Live Blog: Arsenal Women take on Chelsea at Emirates Stadium in crucial WSL encounter

Emma Hayes visits the Emirates Stadium for possibly the final time as Chelsea manager, going head to head with Jonas Eidevall's Gunners



Live Blog: Arsenal Women take on Chelsea at Emirates Stadium in crucial WSL encounter

Calm before the storm: Over 58,000 will be in attendance at Emirates Stadium this afternoon. Credit- @cardyfreddie


Live BLog Sunday Dec 10th

Please stand-by, this page will automatically update with live commentary and comments

  1. Freddie Cardy: 14:38 #3202

    Time to hear from Jonas Eidevall, so keep an eye on the Gooner Fanzine website for his (delighted, surely) reaction! It's been an absolute pleasure as always to be reporting from the Emirates today- what a stunning victory for Arsenal.

  2. Freddie Cardy: 14:31 #3201

    The Gunners have stunned the champions and move level on points with Emma Hayes’ side at the top of the WSL!

  3. Freddie Cardy: 14:30 #3200

    Full time: Arsenal 4-1 Chelsea!

  4. Freddie Cardy: 14:29 #3199

    90+7' Kerr gets her head to Kirby's cross but her header is saved by Zinsberger. 4-1

  5. Freddie Cardy: 14:27 #3198

    95' Lacasse's left-footed strike from outside the penalty area is scuffed a long way wide. 4-1

  6. Freddie Cardy: 14:25 #3197

    90+3' Final change for Arsenal as Cooney-Cross comes on for Pelova. 4-1

  7. Freddie Cardy: 14:24 #3196

    90+2 Buchanan brings down McCabe and is lucky to escape a caution. McCabe's delivery is headed wide by Blackstenius. 4-1

  8. Freddie Cardy: 14:22 #3195

    90+1 Eight minutes are added on at the end of the second half. A chance for Arsenal to get their goal difference up... 4-1

  9. Freddie Cardy: 14:21 #3194

    89' Chelsea are having to throw numbers forward now and this is affording so many chances for Arsenal on the counter. Another one is squandered here by Lacasse however. 4-1

  10. Freddie Cardy: 14:19 #3193

    87' A very rare opportunity for Sam Kerr in this game, but her header is tame and saved by Zinsberger. 4-1

  11. Freddie Cardy: 14:18 #3192

    86' Blackstenius will be kicking herself after missing a superb opportunity! Her shot is high and wide after Maanum played her one-on-one with Berger. 4-1

  12. Freddie Cardy: 14:15 #3191

    84' A brilliant run down the left from Foord but Lacasse cannot connect with her shot. 4-1

  13. Freddie Cardy: 14:15 #3190

    83' Yellow for substitute Maritz after she blocked Reiten's progress. Chelsea have a free kick on the angle of the penalty area, but Cuthbert again can only pick out the hands of Zinsberger. 4-1

  14. Freddie Cardy: 14:12 #3189

    80' Arsenal have confirmed that 25,000 tickets have been sold for February's WSL game against Manchester United at Emirates Stadium, making it Arsenal Women's fastest-selling game to date. 4-1

  15. Freddie Cardy: 14:10 #3188

    78' Arsenal make history with yet another record WSL attendance! 59,042 are here at the Emirates. 4-1

  16. Freddie Cardy: 14:08 #3187

    76' Substitutions for both teams. Maritz, Blackstenius and Lacasse are on for Arsenal, with Mia Fishel introduced for Chelsea. 4-1

  17. Freddie Cardy: 14:07 #3186

    74' Goal! Arsenal 4-1 Chelsea: Berger guesses correctly but Russo's penalty has the power and placement to beat her. Arsenal are in dreamland. 4-1

  18. Freddie Cardy: 14:05 #3185

    73' Arsenal have a penalty after Alessia Russo was brought down in the box by Berger. 3-1

  19. Freddie Cardy: 14:03 #3184

    71' Fleming bursts forward and plays Buchanan through, but the defender takes too long and allows Arsenal to win the ball back. Not the player who Chelsea would have wanted in that position. 3-1

  20. Freddie Cardy: 14:02 #3183

    70' Yellow card for former Arsenal youngster Lauren James after she brought down Steph Catley. 3-1

  21. Freddie Cardy: 14:01 #3182

    68' It looks like Noelle Maritz is being readied to come on. 3-1

  22. Freddie Cardy: 13:58 #3181

    66' Catley's corner is caught easily by Berger. Chelsea try and counter but McCabe is back to head clear before Pelova clips the heels of Kirby. 3-1

  23. Freddie Cardy: 13:56 #3180

    65' Chelsea goalscorer Kaneryd is replaced by Reiten, often a thorn in Arsenal's side. 3-1

