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After giving their WSL title hopes a major boost at the weekend, can Arsenal add to their enormous silverware collection? On Saturday, quick-fire second half goals from Beth Mead and then Mariona Caldentey saw the Gunners beat six-in-a-row champions Chelsea 2-0 at Stamford Bridge.
Renée Slegers' side do remain third, ten points adrift run-away leaders Manchester City, but they welcome the Sky Blues to the Emirates on 8 February, so will get the chance to close that gap.
Before then, as reigning Champions League winners, Arsenal will represent Europe in the inaugural FIFA Women's Champions Cup. Both semi-finals will take place at the Gtech Community Stadium on Wednesday, with the final and dreaded third-place game at the Emirates on Sunday. So, let's look at the other three contenders and assess whether or not Arsenal should be considered favourites.
AS FAR
Arsenal's semi-final opponents will be Association des Sports des Forces Armées Royales, more commonly known as AS FAR, so let's go with that. The Black Devils have won ten consecutive Moroccan league titles, as well as winning two of the five African Champions Leagues since the tournament's inception in 2021.
In November's final in Ismailia, a pair of penalties saw them overcome ASEC Mimosas 2-1. Just to get this far in the Champions' Cup, AS Far have already have already had to oust the Asian champions, beating Wǔhàn Jiānghàn University 2-1 at home last month. They are a really interesting club and a rising force, but it would require a major shock for the Moroccan team to prevail on Wednesday.
Corinthians
Looking over at the other semi-final, scheduled for earlier in the day, it is a battle of the Americas. Corinthians picked up a sixth straight Brasileirão Feminino title last year, while they are also dominating the Copa Libertadores Femenina.
The Timão have been South American champions in five of the last seven seasons, including each of the last three, defeating Deportivo Cali on penalties in the most-recent final in Banfield back in October. So, Lucas Piccinato's team cannot be underestimated but, for reasons we're about to outline, Corinthians will kick off in West London on Wednesday afternoon as major underdogs.
Gotham FC
For many years, the National Women's Soccer League in America has been viewed as the strongest on the planet and, right now, Gotham FC might just be the best the country has to offer.
In 2025, despite finishing eighth in the regular season, thereby only just snatching the final play-off place, the New Jersey-based outfit picked up a second NWSL crown in three seasons. Juan Carlos Amorós' side ousted Kansas City Current and Orlando Pride on the road before defeating Washington Spirit 1-0 in the final, with Rose Lavelle the only scorer in California.
The Bats also won the first-ever CONCACAF W Champions Cup earlier in 2025, defeating Tigres UANL 1-0 in the final, thanks to Esther González's late goal. Gotham travel to London with a staked squad. This includes USWNT regulars Tierna Davidson, Emily Sonnett, Lavelle, Jaedyn Shaw and others, as well as England defender Jess Carter and former Chelsea goalkeeper Ann-Katrin Berger.
Thus, both Arsenal and Gotham have to be considered firm favourites to win their respective semi-finals. This would set up a WSL vs NWSL final, a match-up supporters have long wanted to see. Should this come to pass on Sunday evening, we have to give the Gunners the edge.
Not only do they have home advantage, the visitors are out of season. Gotham have not been in action since their Championship victory on 22 November, with the new campaign not commencing until 14 March. This lack of match practice has to be a massive disadvantage for the American champions, so the Arsenal supporters in attendance this weekend may have silverware to savour.