Arsenal vs. West Ham United Women – WSL match preview | OneFootball

With momentum firmly on their side, Arsenal Women welcome West Ham United to Meadow Park in the Women’s Super League on Sunday evening, aiming to sustain their race for a Champions League place for next season.

Arsenal’s resurgence under Renée Slegers has seen them climb to third place, 10 points behind Chelsea, but their recent league form has been imperious, winning seven of their last eight and coming off the back of a 5-0 dismantling of Tottenham Hotspur. Their attacking fluidity has returned, their defensive resolve has sharpened, and they will see this fixture as another opportunity to apply pressure on others in the race.

West Ham, however, have shown signs of resilience in recent weeks. Though they sit eighth in the table, all four of their league victories this season have come at home, underlining their inconsistency on the road. They will need to summon their best performance to pose a threat to Arsenal’s superiority, having beaten the Gunners only once in their 12 WSL meetings.

Head-to-head record

Arsenal’s dominance in this fixture is well established. 10 wins in 12 meetings underlines the gulf between the two sides historically, with the most recent encounter in October 2024 ending in a 2-0 victory for the Gunners.

That match was Renée Slegers’ first in charge as interim manager, and her tactical evolution since then has made Arsenal an even more formidable opponent.

Key battles and tactical outlook

Arsenal have been devastating going forward in recent games, with their positional rotations and quick transitional play proving too much for their opponents.

Beth Mead’s expected return to the squad will provide another attacking dimension, while Stina Blackstenius and Alessia Russo continue to pose a dual threat in and out of possession.

West Ham’s key weapon will be Viviane Asseyi, the French forward who has netted five goals in her last eight appearances. She is their primary outlet in transition, and her ability to exploit space behind Arsenal’s high defensive line could be a decisive factor.

However, West Ham’s defensive structure will be severely tested. Arsenal’s intelligent movement in the final third, width provided by their full-backs, and clinical finishing make them one of the league’s most dangerous attacking sides. West Ham will need midfield solidity and defensive discipline to avoid being overwhelmed early.

Team news

Renée Slegers has confirmed that, aside from Lotte Wubben-Moy, Arsenal have a fully fit squad to choose from. The return of key players, including Beth Mead, will provide crucial depth.

Where to watch

The game kicks off at 5:30 pm GMT and will be broadcast live on Sky Sports Main Event, Premier League, and Sky Sports Football. Subscribers can stream the game via Sky Go.

Prediction

West Ham have the individual quality to make life difficult for Arsenal, but their away record, coupled with the Gunners’ current form and attacking firepower, suggests another home victory is the likely outcome.