  24. Freddie Cardy: 13:55 #3179

    62' Great tackle by Catley on Kaneryd, but stretching to win the ball has seen Catley go down in real pain. Good to see that it hasn't lasted, and she is good to carry on. Cuthbert floats in a cross and Zinsberger claims. 3-1

  25. Freddie Cardy: 13:53 #3178

    61' Little is able to walk off but will be replaced by Frida Maanum. 3-1

  26. Freddie Cardy: 13:51 #3177

    59' Another stoppage as Little is attended to by the physios. 3-1

  27. Freddie Cardy: 13:50 #3176

    58' Foord tees up Russo who gets a shot away on her weaker foot, which is blocked. 3-1

  28. Freddie Cardy: 13:49 #3175

    57' Appeals for a penalty from Kirby are waved away, after Wubben-Moy had cleared for Arsenal. It didn't look like a foul by McCabe. 3-1

  29. Freddie Cardy: 13:48 #3174

    56' Curse of the commentator! Caitlin Foord is booked for a poor tackle on Kaneryd. 3-1

  30. Freddie Cardy: 13:47 #3173

    55' Foul by James on Walti- still no yellow cards in this game yet though.

  31. Freddie Cardy: 13:45 #3172

    53' Foord almosts wins the ball back off Buchanan on the halfway line but the Canadian holds onto possession- Foord would have been in on goal there. 3-1

  32. Freddie Cardy: 13:43 #3171

    51' Steph Catley is down receiving treatment and Noelle Maritz is sent out to warm up. Catley can continue. 3-1

  33. Freddie Cardy: 13:41 #3170

    49' We've seen Lauren James score from that sort of range very often! Great feet and pace from the forward but her strike flies wide. 3-1

  34. Freddie Cardy: 13:40 #3169

    48' The first chance of the second half falls to Victoria Pelova. Her left footed effort is at a comfortable height for Berger. 3-1

  35. Freddie Cardy: 13:40 #3168

    48' Kirby, Lawrence and Buchanan were introduced for Nusken, Perisset and Mjelde at half time. 3-1

  36. Freddie Cardy: 13:37 #3167

    46' The second half is underway! 3-1

  37. Freddie Cardy: 13:37 #3166

    Chelsea make a triple substitution with Fran Kirby introduced.

  38. Freddie Cardy: 13:35 #3165

    Arsenal are back out first for the second half, closely followed by Chelsea.

  39. Freddie Cardy: 13:30 #3164

    The last time Arsenal led Chelsea by three goals to one at half time? The Conti Cup final earlier this year, where Jonas Eidevall won his first silverware as Arsenal head coach.

  40. Freddie Cardy: 13:27 #3163

    Popped into the press room for my half time pie, and back to see both sets of substitutes warming up.

  41. Freddie Cardy: 13:22 #3162

    Mead put Arsenal in front after 8 minutes but Chelsea quickly responded through Kaneryd. It was a close-fought game, but two goals in three minutes from Ilestedt and Russo have put Arsenal in charge at the break.

  42. Freddie Cardy: 13:21 #3161

    Half time: Arsenal 3-1 Chelsea!

  43. Freddie Cardy: 13:20 #3160

    45+6' Arsenal have a corner at the end of this first half. Catley's delivery is headed away. 3-1

  44. Freddie Cardy: 13:19 #3159

    45+5' Russo gets a half-volley away from outside the box and it is blocked. 3-1

  45. Freddie Cardy: 13:18 #3158

    45+3' Beth Mead is tracking back again to make a tackle- you can tell she has been loving being back out on the pitch in the last month or so. 3-1

  46. Freddie Cardy: 13:15 #3157

    45+1' 5 minutes of added time. 3-1

  47. Freddie Cardy: 13:15 #3156

    45' Cuthbert's shot from the edge of the box is saved by Zinsberger- it might have taken a slight deflection. 1-1

  48. Freddie Cardy: 13:13 #3155

    44' Chelsea are trying to steady themselves here and look incoherent. Perisset's hopeful long pass drifts out for a throw. 1-1

  49. Freddie Cardy: 13:10 #3154

    41' Well, well, well. Arsenal have struck twice and are all over Chelsea here, pushing for a fourth before half time. 3-1

  50. Freddie Cardy: 13:09 #3153

    38' Goal! Arsenal 3-1 Chelsea: Two goals in no time at all for Arsenal, as Alessia Russo runs in behind and dispatches the ball into the far corner! 3-1

  51. Freddie Cardy: 13:07 #3152

    36' Goal! Arsenal 2-1 Chelsea: Amanda Ilestedt loves a header! The tall Swede heads home Catley’s corner and Arsenal are back in front. 2-1

  52. Freddie Cardy: 13:05 #3151

    35' Foord and Little combine but the winger's cross is overhit. It does come off a Chelsea head and Arsenal have a corner. 1-1

