Barclays Women’s Super League football returns to Emirates Stadium, where we host Leicester City at 7pm on Wednesday.
Due to our UEFA Women’s Champions League progress and previous fixture postponements, we now find ourselves with three games in hand on all three teams above us in the WSL.
Three points over the Foxes would see us climb above Manchester United to third and within touching distance of second-placed Chelsea, while still trailing Manchester City by eight points.
ON THE BRINK
Leicester aren’t mathematically relegated yet, but their chances of survival are looking slim as they currently sit bottom of the WSL and trail 11th-placed West Ham United by seven points.
Losing to us on Wednesday would succumb the Foxes to a 2026/27 season in the Championship, while a draw would just keep their hopes alive on goal difference.
They began the season with Amandine Miquel in charge, but she was replaced by Rick Passmoor early on. Despite winning his first game in charge with a 1-0 victory over Liverpool, he’s been unable to turn their fortunes around.
Since then, Leicester have won just once in the league – a 1-0 success at home to London City Lionesses – and are currently on an eight-game losing streak.
This season’s earlier meeting between us at King Power Stadium ended in a 4-1 victory away from home thanks to goals from Alessia Russo, Stina Blackstenius (who got a brace) and a Sari Kees own goal.
WHAT THE MANAGERS SAY
Slegers: “We are always strong, and that’s, again, the strength of our squad, the power of our togetherness, the different qualities and the different tools that we have in the squad. So we have to start well, we have to finish well, and we have to look at what Leicester is going to do.
“It’s a midweek game for them as well. They don’t do much of this, so let’s see how they manage, we won’t know until tomorrow. So we plan for scenarios, and again, I think that’s been a super strength of ours, how we start and finish games.” – Read every word of Renée’s pre-Leicester press conference.
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Every word of Renée’s pre-Leicester presser
Passmoor: “Everybody is working together in the direction we wish for. Can we see that through and ensure we keep a positive mentality together?”
“Behind the scenes there are not many players that have been in this situation before so we need to remain united and focused on what we can achieve.
“There are always different headlines. Can we write a different story in these final three games?”
TEAM NEWS
There are no fresh team news concerns for us following our 2-1 win over Lyon. Chloe Kelly is making steps in her recovery but this game comes to soon for her.
As for Leicester, late calls will be made on the availability of Chantelle Swaby, Rachel Williams and Emma Jansson.
FACTS AND STATS
We have won each of our nine WSL games against Leicester, our best 100%-win rate over an opponent in the competition (8/8 vs Doncaster Rovers Belles).
We are unbeaten in each of our last 12 WSL games (W9 D3), last having a longer run without defeat in the same league campaign in 2013 (13 games).
We have scored 96 goals in 35 league games under Renée and the Dutchwoman could be the second quickest manager to see her team score 100 WSL goals, behind Joe Montemurro (35 games) and ahead of Jonas Eidevall (37 games).
Alessia Russo has recorded 10 goal involvements in just six WSL starts against Leicester (7 goals, 3 assists) and could score in three consecutive appearances in the top-flight for the first time since January 2025 (6 in a row).
Smilla Holmberg has three assists across her two WSL starts and could become only the second teenager in the competition’s history to assist in three consecutive appearances after Georgia Stanway in May 2018.
MATCH OFFICIALS
Lisa Benn has been appointed to take charge of Wednesday’s game, with David Middleton and Jon Ashworth-Sears her assistants, while Alice Parker will be the fourth official.
Benn has seen over five WSL fixtures this season, handing out 13 yellow cards and one red. She was last involved in one of our games for September’s 1-1 draw at home to Aston Villa.
Referee: Lisa Benn
Assistant Referees: David Middleton and Jon Ashworth-Sears
Fourth Official: Alice Parker
HOW TO WATCH
In the UK, this match will be shown live on Sky Sports. Elsewhere in the world, see which broadcasters are showing the game live.
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How to watch Arsenal Women v Leicester City
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