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Arsenal remain the only British club to have ever won the Champions League, first doing so in 2007. Then, last season, after comeback knockout stages victories over both Real Madrid and Olympique Lyonnais Féminin, the Gunners collected a second European title; Stina Blackstenius the only scorer as they upset the odds to defeat Barcelona at Estádio José Alvalade in Lisbon.
Domestically, Arsenal's hopes of a first WSL title since 2019 have long been over, so are under pressure to continue their Champions League adventure. Chelsea, by contrast, have been England's dominant force for a while now, picking up six WSL titles in a row, but the one they want above all else is currently in the Gunners' possession. The second leg of this quarter-final takes place in eight nights time on April Fool's Day; the winners will face Lyon or Wolfsburg in the final four.
Arsenal vs Chelsea: Preview, Prediction & Lineups
What time does Arsenal vs Chelsea kick off?
Arsenal vs Chelsea kicks off on Tuesday 24 March at 20:00 (GMT).
- When is kick off? Tuesday 24 March 2026
- What time is kick off? 20:00 (GMT)
- Where is it played? Emirates Stadium
- Referee: Ionela Peşu (Romania).
Arsenal & Chelsea's Champions League results so far
Stage | Arsenal result | Chelsea result |
|---|---|---|
Matchday 1 | Arsenal 1-2 Lyon | Twente 1-1 Chelsea |
Matchday 2 | Benfica 0-2 Arsenal | Chelsea 4-0 Paris FC |
Matchday 3 | Bayern Munich 3-2 Arsenal | St. Pölten 0-6 Chelsea |
Matchday 4 | Arsenal 2-1 Real Madrid | Chelsea 1-1 Barcelona |
Matchday 5 | Arsenal 1-0 Twente | Chelsea 6-0 Roma |
Matchday 6 | OH Leuven 0-3 Arsenal | Wolfsburg 1-2 Chelsea |
League phase finish | 5th | 3rd |
First knockout round 1st leg | OH Leuven 0-4 Arsenal | N/A |
First knockout round 2nd leg | Arsenal 3-1 OH Leuven | N/A |
Arsenal vs Chelsea head-to-head record
- Arsenal Wins: 27. Draws: 7. Chelsea Wins: 23.
Arsenal vs Chelsea last five meetings
Date | Scoreline | Competition |
|---|---|---|
24 January 2026 | Chelsea 0-2 Arsenal | WSL |
8 November 2025 | Arsenal 1-1 Chelsea | WSL |
26 January 2025 | Chelsea 1-0 Arsenal | WSL |
12 October 2024 | Arsenal 1-2 Chelsea | WSL |
31 March 2024 | Arsenal 1-0 Chelsea (AET) | League Cup Final |
How to watch Arsenal vs Chelsea
Country | Broadcaster |
|---|---|
UK & Ireland | BBC2, BBC iPlayer & Disney+ |
USA | CBS Sports Network & Paramount+ |
Australia | Kayo Sports, ESPN2 & Disney+ |
Canada | OneSoccer |
Arsenal team news
Arsenal's Australian trio are now back. Steph Catley, Kyra Cooney-Cross and Caitlin Foord all helped the Matildas reach the AFC Asian Cup Final on home soil, albeit Joe Montemurro's team were heartbreakingly beaten 1-0 by Japan in Sydney on Saturday. Given the quick turnaround, and the travel from the literal other side of the world, none are likely feature in this first leg.
Elsewhere, goalkeeper Manuela Zinsberger and youngster Katie Reid remain sidelined, while England captain Leah Williamson is a doubt, having sat out Saturday's win over West Ham due to a hamstring issue. Frida Maanum also was not involved at the weekend, but is forecast to return following illness.
One guaranteed starter is Alessia Russo, who has 15 goals to her name this season, of which seven have come in the Champions League, including three across the two legs against Oud-Heverlee Leuven. Daphne van Domselaar, Katie McCabe, Emily Fox and Beth Mead could return having been rested.
Predicted Arsenal lineup vs Chelsea: van Domselaar; Fox, Wubben-Moy, Codina, McCabe; Little, Caldentey, Maanum; Smith, Blackstenius, Russo.
Chelsea team news
Sonia Bompastor too is set to be without returning Aussie duo Ellie Carpenter and Sam Kerr, while Niamh Charles, Nathalie Björn and Mayra Ramírez are all injured. Catarina Macario too will not be involved, as she is set to join NWSL side San Diego Wave for a reported fee of $300,000.
Elsewhere, with one England centre-back a doubt for Arsenal, her usual partner Millie Bright isn't expected to start either, having sat out the last six matches due to an ankle issue. Aggie Beever-Jones is also a doubt, after hobbling off during Saturday's underwhelming 1-1 draw with London City Lionesses at Hayes Lane.
Lucy Bronze, Naomi Girma, Keira Walsh, Lauren James and Sandy Baltimore all came off the bench in South London, so how many of that quintet will come into this XI? It's likely to be a fair few.
Predicted Chelsea lineup vs Arsenal: Hampton; Bronze, Buchanan, Girma, Baltimore; Walsh, Cuthbert, Rytting Kaneryd, James, Kaptein; Thompson.
Arsenal vs Chelsea score prediction
These two teams are pretty evenly matched, underlined by the fact Chelsea are just two points above in the WSL, but having played two games more. The Gunners have certainly had the upper hand this season, the pair drawing 1-1 in North London in November, before quick-fire goals from Beth Mead and Mariona Caldentey secured a famous 2-0 win at Stamford Bridge a mere 59 days ago.
With the second leg to come on the King's Road next Wednesday, Renée Slegers' side may feel this first leg in front of their own support is must win. Well, Arsenal come into this tie following seven successive victories, scoring 20 goals and conceding only once. Chelsea saw their own five match winning streak come to an end at the weekend, still slightly scarred by a 5-1 drubbing they suffered at the Etihad against WSL champions-elect Manchester City on 1 February. Thus, this tie is not one to be missed, and we give Arsenal the slight edge for this first leg.
Prediction: Arsenal 2-1 Chelsea