Manchester City have won only three of their last ten meetings with Arsenal, albeit this does include a 3-2 victory when the pair clashed at Academy Stadium exactly a year ago.
Ahead of this heavyweight Women's Super League clash at the Etihad, check out our preview, predictions, team news and TV info.
Manchester City vs Arsenal match info
- Date: Sunday 4 October 2026.
- Kick off times: 4:30pm (local) & 11:30am (ET)
- Competition: Barclays Women's Super League
- Venue: Etihad Stadium - Manchester
- How to watch: Sky Sports (UK) and Paramount+ (USA).
How can I watch Manchester City vs Arsenal?
Country | Broadcaster(s) |
|---|---|
UK & Ireland | Sky Sports Main Event and Premier League |
United States | Paramount+ |
Canada | Sportsnet One |
Australia | Stan Sport |
Austria, Germany and Switzerland | sportdigital1+ |
Southeast Asia | beIN Sports 3 |
Netherlands | Ziggo Sport 2 |
Norway | VG+ |
Sweden | TV4 Play |
Manchester City vs Arsenal match preview
Can reigning champions Manchester City underline their credentials with another WSL win? So far, the Sky Blues have won four out out of four to start their title defence. Andrée Jeglertz's team netted 11 times across victories over Birmingham, Aston Villa and Liverpool, before just one was enough last weekend; Alex Greenwood the match-winner at the Valley against Charlton.
Thus, the Citizens have very much emphasising they remain the team to beat domestically. In Europe though, Man City are yet to find top gear. Making their return to the Champions League, they have so far drawn both matches, first fighting back from 2-0 down to draw with Bayern Munich at Sportpark Unterhaching.
Then, on Thursday night, Bunny Shaw's second half strike ensured the points were shared when Real Madrid visited Joie Stadium. Nevertheless, the Sky Blues look undeniably strong right now, so are certainly favourites to win this clash on Sunday.
That is partially because, the same cannot be said of Arsenal right now. On Wednesday, having been 2-0 up, the Gunners threw away two Champions League points against Paris FC at Stade Jean-Bouin. In the 87th minute, not realising Anneke Borbe had already taken the goal-kick, Leah Williamson handled the ball to take it herself. The referee points to the penalty spot, and Paris pinched a point.
Back in the WSL, things are perhaps going even worse for Renée Slegers' side. Last Sunday, Arsenal saw their 20 match unbeaten league run come to an end, beaten 1-0 by Chelsea at Stamford Bridge. The Gunners were the better side throughout the first half but, after going behind, never truly looked like scoring.
More alarmingly, before that, they had been held to back-to-back home draws by Crystal Palace and Manchester United; Smilla Holmberg salvaging a draw right at the end of the latter. Thus, Arsenal already find themselves seven points behind Man City, meaning a defeat at the Etihad would surely eliminate the Gunners from title contention, even at this very early stage.
Manchester City team news
Andrée Jeglertz heavily rotated at the Valley last weekend, but could his team be disadvantaged by the fact their Champions League tie was as recently as Thursday? If he does want to freshen up his lineup, USWNT midfielder Sam Coffey could displace Laura Blindkilde. Meantime, Beth Mead made 263 appearances for Arsenal, scoring 86 goals, but will face the Gunners for the first time since departing.
Arsenal team news
Renée Slegers has had an extra day to prepare for this match, but is still searching for answers. She left Stina Blackstenius, Caitlin Foord and Olivia Smith on the bench in Paris, so will she go more attacking this time? Chloe Kelly won't face her former side due to injury, while Slegers keeps chopping and changing her goalkeeper, so no one knows if Misa Rodríguez or Anneke Borbe will be donning the gloves.
Predicted Line-ups
- Manchester City predicted lineup: Yamashita; Casparij, Rose, Greenwood, Wamser; Hasegawa, Coffey, Fujino, Mead, Hemp; Shaw.
- Arsenal predicted lineup: Borbe; Fox, Williamson, Wubben-Moy, Batlle; Little, Stanway, Caldentey; Baum, Russo, Blackstenius.
- Score prediction: Manchester City 3-1 Arsenal.
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