  53. Freddie Cardy: 13:04 #3150

    34' Good to see that Nusken has walked off and will be able to continue. 1-1

  54. Freddie Cardy: 13:02 #3149

    32' Free kick for Arsenal on the edge of the 'D' after Pelova was brought down. Nusken is also being attended too after a clash of heads with Little. 1-1

  55. Freddie Cardy: 13:00 #3148

    31' Mead's deep corner is punched away by Berger. 1-1

  56. Freddie Cardy: 13:00 #3147

    30' Now Catley can get the cross in and Carter clears for a corner. 1-1

  57. Freddie Cardy: 12:59 #3146

    29' A nervy moment for Zinsberger who was being shut down in her six yard box by Kerr, but she is able to steer a pass out to Foord. 1-1

  58. Freddie Cardy: 12:57 #3145

    27' Perisset floats in a free kick and the towering figure of Ilestedt heads it away. 1-1

  59. Freddie Cardy: 12:55 #3144

    25' Wubben-Moy takes aim from a long, long way out and her effort is blocked by a Chelsea defender. 1-1

  60. Freddie Cardy: 12:53 #3143

    23' The delivery is deep from Mead and McCabe can head the ball back across goal, where it is cleared. 1-1

  61. Freddie Cardy: 12:52 #3142

    22' Arsenal find some possession in this manic first half. Foord cuts inside and is fouled to win a free kick on the left. 1-1

  62. Freddie Cardy: 12:48 #3141

    18' Brilliant work again from Little who is able to square for Foord at the back post. It's a really important intervention from Perisset. 1-1

  63. Freddie Cardy: 12:46 #3140

    16' Russo is through and slams the ball straight at Berger, before the flag is raised. 1-1

  64. Freddie Cardy: 12:46 #3139

    16' Pelova finds Foord, who is able to pick out Catley with her back to goal. The ball just evades the left-back and is behind for a goal kick. And breathe. 1-1

  65. Freddie Cardy: 12:44 #3138

    15' Clear foul by Little on Fleming, who has been excellent so far. Two trademark counter-attacking goals. 1-1

  66. Freddie Cardy: 12:43 #3137

    12' Goal! Arsenal 1-1 Chelsea- the visitors break through Fleming and Kaneryd finds the bottom corner from the right hand side. All too easy for the Blues.

  67. Freddie Cardy: 12:39 #3136

    9' Zinsberger makes an excellent save down to her left to deny Fleming. 1-0

  68. Freddie Cardy: 12:38 #3135

    8' GOAL! Arsenal 1-0 Chelsea: A rapid Arsenal counter-attack is finished off by Beth Mead, who turns and slams the ball into the roof of the net after Pelova laid the ball off to her. Arsenal strike first!

  69. Freddie Cardy: 12:35 #3134

    6' Mead is back to win the ball back off Charles, drawing huge cheers from the home fans. 0-0

  70. Freddie Cardy: 12:33 #3133

    4' McCabe drives down the right and Little can cross for Russo, who sees the ball taken off her by Charles. 0-0

  71. Freddie Cardy: 12:31 #3132

    2' Russo goes wide to Foord, who tries to link up with Catley but the offside flag is raised. 0-0

  72. Freddie Cardy: 12:30 #3131

    1' Chelsea get the game underway! 0-0

  73. Freddie Cardy: 12:30 #3130

    The Angel is played, and we're all set.

  74. Freddie Cardy: 12:29 #3129

    Captains Kim Little and Sam Kerr meet in the centre circle. It's red vs blue with both sides in their home kits.

  75. Freddie Cardy: 12:27 #3128

    Here come the teams! It is a simply massive London Derby at the top of the WSL table. Strap yourselves in.

  76. Freddie Cardy: 12:26 #3127

    The flamethrowers are out in force again, and we can feel the heat far back in the press box!

  77. Freddie Cardy: 12:22 #3126

    The teams are down in the tunnel!

  78. Freddie Cardy: 12:19 #3125

    The rain is absolutely teeming down at the Emirates now. Umbrellas are out for the TV pundits, and fans are waiting as long as they can in the concourse before making their way out to their seats.

  79. Freddie Cardy: 12:15 #3124

    Both teams are back down the tunnel after finishing their warm-ups. The Emirates seems a touch apprehensive, but there are huge cheers for Katie McCabe, who was named Arsenal's Player of the Month.

  80. Freddie Cardy: 12:12 #3123

    The Arsenal brass band have made their way pitchside and are entertaining fans, albeit drowned out by Elton John's Step Into Christmas on the PA. Tune.

  81. Freddie Cardy: 12:09 #3122

    Today is one of this season's Rainbow Laces fixtures in the WSL, promoting LGBTQ+ inclusion across football and society.

