Arsenal Women begin their 2025/26 Women’s Super League (WSL) campaign with a clash against newly promoted London City Lionesses on Saturday.
Arsenal Women finished second in the WSL title race last season, 12 points behind champions Chelsea.
London City Lionesses won the Women’s Super League 2 in 2024/25 to qualify for the top flight for the first time in their history.
Arsenal Women Return to Action After Winning Women’s Champions League
Chelsea were the most dominant team in the WSL last season, amassing a record 60 points from 22 matches. However, in Europe, Arsenal came out on top, beating Barcelona 1-0 in the final, thanks to Stina Blackstenius’ strike. It marked their first European triumph since 2009.
Renee Slegers, who joined the club in January 2025, will oversee her first full season this term. After the Gunners’ heroics in Europe last season, fans will expect a WSL title-winning run this time around. Arsenal Women are 2/1 with football betting sites to win the top-flight title.
For the next generation ❤️
Some very special guests from @AFCCommunity were the first to speak to Alessia after signing her new Arsenal contract 🥹
— Arsenal Women (@ArsenalWFC) September 5, 2025
Arsenal have brought Olivia Smith, Taylor Hinds, and Anneke Borbe to the club while making Chloe Kelly’s Arsenal stay permanent. Club legend Lia Walti has been the most notable departure. She has joined Juventus after seven years with Arsenal.
Arsenal’s rivals for the 2025/26 WSL opener, London City Lionesses had a rather busy summer transfer window. They have signed 16 players, permanently, in preparation of their first top-flight campaign. Jana Fernandez, Nikita Parris, Katie Zelem, and Alanna Kennedy are some of the most noteworthy arrivals.
Newly promoted teams have gone back down to the second division in the last couple of seasons. After owner Michele Lang’s heavy investment over the summer, London City will hope to break the streak this season.
Arsenal Women vs London City Lionesses – Match Details
⚽Teams: Arsenal Women vs London City Lionesses
🗓️Date: Saturday, September 6, 2025
🏆 Competition: Women’s Super League – Matchday 1
🟥Ref: Kirsty Dowle
⌚KO: 1:30 PM BST
📺Where to Watch: BBC One, BBC Two Wales, iPlayer, BBC Sport Website
🏟️Stadium: Emirates Stadium
Arsenal Women vs London City Lionesses – Stats and Head-to-Head
- Arsenal Women and London City Lionesses have met 5 times – Arsenal won all 5 games
- Arsenal have scored 16 goals against London City without conceding
- Biggest win: Arsenal Women 5-0 London City Lionesses (Continental Cup)
- London City Lionesses were established in 2019 after splitting with Millwall Lionesses
- Lionesses finished the WSL 2 on 43 points, only 2 points ahead of runners-up Birmingham City
- London City Lionesses lost 3-1 to Lyon in their final friendly before WSL
- Arsenal won 3 of their last 5 WSL games last season, losing the remaining 2 matches
- Arsenal Women’s top goalscorer in 2024/25 – Alessia Russo (20 goals all competitions)
- London City Lionesses top goalscorer in 2024/25 – Isobel Goodwin (16 goals in second division)
- Arsenal have are unbeaten in their last 27 games against newly promoted teams – 24 wins and 3 draws
Arsenal Women vs London City Lionesses – Head-to-Head
The Gunners boast a perfect record against London City Lionesses, winning all five matches against them. They scored 14 goals against them in their first four meetings without conceding even a single goal.
| Category | Total | Arsenal Women (W) | London City Lionesses Women (W) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Matches | 5 | 5 | 0 |
| Meadow Park (Home) | 2 | 2 | 0 |
| Away Stadium | 3 | 3 | 0 |
| ENG FA Women’s Cup | 2 | 2 | 0 |
| ENG Continental Cup | 3 | 3 | 0 |
Arsenal Women vs London City Lionesses Betting Odds – Main Markets
Arsenal Women have a stellar record against newly promoted teams. They have not lost a single match in their last 27 meetings against them over the last 11 years.
Pricing them at 3/10, UK bookmakers are backing them to keep the streak going against London City Lionesses. The visitors, meanwhile, are 9/1 with betting sites to secure a win at the Emirates Stadium.
London City Lionesses have yet to score against Arsenal. However, oddsmakers are backing both teams to score at 4/5.
Match Odds
- Arsenal Women – 3/10
- Draw – 5/1
- London City Lionesses – 9/1
Both Teams To Score
- Yes – 4/5
- No – 11/10
Arsenal Women vs London City Lionesses Prediction and Best Bet
Arsenal Women shook the world by winning the Champions League last season. They played with confidence against arguably the best women’s team in the world, got the goal and then defended diligently to see the game out.
Arsenal Women have seen a few players depart, but they have signed the right players to improve the squad. They will miss Leah Williamson in the opener, as she is recovering from a minor surgery. But the England captain’s absence should not keep them from getting maximum points on Saturday.
Lights. Camera. London City Lionesses.📸@BarclaysWSL pic.twitter.com/DC0AcWRDa1
— London City Lionesses (@LC_Lionesses) September 2, 2025
As for London City Lionesses, they have a solid team with plenty of potential. However, with so many players joining, it will take them a bit of time to start firing.
Our Prediction: Arsenal Women 3-1 London City Lionesses
The Gunners have yet to concede against London City. But with so much firepower added to their squad this summer, it will be a big surprise if the visitors do not end up scoring a goal or two. So, we are backing both teams to score on Saturday with Arsenal ultimately claiming the win.
BEST BET: Arsenal to Win and Both Teams to Score @ 6/4
