mixed results, and Chelsea demonstrated their big-game mentality by winning the Subway Cup just over a week ago.

Tactical battle ahead

When the sides met at Stamford Bridge in February, Arsenal dominated the midfield battle after Chelsea’s five-at-the-back system reduced their numbers in central areas. Spanish midfielder Mariona Caldentey was particularly influential, continuing her excellent form in European competition.

The first leg at Arsenal Stadium kicks off at 8pm on Tuesday evening and will be broadcast live on Disney+ in the UK. The return leg at Stamford Bridge follows eight days later, with both teams knowing this tie could define their respective seasons.