City v Arsenal: Opta preview
City’s clashes with Arsenal are known for seeing the best players in the Barclays Women’s Super League battle it out for three points and bragging rights.
And the data also reflects a tough affair.
So, ahead of Sunday’s clash at the Etihad, with kick-off set for 16:30 (UK) and tickets for the game still available here,we’ve picked out some of data provider Opta’s most eye-catching stats that we could see unfold live…
GOALS GALORE
When you have two of the best teams in the country and some of the world’s best attacking talent hungry to score, it comes as no surprise that our previous clashes with the Gunners have provided goals aplenty.
In our last nine WSL home clashes with Arsenal, City have won six, drawn one and lost two.
And in those encounters, there has been 21 goals for the Blues and 14 for the Gunners to see the games average 3.9 a game.
It’s certainly bang for your buck!
Video Player is loading.Play VideoPlaySkip backward 5 secondsSkip forward 10 secondsMuteCurrent Time 0:00/Duration 0:00Loaded: 0%Stream Type LIVESeek to live, currently behind liveLIVERemaining Time -0:001xPlayback RateChapters
Chapters
Descriptions
descriptions off, selected
Captions
captions settings, opens captions settings dialog
captions off, selected
Audio TrackPicture-in-PictureFullscreenCast to Chromecast
This is a modal window.
Beginning of dialog window. Escape will cancel and close the window.
TextColorWhiteBlackRedGreenBlueYellowMagentaCyanOpacityOpaqueSemi-TransparentText BackgroundColorBlackWhiteRedGreenBlueYellowMagentaCyanOpacityOpaqueSemi-TransparentTransparentCaption Area BackgroundColorBlackWhiteRedGreenBlueYellowMagentaCyanOpacityTransparentSemi-TransparentOpaqueFont Size50%75%100%125%150%175%200%300%400%Text Edge StyleNoneRaisedDepressedUniformDrop shadowFont FamilyProportional Sans-SerifMonospace Sans-SerifProportional SerifMonospace SerifCasualScriptSmall CapsResetDoneClose Modal Dialog
End of dialog window.
Close Modal Dialog
This is a modal window. This modal can be closed by pressing the Escape key or activating the close button.
Logo
Watch video for free with a Cityzens account
Register Sign in
Loading your video
EVEN STEVEN
Across our 24 WSL clashes with Arsenal in the last decade, City have won 11, drawn two and lost 11.
A win for either side on Sunday would tip the scale.
ARTISTE
Lauren Hemp continues to carve out chances for the Blues.
The England international has created nine changes after a ball carry of over five metres.
She’s just as influential in front of goal against the Gunners. Hemp has four City goals against Arsenal, our most prolific scorer against Renee Slegers’ outfit.
But we aren’t surprised to see the numbers say our winger has many tools in her locker.
Video Player is loading.Play VideoPlaySkip backward 5 secondsSkip forward 10 secondsMuteCurrent Time 0:00/Duration 0:00Loaded: 0%Stream Type LIVESeek to live, currently behind liveLIVERemaining Time -0:001xPlayback RateChapters
Chapters
Descriptions
descriptions off, selected
Captions
captions settings, opens captions settings dialog
captions off, selected
Audio TrackPicture-in-PictureFullscreenCast to Chromecast
This is a modal window.
This video is restricted from playing on your current domain
Error Code: PLAYER_ERR_DOMAIN_RESTRICTED Session ID: 2026-10-02:6adb589f5be234b320f05f9ePlayer Element ID: js-premium-player-853a45de-54d8-44c3-a2cb-d023d0c9afc3 OK Close Modal Dialog
Beginning of dialog window. Escape will cancel and close the window.
TextColorWhiteBlackRedGreenBlueYellowMagentaCyanOpacityOpaqueSemi-TransparentText BackgroundColorBlackWhiteRedGreenBlueYellowMagentaCyanOpacityOpaqueSemi-TransparentTransparentCaption Area BackgroundColorBlackWhiteRedGreenBlueYellowMagentaCyanOpacityTransparentSemi-TransparentOpaqueFont Size50%75%100%125%150%175%200%300%400%Text Edge StyleNoneRaisedDepressedUniformDrop shadowFont FamilyProportional Sans-SerifMonospace Sans-SerifProportional SerifMonospace SerifCasualScriptSmall CapsResetDoneClose Modal Dialog
End of dialog window.