  82. Freddie Cardy: 12:08 #3121

    And if you're brave enough to offer a score prediction, head over to @cardyfreddie on X to share your thoughts.

  83. Freddie Cardy: 12:05 #3120

    As well as this live blog, I'll be bringing you on-the-whistle player ratings as well as post-match reaction from Emirates Stadium. I've also got some video content to come too!

  84. Freddie Cardy: 12:01 #3119

    Jonas Eidevall is alternating between overseeing his own side get ready and intently watching Chelsea warm up.

  85. Freddie Cardy: 11:57 #3118

    Where will this game be won and lost? One of Arsenal's biggest worries will be the contrast in pace between their defence and a Chelsea attack containing the likes of Lauren James, and of course Sam Kerr.

  86. Freddie Cardy: 11:51 #3117

    Teyah Goldie, Gio, Laura Wienroither and Kaylan Marckese have just been wondering around the side of the pitch- all injured or unavailable, or both in the case of Marckese!

  87. Freddie Cardy: 11:47 #3116

    And here come Arsenal too! The floodlights are in full effect despite it still being Sunday morning, but it's certainly warmer than this time last weekend.

  88. Freddie Cardy: 11:45 #3115

    Chelsea are first out to warm up, and are warmly cheered by their away fans. The away section is sold out.

  89. Freddie Cardy: 11:44 #3114

    Jonas Eidevall is deep in conversation with assistant coach Renee Slegers. Eidevall is dressed as if he is about to have his hair cut at the barber's, with a long, dark coat down to his knees.

  90. Freddie Cardy: 11:41 #3113

    Millie Bright and Jelena Cankovic remain sidelined for the visitors due to injury. Guro Reiten is back in the squad but there is no Melanie Leupolz, who had been deemed available for selection by Emma Hayes.

  91. Freddie Cardy: 11:36 #3112

    Chelsea subs: Musovic, Hampton, Fishel, Ingle, Reiten, Lawrence, Kirby, Buchanan, Beever, Jones.

  92. Freddie Cardy: 11:36 #3111

    Arsenal subs: D'Angelo, Beattie, Codina, Maritz, Cooney-Cross, Maanum, Miedema, Lacasse, Blackstenius.

  93. Freddie Cardy: 11:34 #3110

    Lina Hurtig misses the game after sustaining an injury for Sweden in the international break.

  94. Freddie Cardy: 11:33 #3109

    Chelsea: Berger, Nusken, Carter, James, Perriset, Fleming, Mjelde, Kaneryd, Kerr, Charles, Cuthbert.

  95. Freddie Cardy: 11:32 #3108

    Arsenal: Zinsberger; Catley, Wubben-Moy, Ilestedt, McCabe; Little, Walti, Pelova; Foord, Russo, Mead.

  96. Freddie Cardy: 11:30 #3107

    Team news is in: Sam Kerr does start for Chelsea, and it is indeed Kim Little and Victoria Pelova in central midfield for Arsenal.

  97. Freddie Cardy: 11:22 #3106

    There was one WSL game on Saturday, with Manchester City coming from behind to beat Aston Villa and thus taking second place off of Arsenal.

  98. Freddie Cardy: 11:19 #3105

    Some big calls for Jonas Eidevall to make in his team selection, no more so in midfield. Victoria Pelova and Kyra Cooney-Cross have shone in recent weeks, but I would expect Kim Little and Lia Walti to return to the side in such an important fixture.

  99. Freddie Cardy: 11:16 #3104

    Rain is falling in N5 now for this Sunday lunchtime kickoff.

  100. Freddie Cardy: 11:11 #3103

    Team news is less than 20 minutes away. Will Sam Kerr make the starting XI for Chelsea after withdrawing from Australia's international fixtures due to injury?

  101. Freddie Cardy: 11:05 #3102

    Some of the players have made their way out onto the pitch- Frida Maanum and Guro Reiten share a warm Norwegian embrace and some of the Swedish compatriots catch up.

  102. Freddie Cardy: 10:58 #3101

    Jonas Eidevall’s programme notes: “We will hear each and every one of you, so scream your hearts out. When everyone comes together, it will create an atmosphere to remember. I can guarantee you that voice will make a difference when we need it most.”

  103. Freddie Cardy: 10:55 #3100

    St Pancras station played host to a number of Arsenal fans as I made my way up to North London, and by the time the Tube arrived at Holloway Road there was a sea of red and white. As many as 58,000 spectators will be in attendance today.

  104. Freddie Cardy: 10:50 #3099

    The first few Arsenal fans have made their way into the Emirates, serenaded by the buskers in the concourse. A bit of Alanis Morissette to start things off, no complaints there!

  105. Freddie Cardy: 10:47 #3098

    Good afternoon and a warm welcome to Emirates Stadium for Arsenal Women vs Chelsea! It's a game that never needs any introduction...


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