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It’s just over 15 minutes to go before kick-off – let’s remind ourselves of the Women’s Super League Standings after 10 games. Stating the obvious, fourth is not where Arsenal hoped to be; out of the Women’s Champions League spots as it stands. But a long way to go!
Ruby Mace was a defensive colossus for Everton last Sunday – and, of course, the 22-year-old is a former Arsenal player. Safe to say she’ll be motivated this afternoon.
Arsenal have the upper hand in this fixture: Everton haven’t beaten the Gunners in the past 22 WSL games.
Everton’s Brian Sørensen insists “the future is bright” after they ended Chelsea’s 19-month unbeaten WSL result – and that he’s “positive” before today’s home game.
“I am very happy with where we are in terms of staff,” said the manager. “The future is bright – maybe even more than it was in August … In the beginning, there was pressure because we really wanted to [win at Goodison Park]. I said to the girls: when we win it because they are doing amazing and when we lose it is my fault because I haven’t set us up right; to take the pressure off of them.
He added: “That paid off and the girls were excellent. They didn’t want to lose that [Chelsea] game, that’s for sure! If we can do the same against Arsenal, that puts us in a good position.
“I’m positive going in to the Arsenal game. We know it is going to be a tough game against a good team.”
One Arsenal and England player who won’t be involved today is Chloe Kelly. She has a minor ligament injury, but she did a fantastic interview with the Guardian’s Rebecca Nicholson this month. Well worth reading.
“I went on to the pitch and my legs were just like jelly,” she recalls. It wasn’t until she tore her anterior cruciate ligament in 2021 that her mindset began to shift. “Before my ACL, I was definitely more of a nervous player. Having the injury allowed me to think, what am I nervous for? I’ve gone through the worst situation and I’ve had to do my rehab for that. So what is fazing me?”
Leah Williamson is on the bench for Arsenal, where she’s been for the past two matches. The defender hasn’t played any minutes since winning the Euro 2025 final as captain of the Lionesses. She’ll be itching to get on to the pitch this afternoon.
The Teams
Alessia Russo makes her 100th WSL appearance as she starts up front for the visitors. Perhaps more importantly, Kim Little returns to the starting XI – her guile has been missed at times.
Everton welcome back Maz Pacheco, who is on the bench after an injury. But it’s the same XI that saw off Chelsea, as you might expect!
Everton: Brosnan, Kitagawa, Fernández, Mace, Ishikawa, Wheeler, Hayashi, Momiki, Payne, Vignola, Gago.
Subs: Ramsey, Hobson, Van Gool, Ladd, Robinson, Galli, Snoeijs, Holmgaard, Pacheco.
Arsenal: Borbe, Fox, Wubben-Moy, Catley, McCabe, Little, Mariona, Cooney-Cross, Mead, Foord, Russo.
Subs: Liddiard, Williamson, Codina, Hinds, Harwood, Pelova, Smith, Blackstenius.
Preamble
Everton host Arsenal on the back of the outstanding result of the WSL season so far. Brian Sørensen’s side ended Chelsea’s 34-game unbeaten league run – which had dated back to May 2024 – with a hard-earned 1-0 victory last Sunday. In theory, it was good news for Arsenal who have serious ground to make up if they’re to mount a title challenge (though it was even better news for Manchester City, currently six points clear the top).
Arsenal’s frustrations are brought to you by the letter D: they have drawn four of their 10 WSL games this season. Their failure to turn their possession into clearcut chances is the root of the problem, although Renée Slegers’ team are on a three-game winning streak, albeit two of those coming in the Women’s Champions League.
Everton showed against Chelsea that they know how to play against the bigger teams: a solid defence with dangerous players on the counterattack. They conceded 30 shots on goal against the defending WSL champions but, crucially, kept a clean sheet. Stats to make Arsenal wary, even with the firepower in their ranks. Kick-off as at midday GMT – please do join us!