Close Modal Dialog
This is a modal window. This modal can be closed by pressing the Escape key or activating the close button.
ONE TO WATCH
Arsenal’s Stina Blackstenius has scored (four) or assisted (two) in each of her last five WSL appearances against City, the joint-longest streak against us in the competition (alongside Lee Geum-Min).
She is also the only player to score three winning goals against Manchester City in the league.
It would come as no surprise that the Sweden international could pose a threat again this weekend.
200 UP
Our skipper Greenwood could become just the 10th player in WSL history to mark a double century in the competition.
Video Player is loading.Play VideoPlaySkip backward 5 secondsSkip forward 10 secondsMuteCurrent Time 0:00/Duration 0:00Loaded: 0%Stream Type LIVESeek to live, currently behind liveLIVERemaining Time -0:001xPlayback RateChapters
Chapters
Descriptions
descriptions off, selected
Captions
captions settings, opens captions settings dialog
captions off, selected
Audio TrackPicture-in-PictureFullscreenCast to Chromecast
This is a modal window.
Beginning of dialog window. Escape will cancel and close the window.
TextColorWhiteBlackRedGreenBlueYellowMagentaCyanOpacityOpaqueSemi-TransparentText BackgroundColorBlackWhiteRedGreenBlueYellowMagentaCyanOpacityOpaqueSemi-TransparentTransparentCaption Area BackgroundColorBlackWhiteRedGreenBlueYellowMagentaCyanOpacityTransparentSemi-TransparentOpaqueFont Size50%75%100%125%150%175%200%300%400%Text Edge StyleNoneRaisedDepressedUniformDrop shadowFont FamilyProportional Sans-SerifMonospace Sans-SerifProportional SerifMonospace SerifCasualScriptSmall CapsResetDoneClose Modal Dialog
End of dialog window.
Close Modal Dialog
This is a modal window. This modal can be closed by pressing the Escape key or activating the close button.
Logo
Watch video for free with a Cityzens account
Register Sign in
Loading your video
In the WSL, the England international has represented Liverpool and Manchester United, with her largest stint of appearances as a Blue.
If the skipper features against Arsenal, it will mark her 200th in the top-flight and her 116th with City.
Only Hemp and Steph Houghton have more league caps for the Club.
DEAD BALL SPECIALISTS
City recorded more set-piece goals in 2025/26 than any other team.
And we’ve continued that same trend in the latest campaign.
City have four set play goals, the most of any WSL side.
Arsenal, on the other hand, are yet to find the back of the net from a set piece.
ON THE BALL
Set pieces aren’t the only area in which City are leading the charge.
Jeglertz’s side have recorded more passes per match than any other team with 646.8. Arsenal are third in the rankings with 562.5.
As a result, we also have the highest passing accuracy with an impressive 89.6% success rate and overall possession average of 68.2%.
Watch both of our Etihad Stadium games for £20!
City’s 2026/27 Barclays Women’s Super League clashes with Arsenal and Manchester United will take place at the Etihad Stadium.
The Blues are set to host the Gunners on Sunday 4 October at 16:30 (UK), with United travelling to the Etihad on 12/13/14 February 2027.
City are Arsenal were locked in a thrilling title battle towards the end of the 2025/26 season, with Andrée Jeglertz’s side eventually sealing top spot with a game to spare.
Another blockbuster encounter beckons at the Etihad Stadium in early October, before we then face United there four months later.
City fans will have fond memories from the Manchester derby at the Etihad last season, with the Blues cruising to a 3-0 win thanks to goals from Rebecca Knaak, Khadija ‘Bunny’ Shaw and Lauren Hemp.
Collage featuring Manchester City football players and fans, promoting 'Etihad Pass' with info on ticket prices for adults from £20 and under-18s from £7, including 1 ticket for 2 games against Arsenal and Manchester City at Etihad Stadium.