She Shoots, She Scores

League football returned to N5 as Arsenal prepared to welcome WSL newcomers London City Lionesses for their opening fixture of the 2025/26 season.

An exciting match was promised, with Arsenal returning to their new home ground of the Emirates for the first time since their historic Champions League win in Lisbon at the start of the Summer. However, their opponents weren’t going to go easy on the European champions. Michelle Kang’s side, including 16 new summer signings such as stars Danielle Van De Donk and Nikita Parris, wanted to make a statement as the first fully independent women’s team to play in the league, and hope to stay there.

A statement is exactly what they made, dominating the possession in the first twenty minutes, and being rewarded when a penalty was conceded their way, allowing their captain Kosovare Asllani to convert the clubs first ever WSL goal from the spot.

Now behind, Arsenal needed a comeback and quick. Their moment came in the form of their star summer signing Olivia Smith, the Canadian superstar whom they bought for a then record breaking fee of £1 million from Liverpool, the first in the women’s game to do so. A spectacular strike from outside the box gave the youngster a debut goal of dreams and brought her team back level.

Possession now firmly belonged to the Gunners, and it wasn’t long before another of their summer signings, fan favourite Chloe Kelly, scored her first goal as an official Arsenal player, after originally joining the club on loan in January, to put the hosts ahead just before half time.

Arsenal picked up where they left off going into the second half, keeping the majority of possession with some fantastic footwork all around. Despite some rough tackles and attacks from the London City players, picking up their fair share of yellow cards, the Gunners kept their cool and kept their possession.

They were rewarded when Beth Mead was subbed on in the 76th minute. The forward, who had been heavily rumoured to join London City over the summer, went on to have assisted two goals just ten minutes later, put in the goal respectively by Champions League goal scorer Stina Blackstenius in the 83rd minute and Frida Maanum in the 84th. With these efforts, the girls in red claimed a comfortable 4-1 win to kick off their campaign in style.

Player of The Match was awarded to Olivia Smith, for her stellar debut performance for the club, including arguably one of the greatest debut goals ever seen in the league. Other key players include Beth Mead, who proved why she belongs at Arsenal despite all of the press, and Katie Reid, whom despite conceding an unfortunate penalty, the youngster stepped up in place of vice captain Leah Williamson, who is ruled out of the start of the season with a knee injury, and recovered from the mistake to help prevent any further goals, displaying her impressive possession skills and proving why she is one to watch for the future.

Despite their unfortunate loss, London City are not a team to overlook. With their incredible summer signings, the team looked impressive from the start. In particular, goalkeeper Elene Lete made some incredible saves throughout, and Rofiat Imuran, who was all over the ball. With time and more practice, the team has the capacity to become one of the strongest sides in the WSL, and should be intriguing to watch settle and grow in the coming weeks.

Reneé Slegers side will now face another London rival, West Ham, away next Friday at Chigwell Construction Stadium.