Arsenal kick off the Women’s Super League 2025/26 season at the Emirates Stadium against debutants London City Lionesses, a side that has been heavily reinforced with summer signings. Meanwhile, Arsenal made headlines by breaking the women’s football transfer record at the time to sign Olivia Smith. In this match preview, we’ll cover everything you need to know ahead of Arsenal vs London City Lionesses, from predicted lineups and team news to how to watch the game live.

Arsenal vs. London City Lionesses: Team News & Possible Lineups

Arsenal Women vs London City Lionesses Lineups are derived from previous match days. We take into consideration how strong the opponents are, what players are injured and of course team news before the match.

Team News Arsenal

Head coach Renee Slegers on if everyone is fit: “Yes, apart from Leah Williamson”.

Leah Williamson will miss the start of the new WSL season with a knee injury. The defender sustained the problem in England’s win over Spain in last month’s European Championship final. She will be ‘out for a period of weeks’.

What the coach has to say

Head coach Renée Slegers and her team finished the pre-season with a 2-0 win over West Ham United. The manager evaluated after the game: “I think across pre-season so far, we’ve played against different things and that’s a decision we’ve made to prepare as well as possible for the different things that we’re going to face in the season. 

“I’m happy with the different tests that we have been facing, how the group wants to build every single day, wants to get better every day and we’re one step closer now to competitive games.”

Now they look ahead to the WSL 2025/26 opener against London City Lionesses: “It’s very special and pre-season is great because you can build something and you build up a feeling towards something as well and that’s getting closer now,” she said. “So I think we’re all looking forward to it now.”

Team News London City Lionesses

We expect to hear from head coach Jocelyn Prêcheur prior to the match. 

What the coach has to say

London City Lionesses took on sister club OL Lyonnes in pre-season and lost 3-1 to the French giants. A valuable experience for the WSL debuts. Head coach Jocelyn Prêcheur said “Their legacy in the women’s game makes this a real benchmark for where we are as a squad. It’s a valuable test, not just physically, but tactically and mentally”.

Arsenal vs. London City Lionesses Women Lineups

Potential Arsenal Women Lineups (updated prior to the match)

• Van Domselaar
• Fox
• Wubben-Moy
• Catley
• McCabe
• Little
• Caldentey
• Maanum
• Kelly
• Foord
• Russo

Potential London City Lionesses Lineups (updated prior to the match)

• Lete
• Pérez
• Kumagai
• Asllani
• Van de Donk
• Linari
• Parris
• Wilde
• Brown
• Goodwin
• Imuran

Arsenal vs. London City Lionesses: Previous Meetings & Stats

Arsenal and London City Lionesses have met three times before, twice in the Women’s FA Cup and once in the Women’s League Cup. The Gunners won all three encounters: 1–0 in 2022 thanks to a first-half strike from Vivianne Miedema; 4–0 in the 2024 League Cup with goals from Alessia Russo, Cloé Lacasse, and Kim Little; and most recently, a 2–0 victory in the Women’s FA Cup fifth round on February 9, 2025, courtesy of Stina Blackstenius and Laia Codina.

This season, London City Lionesses make their WSL debut and will be aiming for a strong start. The club has reinforced heavily, bringing in experienced players from top European clubs and the NWSL, including Alanna Kennedy, Katie Zelem, Daniëlle van de Donk, Jana Fernández, Elena Linari, and Nikita Parris.

Arsenal, meanwhile, have strengthened with the signing of Olivia Smith from Liverpool, which was a record-breaking transfer at the time, along with Taylor Hinds and Anneke Borbe. As Women’s Champions League winners, the Gunners have lofty ambitions this season, as they are determined to challenge on all four fronts.

Head-to-Head Streaks
	Wins	3
	No goals conceded	3
	No clean sheet	3

Frequently Asked Questions

Where can I watch Women’s Super League Arsenal vs. London City Lionesses?

You can watch the Women’s Super League match between Arsenal vs. London City Lionesses on BBC 1.

When was the last meeting between Arsenal vs. London City Lionesses?

The last meeting between Arsenal and London City Lionesses was on February 9^th 2025, in the Women’s FA Cup Fifth Round. Arsenal secured a 2-0 win with goals from Blackstenius and Laia Codina. 

What is Arsenal vs. London City Lionesses kick-off time?

Arsenal vs. London City Lionesses kicks off on Saturday, September 6, at 13:30 BST at Emirates Stadium.