In our very first Friday night kick-off at Emirates Stadium, Arsenal Women host Brighton & Hove Albion in the Barclays Women’s Super League.
After an unlucky draw last weekend away to Manchester United, our Gunners will be determined to translate a string of good performances into three points this evening.
LAST TIME AROUND
We put five goals past the Seagulls on the last day of the 23/24 WSL season. Alessia Russo, Frida Maanum and Laia Codina were all on the scoresheet, alongside one final Arsenal goal for Vivianne Miedema.
It was another decisive win in the reverse fixture at Broadfield Stadium, with Stina Blackstenius, Frida Maanum and Caitlin Foord making it 3-0 to the Gunners.
facts and stats
- We have won all 12 of our WSL fixtures against Brighton and Hove Albion by an aggregate score of 44-2
- Brighton’s four wins from six in 2024/25 mean they are just one victory away from matching their entire total last season (W5 D4 L13). This is the Seagulls’ best-ever start to a Women’s Super League campaign
- Our Gunners are without a win in the last three league games at Emirates Stadium, drawing twice and losing once. The only time we have gone longer without a win on home soil was between May and October 2014
- Beth Mead has been hugely prolific against Brighton over the years, with seven goals and five assists in the WSL
- Our number 9’s last 14 league goals have come at home – the longest such streak in Women’s Super League history.
- No player has scored more goals in the WSL against their former teams than Brighton’s Nikita Parris. The former Gunner has hit nine goals against her old sides, level with Ellen White
- Of the seven WSL games we’ve played on a Friday, we have won four, drawn two and only lost one. That defeat came at the hands of Chelsea at Stamford Bridge last season.
SUNNY START FOR THE SEAGULLS
For a side that has flirted with relegation across the last two seasons, Brighton’s 24/25 campaign has been nothing short of remarkable. With a new manager and a series of new faces on the pitch, the Seagulls are currently sitting in third in the WSL table with four wins from their six opening matches.
Their only defeat came at the hands of Manchester City back in September, with Bunny Shaw bagging the only goal of the game.
Two additions to watch out for are Kiko Seike and ex-Gunner, Nikita Parris. The pair have already racked up three goals each so far this season, with former Chelsea midfielder Fran Kirby not far behind on two.
Our young star Michelle Agyemang has been thriving on the south coast since she joined on loan in September, scoring her first WSL goal in a 4-2 win over Aston Villa. Agyemang will not be available to line up against us on Friday.
WHAT THE MANAGERS SAY
Renee on Brighton: “We have a big focus on ourselves and belief in ourselves. We know we have areas to work on but we see ourselves as a top team. Of course, Brighton have been doing really well and recruited top players so we respect them as an opponent, but we try to see what we can bring to the game tomorrow.
“Every team will have strengths and weaknesses and Brighton will have that tomorrow as well.”
Vidosic on us: “I think it’s going to be a very good game between two strong teams. We’re looking forward to playing at the Emirates in what is hopefully a big crowd.
“That’s a challenge for the girls but one I think they will enjoy. We’re really looking forward to it and we think we can go there and get a result.”
TEAM NEWS
In a boost to the squad, Renee Slegers confirmed in her pre-match press conference that Lotte Wubben-Moy and Laura Wienroither returned to training this week.
Victoria Pelova continues her recovery from an ACL injury and Amanda Ilestedt remains on maternity leave, but no further squad absences have been reported
match officials
Referee: Amy Fearn
Assistant referees: Callum Parke and Ella Broad
Fourth official: Richard Watkins
how to watch
With tickets still available, it’s not too late to join us in N5 for the fixture.
All the action kicks off at 7pm, with live coverage worldwide* on the Barclays WSL Youtube channel.
