Renée Slegers faces several major selection decisions when Arsenal Women travel to Chelsea on Sunday afternoon.
The Gunners remain unbeaten in the Women’s Super League, but successive draws against Crystal Palace and Manchester United have left little margin for error before one of the toughest fixtures of the season.
Chelsea host Arsenal at Stamford Bridge at 4.30pm BST, with the fixture confirmed as the fourth round of the 2026/27 WSL campaign.
Supporters can find the full Chelsea vs Arsenal Women TV channel and live-stream details ahead of Sunday’s game.
Slegers rotated heavily for Tuesday’s 1-0 Champions League victory over HB Køge, meaning several first-choice players should return.
Here is our predicted Arsenal Women XI against Chelsea.
Goalkeeper: Misa Rodríguez
Misa Rodríguez should return in goal after Anneke Borbe started the Champions League victory over HB Køge.
Misa has started all three WSL games this season, including the 1-1 draw with Manchester United last weekend.
Daphne van Domselaar remains unavailable as she continues recovering from her knee problem, with our Arsenal Women injury news tracker covering the latest timetable around her return.
There is little reason for Slegers to change her league goalkeeper for Stamford Bridge.
Defence: Fox, Williamson, Catley, Batlle
Emily Fox should return at right-back after being rested from the starting XI in Europe.
Her week has already included the announcement of a new Arsenal contract, and her experience will be important against Chelsea’s attacking quality.
Leah Williamson is one of the few players who started against both Manchester United and HB Køge. She should retain her place in central defence.
Alongside her, Steph Catley looks the safest choice while Élisa de Almeida’s fitness remains uncertain.
Ona Batlle should return at left-back after starting on the bench on Tuesday.
Slegers used Taylor Hinds against HB Køge, but Batlle has started each of Arsenal’s opening three league games.
Predicted defence: Fox, Williamson, Catley, Batlle.
Midfield: Stanway, Little, Mariona
This is where Slegers has considerable choice.
Georgia Stanway was rested from the starting XI against HB Køge after starting all three league games and should come straight back into midfield.
I would partner her with Kim Little.
Kyra Cooney-Cross has started two of Arsenal’s last three matches, but Chelsea represent a very different challenge to HB Køge.
Little’s press resistance, positional discipline and experience in these fixtures could be valuable if Chelsea try to control the middle of the pitch.
Ahead of them, Mariona Caldentey should operate as Arsenal’s most advanced midfielder.
She came off the bench to score the stoppage-time penalty against HB Køge and remains one of Arsenal’s most intelligent players between the lines.
Attack: Cerci, Russo, Smith
The biggest call comes on the right.
Selina Cerci has yet to establish herself as a regular starter, but her Champions League cameo strengthened her case considerably.
Cerci came from the bench against HB Køge and won the decisive late penalty that Mariona converted.
We have already looked at why Cerci has given Slegers a major Chelsea selection decision, and Sunday could be the moment to reward that impact with a start.
Her direct running could also suit this fixture better than Arsenal’s recent matches against deep defensive blocks.
Olivia Smith should start on the opposite side.
She has the pace and one-against-one ability Arsenal will need if Chelsea leave space during transitions.
That leaves Alessia Russo through the middle.
Slegers started Russo and Stina Blackstenius together against Manchester United, but the system struggled to produce enough clear chances despite Arsenal dominating large periods of the game.
Sky Sports’ confirmed Arsenal line-up against Manchester United showed just how aggressive that selection was.
Against Chelsea, returning Russo to a conventional centre-forward role with Mariona behind her would provide greater midfield control.
Blackstenius, Chloe Kelly and Lisa Baum would then give Slegers significant attacking options from the bench.
Arsenal Women predicted XI vs Chelsea
Formation: 4-2-3-1
Misa; Fox, Williamson, Catley, Batlle; Stanway, Little; Cerci, Mariona, Smith; Russo.
The boldest selection is Cerci.
Slegers could easily turn to Kelly or restore Baum, but Arsenal have scored only twice across their opening three WSL matches despite producing a high volume of attempts.
That lack of efficiency was one of the three Arsenal Women problems we identified ahead of Chelsea.
Cerci has offered something different when introduced.
Against a Chelsea side capable of punishing slow possession and turnovers, Arsenal may need more direct running rather than simply more control.
Sunday would be a major stage for Slegers to find out whether Cerci can provide it.
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