What a difference a week makes for Arsenal Women.
Last Sunday we were reflecting on the end of pre-season and looking ahead to Brighton. Seven days later, Renée Slegers’ side have their first three Women’s Super League points on the board, another major summer signing through the door and now know exactly who awaits them in the Champions League.
There has been plenty happening around the women’s team, with Arsenal.com providing the official updates throughout the week.
Baum brilliance earns Arsenal opening-day victory
Arsenal began their 2026/27 WSL campaign in exactly the way Slegers would have wanted, securing a 1-0 victory away to Brighton & Hove Albion on Sunday.
And the decisive moment came from one of Arsenal’s new arrivals.
Lisa Baum marked her competitive Arsenal debut with a spectacular winning goal, giving the Gunners the breakthrough and ultimately all three points at Broadfield Stadium.
After all the changes to the squad this summer, getting off the mark immediately was important. Pre-season had ended positively with victories over Paris FC and Charlton Athletic, but this was the first result that actually counted.
It may only have been 1-0, but opening-day away victories are rarely something to complain about.
Slegers was particularly pleased with the impact of her new players afterwards, and Baum could hardly have dreamed of a better introduction to WSL football.
Another major arrival as De Almeida joins Arsenal
There was also late business in the transfer market this week as Arsenal completed the permanent signing of Élisa De Almeida from Paris Saint-Germain.
The 28-year-old France international brings considerable experience to Slegers’ defence after five seasons with PSG.
De Almeida adds another proven option to what has been a major overhaul of the Arsenal squad this summer and further increases the competition for places.
After seeing so many new faces arrive during the window, the real challenge now is turning that impressive collection of players into a settled side capable of challenging on every front.
Arsenal handed blockbuster Champions League draw
Speaking of challenging on every front, Arsenal also discovered their opponents in the 2026/27 UEFA Women’s Champions League league phase.
And there will certainly be no shortage of glamorous European nights.
The Gunners, who won the Women’s Champions League in May 2025, have been drawn against Lyon, Barcelona, Benfica, Paris FC, HB Køge and Inter Milan.
Barcelona and Lyon immediately stand out, while there will also be a quick reunion with Paris FC after Arsenal beat the French side 1-0 during pre-season last month.
It is a formidable-looking collection of opponents, but these are exactly the games Arsenal should want to be involved in.
The league phase will provide a serious examination of Slegers’ new-look squad and should also tell us plenty about just how far Arsenal can go in Europe this season.
Crystal Palace next at the Emirates
For now, though, attention returns to the WSL.
Arsenal’s next assignment is Crystal Palace at the Emirates Stadium on Sunday, September 13, giving the Gunners an opportunity to build immediately on today’s victory at Brighton.
Three points on the opening weekend, another experienced defender added to the squad and some huge European fixtures to look forward to.
Not a bad week at all for Arsenal Women.
What did you make of Arsenal’s opening-day performance, Gooners? And which of those Champions League fixtures are you most looking forward to? Let us know in the comments below.
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The result was all important as it was the first game of the season.
But I must say, I’m perplexed that Arsenal played Battelle as the covering left back ahead of Hinds. Battelle is a right back, and if I was Hinds I’d be put out having to watch from the bench with the manager preferring to play an actual right back ahead of me who is an actual left back. And to add insult to injury, she the manager then takes Battelle of, and replaces her with Holmberg, who is another right back. And leaves Hinds the actual left back on the bench.
I’m not really sure of Slegers as the manager to be honest. I think Arsenal women won the Champions League, not because of her. But in spite of her.
What message is she sending to Hinds. She must be as confused as I am.
posting failure?
Arsenal Women team is stacked with proven talent drawn from elite European leagues. The team is capable of winning both domestic and European titles though the WSL must get the utmost priority to bring an end to Chelsea’s almost a decade old dominance.
Amba,
Just to remind you that Manchester City are the current Champions, but I get you’re drift. 👍
DEREK,
I got you City yeah Champs last term but we’re not sure if it was by accident, law of averages, blip of Chelsea or by design. City were no where near in past seasons. Previous 6 years were all Chelsea.
This Arsenal team is like a state of the art aircraft flown by a rookie pilot. Slegers has a lot to prove. All eyes are on her
Amba,
Are you as confused about sleger’s treatment of Hinds as I am?.
Why would you play a right back over you’re left back. And then to add insult to injury sub the right back and replace her with another right back, leaving you’re actual left back on the bench.
Answers on a post card please. 🤦♂️
DEREK,
My personal viewpoint is Batlle all day long in the left wing position. Batlle played for Spain, Madrid, Barca and Man Utd in that left wing. Hinds came from a lesser promoted team in Liverpool.
Delay due to posting bottlenecks
Amba, she’s predominantly a right back. That’s where she played for United, and she plays right back for Spain.
Yeah DEREK you’re spot on. Batlle is good on both sides. Batlle > Hinds. Even before the coming of Batlle, Hinds was not a regular last season. Fox and Mccabe were.
The newly brought from Bayern Barca Madrid PSG should be automatic starters.
Tomorrow Utd facing Chelsea gives Arsenal more opportunity to widen the gap.
This Galactico Arsenal can win every trophy available. Coach?
Amba,
Regards Hinds again. It doesn’t make sense to me that Slegers prefers to play a right back above an actual left back.
Last season Hinds was up against McCabe, which is fair enough she’s a left back to. But what message are you sending Hinds by playing a right back ahead of her.
For me we have the right back slot covered, but no new actual left back bought in. In truth there was no need to bring in Battelle.
Another actual left back as competition for Hinds should have been the way to go in my opinion.
If I was Hinds, my nose would be put out of joint. But as you’re mentioned before there are question marks over certain things that Slegers does. This is just another example.
Btw did you see DEREK the predictions table? Leaders couldn’t stay longer in that position like some prime ministers in certain countries. I’m also going down from 7th to 15th. Tough wizards to contend with
Amba,
If you go on the predictions page you will see that I’ve already chastised both you and Sue P.😂👍
DEREK,
Regards predictions your chastise correct and accepted. I’m though within striking distance. When you’re certain of some games’ results as a mentor in the red corner please send me your suggestions before I post mine. Thanks!
Amba,
Just to let you know, and anyone else who cares to know, that the Arsenal women’s game versus Crystal Palace today is on BBC2.
Thanks DEREK play starts at 2:45. I expect to see more than 4 Arsenal goals. Arsenal will lead the league with a win as City play later.
Utd beaten at home by Chelsea 4-0. The new Spanish coach is struggling to know the league
Utd 0-5 Chelsea Women. I hope the Utd men will avenge that humiliating defeat
HT at Emirates:
Arsenal 0-0 Palace. 80% possession. Russo wasteful. Batlle at left back. Hinds not even on the bench. Hope the floodgates open in the 2nd half
Amba,
That’s 90 minutes of my life that I won’t get back. Another toothless performance from the attack. 30 shots at goal, 9 on target, and not 1 single goal.
So much for their fast start, it lasted just 1 game. 2 points dropped already.
DEREK yeah unexplainable. City beat Villa 4-1. Starting from now Arsenal are playing catch up football. Before it’s too late too little decision is really imperative. Two seasons in a row
Amba,
As early in the season as it is, it was important to get off to a fast start, something the women constantly fail to do.
There are 4 more games this season, which will hopefully help. And I think we might need them. 🤦♂️
DEREK,
4 more games this month 2 in WSL and 2 in UCL against Man Utd, Koege, Chelsea, Paris FC. These fixtures are crucial to the under fire coach