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Arsenal Women

Arsenal Women news

Kim Little Jule Brand Leah Williamson Arsenal Lyon Women composite

Arsenal suffer late heartbreak as European title defence ends

Arsenal's Women's Champions League title defence came to an end in Lyon on Saturday, as the eight-time winners exacted their revenge on the Gunners after losing to them at this stage last season. Buoyed by the returns of both Selma Bacha and Melchie Dumornay, OL raced into a 2-0 first half lead and though Alessia Russo did get Arsenal back level on aggregate, Jule Brand's late strike secured a 4-3 win for Lyon over the two legs that puts them into an incredible 12th UWCL final.

Leah Williamson Arsenal Women 2025-26

Leah Williamson signs new Arsenal deal

Arsenal have received a massive boost ahead of the new campaign with the news that Leah Williamson has officially committed her future to the club. The England captain, who has risen through the ranks to become the heartbeat of the Gunners’ defence, has put pen to paper on a new deal to extend her storied career in North London.

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Arsenal score SEVEN! Rotated Gunners run riot in WSL thrashing

Arsenal's rotated cast cruised to victory over Leicester on Wednesday, thrashing the Women's Super League's bottom side 7-0 to move into the Champions League places and increase the pressure on league leaders Manchester City. With two more games in hand, the Gunners are all-but-mathematically the only team that can still chase down the champions-elect, and goals from all over the pitch ensured that remained the case in a comfortable victory.

Leah Williamson Arsenal Women 2025-26

England captain Williamson set to renew expiring Arsenal contract

Arsenal icon Leah Williamson is set to sign a new contract at the club, extending her already 20-year stay with her childhood team. The Lionesses captain is one of the Gunners' most important players, but her current deal was set to expire in just a few weeks' time. According to a report, though, Arsenal are now on the verge of agreeing new terms with their star defender.

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Williamson a risk worth taking in Arsenal's UWCL charge

As Arsenal hosted Lyon in the first leg of their Women's Champions League semi-final, there was no shortage of bad news when it came to team news. Steph Catley hadn't recovered from a calf injury in time to participate, with Beth Mead also ruled out of the game due to personal reasons. Then, on the day, Chloe Kelly was absent due to a minor muscle issue. Fortunately, there was one huge returnee to cushion the various blows: Leah Williamson.

Beth Mead Katie McCabe Arsenal Women 2025-26

Man City pursuing deals for Arsenal duo Mead & McCabe

Beth Mead and Katie McCabe are both attracting interest from Manchester City as their respective Arsenal contracts prepare to come to an end, according to a report. Rumours of McCabe's departure have been rife for a while and now it appears she could be joined by her Gunners' team-mate at her next destination, in a move that would see Mead join long-time partner Vivianne Miedema in Manchester.

Olivia smith Arsenal Lyon composite

Smith comes up big as Arsenal take lead in UWCL semis

Arsenal will take a slender advantage into the second leg of their Champions League semi-final clash with Lyon, after the defending European champions beat the eight-time winners 2-1 in north London on Sunday. Jule Brand had given OL an early lead but two calamitous errors in the visitors' defence proved costly, as Ingrid Engen's own goal levelled the scores up to set the scene for Olivia Smith, who had been a livewire all afternoon, to win the game late on.

Steph Catley Beth Mead Arsenal Women split

Arsenal without Mead & Catley for UWCL semi-final

Arsenal will be without Beth Mead and Steph Catley for the first leg of their Women's Champions League semi-final against Lyon this weekend, with the latter's absence placing further focus on the fitness of the recently returned Leah Williamson. The England captain played her first minutes in over a month while on international duty last week, the timing of which could be potentially vital for the Gunners' European title defence.

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Arsenal ace Caldentey still has time to boost Ballon d'Or bid

When Arsenal stunned Barcelona to win the Women's Champions League last year, there were so many individuals who deserved to be singled out for praise. Be it the exceptional turnaround overseen by interim-turned-permanent coach Renee Slegers, the goal-scoring exploits of Alessia Russo or the timeless class of Kim Little in midfield, there were so many reasons for the success. It was hard, though, not to be drawn in particular to the impact of Mariona Caldentey.

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Ballon d'Or Feminin: Who will end Bonmati's dominance?

Aitana Bonmati has won each of the last three Ballons d'Or Feminin - but the accolade will go to someone else in 2026. Will it be two-time winner and fellow Barcelona star Alexia Putellas who reasserts herself as the best player in the women's game? Or could there be a new name on the honour roll when the Golden Ball is handed out in Paris in October?

Alexia Putellas Ona Batlle Barcelona Women split

Barca's Batlle nears Arsenal move as Putellas attracts WSL interest

Barcelona are reportedly 'close' to losing star defender Ona Batlle to Arsenal on a free transfer, with speculation surrounding the futures of two-time Ballon d'Or winner Alexia Putellas and key centre-back Mapi Leon also growing as the pair near the ends of their current contracts in Catalunya. London City Lionesses have shown interest in both, as the newly-promoted Women's Super League side look to make a splash in the summer transfer window.

