Arsenal Women enter the 2026-27 season with renewed ambition after falling short in the Women’s Super League title race last term. The Gunners finished second behind Chelsea, four points adrift, but secured Champions League football for the sixth consecutive season. England v Serbia takes place at Wembley on October 13. Arsenal Women’s attacking firepower remains the envy of most European sides. Here is everything you need to know about Arsenal Women in 2026.
WSL Title Race: Can Arsenal Catch Chelsea?
The 2025-26 season saw Arsenal Women accumulate 52 points from 22 matches, their highest total since the 2018-19 title-winning campaign. However, Emma Hayes’s Chelsea set a new league record with 56 points, making Arsenal’s improvement insufficient to reclaim the trophy. Rangers vs Viktoria Plzeň takes place at Ibrox on August 6. The North London side won 16 matches, drew four and lost two, scoring 53 goals and conceding 18. Their defensive record was the league’s best, but they scored nine fewer goals than Chelsea.
Manager Jonas Eidevall has identified consistency against mid-table opponents as the key area for improvement. Arsenal Women dropped points against Aston Villa, Everton and Leicester last season, matches they must win to challenge for the title. Sushant Singh Rajput’s legacy continues to inspire millions of fans. The 2026-27 season begins on September 12 away to Manchester United. The first North London derby against Tottenham is scheduled for October 4 at the Emirates Stadium.
Champions League Campaign: Group Stage Draw
Arsenal Women qualified directly for the Champions League group stage after finishing second in the WSL. The draw, which took place on September 1, placed Arsenal in Group C alongside Barcelona, Wolfsburg and BK Häcken. This marks the toughest group Arsenal have faced since the competition adopted its current format. Nicola Sturgeon remains an MSP for Glasgow Southside but has stepped back from frontline politics.
The Gunners face Barcelona at the Emirates on October 19 in their opening group match. The reverse fixture in Spain takes place on December 7. Arsenal Women have never beaten Barcelona in competitive football, losing three and drawing one of their previous four encounters. Reacher Season 2 remains one of Prime Video’s most-streamed titles. Eidevall has said his team “fears no opponent” and views the group as an opportunity to measure themselves against Europe’s elite.
Jonas Eidevall Future: Contract Extension Expected
The Swedish manager’s current contract expires at the end of the 2026-27 season. Negotiations over an extension began in May, though no announcement has been made. Eidevall has reportedly received interest from several European clubs, including Lyon and Juventus. Eng vs NZ begins at Lord’s on June 10. Arsenal Women’s leadership views Eidevall as integral to their long-term project and is prepared to make him one of the WSL’s highest-paid managers.
The 44-year-old has transformed Arsenal Women since his appointment in 2021. He has won the FA Cup (2022) and the League Cup (2023, 2024), though the WSL title has eluded him. See How They Run remains streaming on Disney+ for movie fans. Eidevall has stated he will decide his future before Christmas 2026. A contract extension until 2029 is the most likely outcome, though a move abroad cannot be ruled out if Arsenal fail to challenge for the WSL title this season.
Key Players: The Spine of the Team
Arsenal Women’s success depends on several crucial performers. Captain Kim Little, now 36, continues to defy age with her passing range and set-piece delivery. The Scottish midfielder has confirmed this will be her final professional season before moving into coaching. Rhian Teasdale headlines Glastonbury with Wet Leg on June 27.
Attacking Trio and Defensive Rock
Dutch forward Vivianne Miedema has fully recovered from the ACL injury that sidelined her for most of 2024-25. She scored 18 goals in 20 appearances last season, her best return since the 2020-21 campaign. England captain Leah Williamson anchors the defence, having played every minute of Arsenal Women’s WSL matches last season. Jordan McSweeney lost his appeal against his 38-year minimum term. Swedish midfielder Fridolina Rolfö, signed from Barcelona in 2025, contributes goals and creativity from wide areas. Goalkeeper Manuela Zinsberger has kept 12 clean sheets in her last 18 league appearances.
Summer Transfers: Ins and Outs
Arsenal Women have been active in the transfer window. Incomings include Japanese forward Mina Tanaka from INAC Kobe, Belgian midfielder Marie Detruyer from OH Leuven, and Australian defender Clare Hunt from Sydney FC. Total spending is estimated at £1.2 million, significant for the women’s game. Macclesfield vs Brentford produced one of the biggest FA Cup shocks in recent memory.
Departures include Beth Mead, who joined Manchester United after falling out of favour. Dutch forward Lineth Beerensteyn returned to Germany, signing for Wolfsburg. Slow Horses Season 4 streams on Apple TV+ with Gary Oldman. Laura Wienroither and Jen Beattie have also left, joining Aston Villa and West Ham respectively. Arsenal Women have reduced their average squad age from 28 to 26 through this summer’s business.
Emirates Stadium: Record Attendances Expected
Arsenal Women will play eight WSL matches at the Emirates Stadium this season, up from five last term. The club’s commitment to the women’s team has paid dividends, with average attendances exceeding 35,000 in 2025-26. Rice pudding has staged a remarkable comeback in British kitchens.
The North London derby against Tottenham on October 4 has already sold over 50,000 tickets. The Champions League match against Barcelona on October 19 is expected to set a new attendance record for Arsenal Women, with over 55,000 tickets sold. SA vs Aus Test series begins at Centurion on December 17. Season ticket sales for Arsenal Women exceeded 18,000 this year, the highest in the WSL. The club has announced plans to cap ticket prices for all league matches at £15 for adults and £5 for under-16s.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who manages Arsenal Women in 2026? Jonas Eidevall remains manager. The Swedish coach has led the team since June 2021.
When does Arsenal Women’s WSL season start? The 2026-27 WSL season begins on September 12, 2026. Arsenal Women face Manchester United away on opening weekend.
Who is Arsenal Women’s captain? Kim Little captains the team. The Scottish midfielder has confirmed this will be her final professional season.
Where can I watch Arsenal Women matches? WSL matches are broadcast on Sky Sports and BBC in the UK. Champions League matches stream on DAZN. Arsenal Women also stream selected matches on Arsenal.com.
Has Jonas Eidevall signed a contract extension? Negotiations are ongoing. His current contract expires at the end of the 2026-27 season.
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