.png)
Match Preview: London City Lionesses vs Arsenal
- Mar 15
- 4 min read
Barclays Women’s Super League
Arsenal
Sunday 15th March, 11:55am KO
CopperJax Community Stadium
Football Returns to a SOLD OUT Bromley
After the international break, Barclays Women’s Super League football returns to Bromley as London City Lionesses host Arsenal at the CopperJax Community Stadium, for a fixture packed with quality, storylines and London rivalry.
For London City, it marks the beginning of an important run of matches as the season enters its decisive phase. Fresh from the international window, both squads return strengthened by players who have represented their countries across the globe.
For the first time in the London City’s history, the CopperJax Community Stadium is sold out, a milestone that reflects the remarkable growth of London City Lionesses and the momentum building around the club.
The visitors arrive as the current Champions of Europe, bringing world-class talent and experience to Bromley. But London City have proven throughout their debut WSL campaign that we are not here simply to make up the numbers.
Eder Maestre’s side have shown resilience, quality and the ability to compete with some of the strongest teams in the league, and today offers another opportunity to demonstrate exactly that.
Before kick-off, check out the full matchday fan guide, which includes everything you need to know around the stadium, the Fanzone and matchday activities.
Here is your full match preview.
London City Lionesses
Returning from the international window into the final fixtures of the season, London City Lionesses continue to build their first Barclays WSL campaign with ambition and belief.
Since taking charge earlier this year, Head Coach Eder Maestre has continued to develop the team’s tactical identity while guiding the group through our 2026 fixtures.
Speaking ahead of the game, Maestre acknowledged the quality of the opposition while stressing the importance of attention to detail:
“Arsenal is one of the most talented teams in the world, so we need to understand that we need to be very focused on the details.
“With these kinds of players, we need to understand the profiles, the strengths of (Alessia) Russo, the same for Olivia (Smith)… they have a lot of players they can use in the frontline.”
With the backing of a sold-out Bromley crowd, London City will look to embrace the occasion and make it another memorable afternoon at the CopperJax Community Stadium.
Familiar Faces
Today’s fixture also highlights several connections between the two clubs.
Four members of the London City squad previously spent time at Arsenal during their careers, bringing extra narrative to matchday.
Daniëlle van de Donk enjoyed six successful seasons with the Gunners between 2015 and 2021, winning the FA Cup, League Cup and the 2018/19 WSL title before later adding a UEFA Women’s Champions League medal with Lyon.
Arsenal have their own DVD today too, Daphne van Domselaar, international teammate of Daniëlle, with some branding the fixture as the DVD derby!
Nikita Parris also represented Arsenal during the 2021/22 campaign following her successful spell in France with Lyon.
Freya Godfrey, who developed through Arsenal’s academy, has been one of London City’s standout performers this season and has recently earned senior England call-ups after impressive displays on the wing.
Defender Teyah Goldie spent over a decade progressing through Arsenal’s youth system before joining London City permanently after playing a key role in the club’s promotion campaign last season.
Opposition Overview: Arsenal
Arsenal arrive in Bromley looking to continue their push near the top of the Barclays WSL table.
Renée Slegers’ side come into the fixture following a 1–0 victory over Manchester City in their last league outing, and seven-game win streak in all competitions.
Despite having games in hand, the Gunners remain firmly in the race for the top positions and boast a squad filled with international stars.
Speaking ahead of the match, Slegers highlighted the challenge London City present:
“They’re very stable in the table. That’s hard if you come up from the WSL2 and stabilise quickly, but they’ve done that.
"They recruited experienced players and built something stable in their first season.”
She also pointed to tactical changes since the arrival of Eder Maestre:
“They’ve changed tactically since the change in management – a little more positional and zonal in defence rather than going player for player.”
Arsenal will be without several players due to international commitments at the Asian Cup, including Steph Catley, Caitlin Foord and Kyra Cooney-Cross, while others continue their return from injury.
Nevertheless, the visitors arrive with plenty of firepower and momentum.
The Last Meeting
The two sides met earlier this season on the opening weekend of the Barclays Women’s Super League.
On that occasion at the Emirates Stadium, London City took an early lead through a Kosovare Asllani penalty before Arsenal eventually secured a 4-1 victory.
It was a match that showcased the threat that both teams possess and underlined the competitive nature of the league.
Since then, London City have continued to grow into their debut WSL campaign, collecting important results and developing under new leadership.
Today’s clash provides an opportunity to write the next chapter in that story – this time in front of a full house in Bromley.
Where to Watch
Supporters can join us at the CopperJax Community Stadium for an 11:55am kick-off.
For those unable to attend, the match will be broadcast live on Sky Sports+.
International fans, find out where you can watch from here.
Stay tuned across club channels for live updates.
What’s Next?
Our starting XI announced across club channels at approximately 10:55am.
Follow our social channels throughout matchday for updates, reaction and coverage from Bromley.
COME ON LONDON CITY!