Chelsea vs. Arsenal, Women’s Super League: Preview, team news

On Jan 24, 2026

It’s back-to-back derbies for Chelsea Women this week as just after facing Manchester City in the Women’s League Cup semi-final, the Blues host Arsenal at Stamford Bridge in the Women’s Super League.

Last time, a full house gave us the energy to beat the Gunners by a slim margin. We can do it again today, but a sold-out house needs a good show every once in a while.

Date/Time: Saturday January 24, 2026, 12:30 GMT; 7:30 a.m. EST
Place: Stamford Bridge, SW6
Forecast: Sunny and windy

On television: BBC One (UK); none (USA); somewhere else
Streaming: BBC iPlayer (UK); ESPN+ (United States)

Chelsea team news: Manchester City looked and were unbeatable for several months after the opening match of the 2025-26 season at Stamford Bridge, where we secured a 2-1 victory against them in the Women’s Super League. Once again we put an end to their nonsense, with a 1-0 victory at the Academy Stadium taking us through to the Women’s League Cup final.

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Manager Sonia Bompastor was happy to announce that there are no new injuries in the squad, meaning that all players available from our previous outing can be involved today. This could also mean we are still waiting for the full recovery of Catarina Macario, Keira Walsh and Niamh Charles.

Arsenal team news: Unlike Chelsea, the Gunners were unable to survive the threat of a Mancunian side in the Women’s League Cup and handed Manchester United a place in the final. Don’t be surprised if they want blood today at the Bridge, especially as their last away win against the Blues was in 2018.

For this challenge at Stamford Bridge, head coach Renée Slegers will have defender Emily Fox back in her fold. However, defender Leah Williamson and striker Chloe Kelly will miss out through injury, while striker Olivia Smith will serve a suspension due to a double booking against United.

Previously: Guro Reiten’s late conversion is enough to earn us three points at Stamford Bridge.