Manchester City vs Arsenal: WSL preview, predictions, team news and TV info

Arsenal have won only two of their last nine away games against Manchester City in the WSL, with Stina Blackstenius on target during both of their victories there since 2017.

So, ahead of this heavyweight WSL clash on Sunday, check out our preview, predictions, team news and TV info.

Manchester City vs Arsenal match info

• Date: Sunday 4 October 2026.
• Kick off times: 4:30pm (local) & 11:30am (ET)
• Competition: Barclays Women's Super League
• Venue: Etihad Stadium - Manchester
• How to watch: Sky Sports (UK) and Paramount+ (USA).

How can I watch Manchester City vs Arsenal?

Manchester City vs Arsenal match preview

The start to this season has been borderline catastrophic for Arsenal so far, in desperate need of a victory against the champions on Sunday. In the Champions League on Wednesday, Renée Slegers' side were on course for three precious points, 2-0 up and cruising against Paris FC; Alessia Russo and Georgia Stanway both on target at Stade Jean-Bouin.

However, les Parisiens pulled one back before, in the 87th minute, being awarded a penalty in controversial fashion. Misa Rodríguez rolled the ball to Leah Williamson, who picked up the ball to take the goal kick. However, referee Iuliana Demetrescu penalised her for hand ball, deciding that the restart had already been taken, a truly bizarre way to throw away two points.

This merely exacerbates the dark cloud that hovers over Arsenal at the minute. Last Sunday, the Gunners' 20 match unbeaten run in the WSL came to an end, beaten 1-0 by Chelsea at Stamford Bridge, dominating early on, but rarely looking like equalising throughout the second 45.

Even before that, Slegers' side had been held to a miserable home draws by newly-promoted Crystal Palace and then bottom of the table Manchester United. Thus, with only five points on the board after four WSL matches, defeat at the Etihad would surely eliminate them from title contention already.

Well, Manchester City, in complete contrast, are looking to maintain their perfect start to the season. So far, Andrée Jeglertz's team have won every league game they have played, scoring four against Aston Villa and Liverpool, before Alex Greenwood was the match-winner against Charlton last Saturday.

However, the Sky Blues are yet to win in the Champions League. First, Man City came from 2-0 down to earn a share of the spoils with Bayern Munich in Unterhaching, before a 1-1 stalemate with Real Madrid on Thursday. Bunny Shaw's second half swivel and strike ensuring the points were shared.

Nevertheless, undeniably, Manchester City kick off as favourites to win this heavyweight clash, so will the champions be too strong for a disjointed Arsenal?

Manchester City team news

Andrée Jeglertz heavily rotated at the Valley last weekend, but could his team be disadvantaged by the fact their Champions League tie was as recently as Thursday? If he does want to freshen up his lineup, USWNT midfielder Sam Coffey could displace Laura Blindkilde. Meantime, Beth Mead made 263 appearances for Arsenal, scoring 86 goals, but will face the Gunners for the first time since departing.

Arsenal team news

Renée Slegers has had an extra day to prepare for this match, but is still searching for answers. She left Stina Blackstenius, Caitlin Foord and Olivia Smith on the bench in Paris, so will she go more attacking this time? Chloe Kelly won't face her former side due to injury, while Slegers keeps chopping and changing her goalkeeper, so no one knows if Misa Rodríguez or Anneke Borbe will be donning the gloves.

Predicted Line-ups

• Manchester City predicted lineup: Yamashita; Casparij, Rose, Greenwood, Wamser; Hasegawa, Coffey, Fujino, Mead, Hemp; Shaw.

• Arsenal predicted lineup: Borbe; Fox, Williamson, Wubben-Moy, Batlle; Little, Stanway, Caldentey; Baum, Russo, Blackstenius.

• Score prediction: Manchester City 3-1 Arsenal.

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