By Alice de Koster-Kitto (3/10/2025)
Above: a previous meeting between Arsenal and City. Photo: Arsenal website.
Arsenal head to the Joie Stadium this Saturday, where improvement will be top of mind as they take on Manchester City. The match follows a lackluster start to the season for the European champions, and their intent is to gain points and return to form, to restore their dreams of the title.
Head-to-Head history
The last two times Arsenal faced Manchester City, it was City’s game for the taking. A 1-2 defeat at home was a significant knock for the Gunners in the final stage of the Women’s League Cup, but overall, the two sides’ history is fairly even.
“This is one competition, and we’re very proud of what we have achieved, but very humbled and we want to do this consistently,” Arsenal head coach Renée Slegers reflected on success last season, “What we do now moving forward is to make sure that everyone stays sharp and invested. You have to keep evolving as well”, she added.
It was only in the past two trips to the Joie that Arsenal have been able to rewrite their history with the stadium, having not won a single match there between 2017-2024.
There is no real dominant side to this meeting historically, so a prediction is difficult. However, Chelsea’s draw with Manchester United has set up an electrifying match for the other half of the top four; one that could very well be an indicator of who will take charge in the title race.
Current form
Current form suggests it may be City who take home the points this round.
“[I look at it] game by game. [I’m] very disappointed, with the points we lost the last two games, we’re not happy with that,” Slegers reflected on her team’s recent drop in form. “But now we look forward, and every game you play for Arsenal, when you represent Arsenal, then you have to win and win every game” she added.
Slegers herself has faced Andree Jeglertz several times, calling him a “great guy, and a good coach”, who she is thoroughly impressed by.
The opening four games of the WSL have not been kind to the Gunners. A 1-1 draw with Aston Villa saw a streak of home wins come to an end and saw them drop to fourth on the ladder, with eight points. Although they are two places behind their opponents, there is only one point difference, with the hosts sitting on nine, and a neck-in-neck goal difference.
Slegers reflected on the recent draws, saying “with Arsenal, you want to go for the full points. If we don’t, there will be disappointment.”
A win for Arsenal could very easily see them make their way back into the top three.
Team News
Leah Williamson is still unavailable for selection, making for a makeshift Arsenal defence. All other players are currently available, with Katie Reid currently being the choice replacement, over Lotte Wubben-Moy.
Difference Makers
The absence of vice captain Leah Williamson has seen Katie Reid take the reins of Arsenal’s defence. The natural attacking threat of Manchester City will require an impenetrable back line if the Gunners want to hold their own and take home the points.
“We are still the same. We focus on ourselves. We look forward to the competition, but mostly we look forward to the game tomorrow”
All eyes will be on Chloe Kelly this match. The forward signed a permanent contract with Arsenal in the summer, after a loan stint with the club last season. Kelly’s development in this time has been astonishing, and the fire that comes with facing her past team, at her old home ground, could be exactly what Arsenal needs to break down the City side and get the goals they desperately need.
Although Kelly has been mostly used as a substitute so far this season, her impact has been significant, and pulled together an often uncertain Arsenal squad. Slegers was asked what Kelly will bring to the clash:
“I think she will find the right levels, I think thats what special with Chloe, she has that fire inside her, which she uses in the right way, it creates so much for herself and her team, and that will be no different for tomorrow.”
Although recent results haven’t represented the powerhouse reputation Arsenal have built, Slegers and her team are taking it match-by-match, and have not given up their title hopes.
“I feel like we have had a good week with the players. Every game is important in the league because every opposition delivers different problems for us and we have to deliver consistently.”
Arsenal will take on Manchester City at the Joie Stadium on Saturday at 12pm UK time.
Follow Impetus on social media –
Twitter (X): @impetusfootball TikTok: @impetusfootball
Instagram: @impetusfootball
impetusfootball.org 