Preview: Manchester City v Arsenal Women

We travel to Etihad Stadium in a bid to get back to winning ways this weekend for Sunday’s 4.30pm kick-off against Manchester City.

Our Gunners will be hoping for a positive response following Wednesday’s 2-2 draw away to Paris FC in the UEFA Women’s Champions League.

City were also in midweek action, drawing 1-1 at home to Real Madrid on Thursday.

PICKING UP WHERE THEY LEFT OFF

Last season’s WSL champions have earned maximum points in the 2026/27 campaign so far, winning four matches out of four, scoring 12 goals and conceding four.

That run started with a 3-1 win at home to Birmingham City, before they beat Aston Villa 4-1 away, won 4-2 at home to Liverpool and earned a 1-0 success at Charlton Athletic.

It’s not been quite as straightforward in the Champions League, where City have drawn 2-2 with Bayern Munich and 1-1 with Real Madrid.

WHAT THE MANAGERS SAY

Slegers: “We always see opportunities, of course, but at the same time, I was really impressed with Real Madrid yesterday. They made it very hard for Manchester City, especially in the first half.

“But of course, they’re a really strong team with a lot of individual quality, and what they’ve shown is that late in games, they always stay in it and come back. We have to be super-focused and see the opportunity on Sunday.” - Read every word of Renée’s pre-Man City press conference.

Jeglertz: “I think it’s fantastic to go there and play those games. The atmosphere has been amazing, we have had good results, we can feel how special it is. It’s amazing to be part of that."

TEAM NEWS

A late call will be made on Steph Catley's availability after she returned to the training pitch on Friday following some back issues, but Chloe Kelly (hamstring) won't be in the squad. Daphne van Domselaar, Katie Reid and Michelle Agyemang remain our longer term absentees.

FACTS AND STATS

Arsenal vs Man City is one of only two WSL fixtures to see both teams win 10+ times, with us leading the head-to-head 12-11 (2 draws); only Chelsea vs Arsenal (32), Arsenal vs Liverpool (27) and Chelsea vs Liverpool (26) has been played more times in the competition.

Only Man City’s Lauren Hemp (9) has created more chances after a ball carry of 5+ metres than Lisa Baum (5) in the WSL this season, with that pair of attackers also recording the joint-most shot ending carries in the division (8 each – level with Lauren James).

Stina Blackstenius has scored (4 goals) or assisted (2 assists) in each of her last five WSL appearances against Manchester City, the joint-longest streak against the Citizens in the competition (also Lee Geum-Min); she is also the only player to score three winning goals against Manchester City in the WSL.

REF WATCH

Grace Lowe has been appointed to take charge of Sunday’s showdown, assisted by Georgia Ball and Jon Ashworth-Sears with Benjamin Speedie the Fourth Official.

Lowe has seen over two WSL matches so far this season, including City’s recent game at home to Liverpool. Her last Arsenal game was our 1-0 win at home to Everton in May.

Referee: Grace Lowe Assistant Referees: Georgia Ball and Jon Ashworth-Sears Fourth Official: Benjamin Speedie

MEMORABLE MATCHES

We’ve had a number of enjoyable trips to Manchester City in seasons gone by, scoring plenty of great goals in the process.

Ahead of this weekend’s clash at Etihad Stadium, we’ve rounded up four of our favourite away matches against City.

HOW TO WATCH

Our first ever trip to Etihad Stadium is being shown live on Sky Sports Main Event in the UK.

Elsewhere in the world, check out our how to watch article for the full list of broadcasters.