Arsenal W vs Everton W: FA WSL Showdown at Emirates Stadium

Emirates Stadium sets the stage on 13 May 2026 as third‑placed Arsenal W host Everton W in FA WSL action, with Champions League qualification already in the home side’s hands but plenty still riding on form, momentum and pride. Arsenal arrive as one of the division’s dominant forces in 2025, while Everton are fighting to stay clear of the lower reaches and build on a patchy but occasionally dangerous campaign.

Context and stakes

In the league, Arsenal W sit 3rd with 45 points from 20 games, boasting a formidable +36 goal difference. Their place in the Champions League qualification spots is underlined by a record of 13 wins, 6 draws and just 1 defeat across all phases. At home they have been flawless in terms of results: 10 matches, 7 wins, 3 draws, 0 losses, with 27 goals scored and only 6 conceded.

Everton W, by contrast, are 8th with 20 points, a -12 goal difference and a very different trajectory: 6 wins, 2 draws and 12 defeats. Their away record is notably stronger than their home form – 4 wins, 2 draws and 4 losses on the road, with 14 goals scored and 14 conceded – but they arrive as clear underdogs against one of the league’s most complete sides.

Arsenal’s recent league form reads “WDWWW”, while Everton’s is “LLLWW”, hinting at a home side finishing strongly and an away side whose late-season revival has been punctured by a run of defeats.

Tactical outlook: Arsenal’s structure and firepower

Across all phases, Arsenal’s numbers are those of a team that controls matches. They average 2.5 goals for and just 0.7 against per game, with 49 scored and 13 conceded in 20 fixtures. At Emirates Stadium that attacking edge sharpens further: 2.7 goals for and 0.6 against on average, backed by 5 home clean sheets in 10.

The tactical base is clear from their lineups: a 4‑2‑3‑1 has been used 9 times, with occasional switches to 4‑4‑2, 4‑3‑3 and 4‑1‑4‑1. Expect a high front line, full-backs pushing on, and a double pivot that allows their attacking midfielders and wide forwards to operate between the lines.

Key to that threat is Alessia Russo. In 19 appearances (18 starts), she has 6 league goals and 2 assists, with a strong all‑round contribution: 32 shots (22 on target), 16 key passes and a 7.45 average rating. She is the focal point of Arsenal’s attack, capable of finishing moves but also linking play and drawing fouls (17 won) to keep the team high up the pitch.

Alongside her, Stina Blackstenius offers depth and variety. With 5 goals and 2 assists in 18 appearances despite starting only 7 times, she is a potent option whether from the start or off the bench. Her 26 shots and 8 key passes in limited minutes underline how much threat she brings as a secondary striker or wide forward.

From midfield, Olivia Smith adds both creativity and work rate. Four goals and two assists in 17 appearances, plus 19 key passes and 19 tackles, make her an important two‑way presence in the 4‑2‑3‑1. She supports the press, breaks lines with dribbles (11 successful from 21 attempts) and contributes to Arsenal’s ability to sustain pressure.

Chloe Kelly gives Jonas Eidevall another weapon in wide areas. In just 299 minutes she has 4 goals and 1 assist, with 11 shots and 5 key passes. Her direct running, crossing threat and eye for goal make her a classic impact player who can change the rhythm of the game, particularly against tiring full‑backs.

Defensively, Arsenal’s structure is backed up by numbers: only 13 goals conceded in 20 matches, 10 clean sheets and just 3 games all season where they have failed to score. The biggest home win (7‑0) and the absence of any home defeat in the league underline how difficult this assignment will be for Everton.

Everton’s game plan: compact, reactive, and reliant on moments

Everton’s season has been uneven, but there is a clear difference between home and away performances. They concede 2.2 goals per game at home but only 1.4 away, suggesting Brian Sørensen’s side are more comfortable in a compact, counter‑attacking setup on their travels.

Their typical formations – 4‑4‑2 (8 times), 4‑2‑3‑1 (3 times) and 4‑1‑4‑1 (3 times) – point to a team that can mirror Arsenal’s shape or drop into a deeper block with two banks of four. Away from home they average 1.4 goals for and 1.4 against, with 2 clean sheets and 2 games where they have failed to score. The blueprint at Emirates Stadium is likely to be: stay narrow, limit space between the lines, and try to exploit transitions.

Midfielder Honoka Hayashi is central to that plan. With 4 goals in 17 appearances, she provides a rare scoring threat from midfield, but her passing and defensive work are just as important: 335 passes at 86% accuracy, 11 tackles, 11 interceptions and 4 blocks. She will be key in screening the back four and helping Everton play out under pressure.

Everton’s defensive record overall – 36 goals conceded in 20 games – is a concern, but the away numbers are more respectable. Their biggest away win (1‑4) shows they can be ruthless if given space, while the heaviest away defeat (3‑1) indicates they are vulnerable when forced to chase.

Discipline could matter. Everton’s yellow card distribution shows a tendency to pick up bookings across all phases of the match, especially between 46‑90 minutes, which might become an issue if they are under sustained second‑half pressure from Arsenal’s bench options.

Head‑to‑head: Arsenal dominance with a few tight contests

The last five competitive meetings between these sides in the FA WSL show a clear Arsenal edge:

On 13 December 2025 at Goodison Park, Everton W lost 1‑3 at home to Arsenal W.
On 14 March 2025 at Walton Hall Park, Everton W lost 1‑3 at home to Arsenal W.
On 6 October 2024 at Emirates Stadium, Arsenal W drew 0‑0 at home with Everton W.
On 28 April 2024 at Walton Hall Park, Everton W drew 1‑1 at home with Arsenal W.
On 20 January 2024 at Meadow Park, Arsenal W won 2‑1 at home against Everton W.

Across these five matches, Arsenal have 3 wins, Everton have 0, and there have been 2 draws. Notably, Everton have taken points in two of the last three meetings, including a 0‑0 at Emirates Stadium, evidence that they can frustrate Arsenal when they get their defensive structure right.

The verdict

All indicators point to Arsenal W as strong favourites. They are unbeaten at home, average nearly three goals per league game at Emirates Stadium, and possess multiple in‑form attacking options in Russo, Blackstenius, Smith and Kelly. Their defensive record is elite, and their recent form solid.

Everton W’s away resilience and their ability to spring surprise results mean this is not a formality, and their better away defensive numbers suggest they can keep the game competitive for stretches. Hayashi’s influence in midfield and a compact 4‑4‑2 or 4‑2‑3‑1 could slow Arsenal down, as it did in the 0‑0 draw in October 2024.

However, over 90 minutes, Arsenal’s depth, variety of attacking threats and outstanding home record make them more likely to find the decisive moments. Expect Everton to battle and look for counters, but the balance of evidence suggests Arsenal W should take another three points and continue their powerful finish to the FA WSL season.