Arsenal Women shift their focus back to the Women’s Super League (WSL) as they welcome Leicester City Women to the Emirates Stadium this Wednesday night.
How to Watch
If you aren’t one of the 45,000 fans expected at the Emirates Stadium this Wednesday night, there are plenty of ways to catch the action live from home. The midweek clash is a featured broadcast, meaning supporters in the UK and abroad have multiple viewing options.
UK TV and streaming coverage: In the United Kingdom, Sky Sports holds the exclusive rights to this fixture.
- TV Channels: The match will be broadcast live on Sky Sports Main Event, Sky Sports Premier League, and Sky Sports Mix.
- Kickoff & Build-up: While the game kicks off at 19:00 BST, the build-up begins an hour earlier at 18:00. This hour-long pre-match show will include tactical breakdowns, team news, and exclusive interviews from pitchside at the Emirates.
- Live Stream: Subscribers can stream the match via the Sky Go app or NOW TV
Recent Form
Arsenal Women: Arsenal Women form is quite inconsistent. They’ve dominated recently in the league, getting huge results against the likes of Tottenham Hotspur, West Ham and London City Lionesses. They are a clinical side, who will take their chances when given them and will press until they force a mistake or create an opportunity.
Against lower teams in the table, they often achieve high results, but they have been known to slip up. They had a 2-0 loss to Brighton, which saw them exit the Adobe Women’s FA Cup.
Leicester City Women: It has been a grueling campaign for Leicester City, and the numbers tell a bleak story: just two wins and three draws against 14 defeats.
While they’ve shown some defensive grit against mid-table opposition typically limiting the damage to a goal or two they’ve been dismantled by the league’s elite, often conceding between three and five goals in a single sitting. Currently languishing in the relegation zone with only nine points, they are chasing a 16-point West Ham side that is slowly pulling away.
With a brutal list of fixtures looming such as Arsenal (A), Chelsea (H), and Everton (A) the hill has become a mountain. Given their current form and the calibre of their next three opponents, a turnaround feels statistically improbable.
To survive, Leicester don’t just need a change in luck; they need a complete tactical overhaul and a string of upsets that their season so far suggests they aren’t equipped to deliver.
Ones to Watch
Olivia Smith (Arsenal Women): One to watch from Arsenal would be Olivia Smith. Since her high-profile move from Liverpool, she has quickly become a standout performer for the Gunners.
She is a clinical finisher from distance, already recording nine goals and three assists in all competitions this season. While she is right-footed, she’s comfortable on both feet, making her unpredictable and incredibly difficult for defenders to track.
Sam Tierney (Leicester City Women): One to watch from Leicester City would be Sam Tierney. She is the heartbeat of Leicester City as she provides the structural glue that allows the rest of the team to function.
Tierney consistently ranks among the top players for interceptions and blocks, making herself a key member of the Foxes’ backline. She is one of the longest-serving members of the current squad, providing leadership and reliability.
Injuries and Suspension
Arsenal Women: For Arsenal Women, both Steph Catley and Beth Mead will be unavailable for the fixture. Catley is suffering from a calf issue, while Beth Mead is dealing with personal issues. Chloe Kelly won’t be available she is making steps in her recovery from a knee injury.
Leicester City Women: Leicester City’s uphill battle is made even steeper by a growing injury list affecting several key pillars of the squad.
The defensive stability took a major hit during the international break: Emily van Egmond returned with a broken finger that required surgery to fit a protective plate, while goalkeeper Janina Leitzig is also sidelined with a hand injury.
While there is a glimmer of hope with Hannah Cain returning to the matchday setup, her impact will be limited; her minutes are being strictly managed to ensure a safe recovery from a long-term layoff.
Managers have their
Arsenal Women – Renee Sledgers: Arsenal Manager Renee Sledgers spoke on Leicester City as opponents, saying, “I think Leicester are fighting for their lives. We’ll see that mentality on the pitch tomorrow. We’ll have to be prepared for that. We know how they want to play their football. They’ll add a couple of percentages if that’s the context and the situation. We’ll have to be at our very best tomorrow. They’ll be fighting.”
Leicester City Women – Rick Passmoor: Ahead of a big test in the capital, the manager has spoken talking about morale in the squad, outside noise and the season so far during his pre match press conference.
“You have to make sure there is a high-performance mindset in the group and understand the pressure that comes with the territory,” the Manager continued.
“We need to focus on what our strengths are, and what we are good at, to ensure we continue to compete.
“It’s about dissecting that pressure and create a positive environment. We’ve got hard-working staff and players, so we need to enjoy these three games and work hard to change the narrative.
“Everybody thought we would be in this position, but we know ourselves we are a tight-knit group and we need to stay true to the processes to get us across the line.”
While history and current form suggest a comfortable night for the North Londoners, the beauty of the WSL lies in its unpredictability.
Leicester are a team fighting for survival, and as Renee Sledgers noted, a side with their backs against the wall can be a dangerous prospect. Whether the Foxes can change the narrative or the Gunners will continue their dominance in front of a 45,000-strong crowd remains to be seen.