Leah Williamson England Women 2026

Williamson injury update provided ahead of Lionesses' Iceland clash

England boss Sarina Wiegman has provided an update on the fitness of Lionesses captain Leah Williamson, who missed the win over Spain on Tuesday night. Wiegman was hopeful that the Arsenal star would be able to play a part in Saturday's clash with Iceland, as England continue their World Cup qualifying campaign, and the status of her availability has now been revisited ahead of that crucial game.

Alessia Russo Arsenal Women 2025-26

Russo beats fellow England & Arsenal star to WSL accolade

Lionesses star Alessia Russo has been named the Women's Super League Player of the Month for March, after a rampant run that saw the striker bag four goals and one assist in just three outings for Arsenal. Russo had plenty of competition for the award, including from one England and Gunners team-mate as well as Golden Boot front-runner Khadija Shaw, but she managed to come out on top as Arsenal scooped up two of the league's three monthly accolades.

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Wubben-Moy deserves Lionesses start in crucial Spain clash

Next week, at Wembley Stadium, the two best national teams in European women's football will meet once more as England, winners of the last two European Championship titles, welcome Spain, the reigning world champions. It'll be their sixth competitive encounter in less than four years and it again brings with it huge stakes as the two bid for the one automatic qualification spot from their group for next summer's World Cup. That England could be without their captain, Leah Williamson, then, is a huge blow.

Leah Williamson England Euro 2025

Williamson's availability for Lionesses vs Spain in real doubt

England could be without captain Leah Williamson next week for the huge World Cup qualifier against Spain at Wembley, after the Arsenal defender was again not involved for her club at the weekend. Williamson watched from the sidelines as the Gunners crashed out of the FA Cup, suffering a shock defeat to Brighton, and there is real doubt over whether she will be fit enough to join the Lionesses' camp this week as a result.

Arsenal Brighton Women FA Cup composite

Arsenal's FA Cup drought goes on as rotation proves costly

Arsenal crashed out of the Women's FA Cup on Sunday, suffering a shock 2-0 defeat at home to Brighton. The Gunners came into the game in flying form, winning 11 of their last 12 games, with that defeat coming last time out in a Champions League quarter-final second leg at Chelsea in midweek that didn't stop them progressing into the last four. But the Seagulls showed no fear, starting fast against the reigning European champions before making their chances count after the break, as goals from Madison Haley and Caitlin Hayes put them into the FA Cup semi-finals.

Chelsea FC v Arsenal FC - UEFA Women's Champions League 2025/26 Quarter-finals Second Leg

McCabe 'apologetic' over Thompson hair-pull

Arsenal manager Renee Slegers has confirmed she held private talks with Katie McCabe following the defender's controversial altercation with Chelsea winger Alyssa Thompson. The incident, which occurred during the Gunners' Women's Champions League quarter-final second leg on Wednesday, saw the Ireland international escape punishment from the referee and VAR.

Frequently asked questions

Chelsea were founded on March 10, 1905, following Gus Mears' acquisition of the Stamford Bridge in 1904. Several names were put up for consideration: Kensington FC, Stamford Bridge FC, and London FC. However, all these names were rejected and the name Chelsea F.C. was finally selected.

Chelsea are co-owned by an American consortium consisting of Todd Boehly, Mark Walter. Hansjorg Wyss, and Behdad Eghbali-led Clearlake Capital. Boehly, Walter, and Wyss each own a 12.8% stake in the club, while Clearlake Capital are the majority shareholder with a 61.5% stake.

Chelsea's stadium is known as the Stamford Bridge and has been the club's home venue ever since their inception in 1905. Interestingly, the Stamford Bridge was owned by a separate company after businessman Ken Bates bought the club in the 1980s, when they were on the verge of bankruptcy and stuck in the second division. In 1992, however, after a long-fought legal battle and a 'Save The Bridge' campaign from the fans, Chelsea regained ownership of the stadium.

The Stamford Bridge has a capacity of around 40,000.

Chelsea have won an impressive 32 trophies throughout their history, including two Champions League titles and six English top-flight titles.

Chelsea have won the English top flight on six occasions, with their most recent title coming at the end of the 2016-17 season.

Legendary defender Ron Harris holds the record for making the most appearances for Chelsea, featuring for the club in 795 games, ahead of Peter Bonetti and John Terry. The latter two are the only other players along with Harris to make over 700 appearances for the club.

Frank Lampard, arguably the greatest Chelsea player ever, is the club's leading goalscorer of all-time, netting the ball into the net 211 times in 648 games. The fact that he was a midfielder makes the feat all the more impressive.

Didier Drogba, John Terry, Eden Hazard, Claude Makelele, Arjen Robben, Petr Cech, Michael Ballack, and David Luiz are some of the most famous players to have represented Chelsea.

Jose Mourinho, Antonio Conte, Mauricio Pochettino, Thomas Tuchel, Carlo Ancelotti, and Maurizio Sarri are among the biggest managerial names to have been a part of Chelsea's eminent history.

Chelsea are called The Blues, which is a reference to the colour of their kit since the early 20th century.