Preview: Arsenal Women v West Ham United | Pre-Match Report | News

hammers pulling away from the drop

West Ham endured a difficult start to the season, losing their opening seven league games, one of which was a 5-1 defeat to us in the reverse fixture. But since brining in manager Rita Guarino in December, things have looked up for the Hammers.

The east London side came into the new year with just five points in the league, but have earned seven over their last five games as things begin to click under a new boss.

After a 2-1 win over relegation rivals Leicester City, the Hammers produced an outstanding late comeback to beat Brighton 3-2 despite having been 2-0 down in the 81st minute. Somewhat fittingly, this was the result to lift West Ham off the bottom of the league table.

Defeats to Everton in the league and Brighton in the FA Cup then threatened to dampen the mood in east London as Guarino saw her side lose back-to-back games for the first time in her tenure.

But with their fixture against Manchester United pushed back from last weekend to Wednesday night because of the Subway Women’s League Cup final, the Hammers used the extra days of rest to their advantage, and secured an impressive 0-0 draw with the Red Devils at the Chigwell Construction Stadium.

West Ham now travel to north London three points off the bottom of the WSL table, albeit with bottom side Leicester having played a game less.

what the managers say

Slegers: “We know what they can bring with really hard work. With all the play, with runs in behind, with dribbles. So we’ll have to be really disciplined when we defend. They got rewards for their hard work against United.

They kept spaces really small, they defended as a unit all together, so if they do that against us as well at the Emirates tomorrow then we’ll have to be prepared to break them down and they will not make it easy for us.”

Guarino: “Arsenal create a lot of chances, so it’s another game we need to be focused on defensively. We know how strong they are and how dangerous they can be.

We studied all the scenarios that they can play in. But in a way, nothing changes because in every shape, they are strong, so we need to be focused on what we need to do. I think about us.”

team news

Frida Maanum has been ill over the past week so is unlikely to feature in Saturday’s London derby. Leah Williamson is also a doubt after battling a hamstring issue since our 2-0 win over London City last weekend.

Aside from Frida and Leah, everyone else who was involved at the Copperjax Community Stadium last week is available once again to face the Hammers.

facts and stats

Renée Slegers could become the first manager in WSL history to avoid defeat in each of her first 16 home matches in charge; she is currently tied with Chelsea’s Sonia Bompastor with 15.

We have won 12 of our last 14 WSL games against West Ham United, including all seven games we’ve played at home, scoring at least twice in each of those victories.

West Ham have lost each of their last six London derbies, last winning one in April 2025 when they thrashed Crystal Palace 7-1 away from home.

Only Vivianne Miedema (71) and Jodie Taylor (84) have a better minutes per goal or assist rate for us in the WSL than Chloe Kelly (95 mins, seven goals and six assists), who has two goals and two assists across her last three league starts.

Since she joined the league in 2025, West Ham’s Shekiera Martinez has scored more WSL goals in London derbies than any other player (eight), including the German’s first away goal in the competition which came against us in March last year.

Beth Mead has only been directly involved in more WSL goals against Chelsea (14) than West Ham United (13 – five goals, eight assists); her eight assists against the Hammers are the joint-most any player has against a single opponent in the competition.

match officials

Phoebe Cross will take charge of Saturday’s London derby in what will be her tenth WSL game of the season.

Across nine league games so far this campaign, Cross has distributed 23 yellow cards and awarded three penalties, although all three spot kicks were awarded in her first two games of the campaign.

This will be the second time Cross has taken charge of one of our league matches this season; our paths last crossed at the King Power Stadium when she oversaw our 4-1 win over Leicester City in November.

Referee: Phoebe Cross
Assistant referees: Jon Ashworth-Sears, Phoebe Horner
Fourth official: Stacey Pearson

how to watch

We’ll be showing the game live on the Arsenal app and on Arsenal.com, so make sure to tune in from 11.55am to watch our clash with the Hammers!

Alternatively, a host of other broadcasters around the world are also showing the game live.