Arsenal and Chelsea Reshape Squads as New Women’s Super League Season Begins

London rivals Arsenal and Chelsea are preparing for the new Women’s Super League season following a notable shift in domestic and European fortunes. During the 2025–26 campaign, Arsenal finished second in the table ahead of Chelsea, marking the first time in seven years that the Gunners finished higher than their London counterparts.

Reshaped Squads and Divergent Expectations

Arsenal’s second-place finish in 2025–26 broke Chelsea’s six-year streak of league titles, which began after Arsenal last won the competition in the 2018–19 season. Manchester City won the title last season, but Arsenal added to their momentum by eliminating Chelsea in the quarter-finals of the UEFA Women’s Champions League.

Both clubs underwent substantial squad changes during the off-season. Arsenal brought in seven new arrivals, adding England midfielder Georgia Stanway, Spanish World Cup winner Ona Batlle, and Switzerland captain Geraldine Reuteler. However, they parted ways with key figures including Beth Mead and defender Katie McCabe.

Chelsea subsequently acquired McCabe on a free transfer and signed forward Melvine Malard from Manchester United. However, Chelsea lost forward Sam Kerr and defender Millie Bright, two central figures from their period of league dominance.

Title Ambitions and Early Fixtures

Arsenal manager Renee Slegers expressed confidence ahead of her side’s opening fixture against Brighton at Broadfield Stadium in Crawley. Slegers stated that “the WSL title is something we’re going after” as the team seeks to rectify past missteps. A 1–1 draw at Brighton in May officially ended Arsenal’s title pursuit last season following early-season dropped points.

In contrast, Chelsea manager Sonia Bompastor adopted a more cautious tone before her team’s opening match against Aston Villa. Bompastor noted that “Chelsea is in a transitional phase” as the squad adjusts to roster turnover. Data provider Opta assigned Chelsea a 39.9% probability of regaining the league title, a figure lower than their projection prior to the previous season. Bompastor dismissed the significance of computer projections, emphasizing that the league has grown increasingly competitive.

Emergence of London City Lionesses

A third London club, London City Lionesses, is also positioning itself to compete with the league’s established elite. Owned by Michelle Kang, London City finished sixth in their inaugural WSL campaign before committing to significant financial investment during the summer. The club signed Spanish midfielder Alexia Putellas and began their new league campaign with a victory over Manchester United.

Background

The Women’s Super League is the top tier of women’s professional football in England. Chelsea dominated the competition with six consecutive championships prior to the 2025–26 season, when Manchester City secured the title and Arsenal finished as runners-up.