Everton v Arsenal: Women’s Super League – live

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One Arsenal and England player who won’t be involved today is Chloe Kelly. She has a minor ligament injury, but she did a fantastic interview with the Guardian’s Rebecca Nicholson this month. Well worth reading.

“I went on to the pitch and my legs were just like jelly,” she recalls. It wasn’t until she tore her anterior cruciate ligament in 2021 that her mindset began to shift. “Before my ACL, I was definitely more of a nervous player. Having the injury allowed me to think, what am I nervous for? I’ve gone through the worst situation and I’ve had to do my rehab for that. So what is fazing me?”

Leah Williamson is on the bench for Arsenal, where she’s been for the past two matches. The defender hasn’t played any minutes since winning the Euro 2025 final as captain of the Lionesses. She’ll be itching to get on to the pitch this afternoon.

The Teams

Alessia Russo makes her 100th WSL appearance as she starts up front for the visitors. Perhaps more importantly, Kim Little returns to the starting XI – her guile has been missed at times.

Everton welcome back Maz Pacheco, who is on the bench after an injury. But it’s the same XI that saw off Chelsea, as you might expect!

Everton: Brosnan, Kitagawa, Fernández, Mace, Ishikawa, Wheeler, Hayashi, Momiki, Payne, Vignola, Gago.
Subs: Ramsey, Hobson, Van Gool, Ladd, Robinson, Galli, Snoeijs, Holmgaard, Pacheco.

Arsenal: Borbe, Fox, Wubben-Moy, Catley, McCabe, Little, Mariona, Cooney-Cross, Mead, Foord, Russo.
Subs: Liddiard, Williamson, Codina, Hinds, Harwood, Pelova, Smith, Blackstenius.

Alessia Russo arrives at Goodison Park. Photograph: Charlotte Tattersall/WSL Football/Getty Images

Preamble

Everton host Arsenal on the back of the outstanding result of the WSL season so far. Brian Sørensen’s side ended Chelsea’s 34-game unbeaten league run – which had dated back to May 2024 – with a hard-earned 1-0 victory last Sunday. In theory, it was good news for Arsenal who have serious ground to make up if they’re to mount a title challenge (though it was even better news for Manchester City, currently six points clear the top).

Arsenal’s frustrations are brought to you by the letter D: they have drawn four of their 10 WSL games this season. Their failure to turn their possession into clearcut chances is the root of the problem, although Renée Slegers’ team are on a three-game winning streak, albeit two of those coming in the Women’s Champions League.

Everton showed against Chelsea that they know how to play against the bigger teams: a solid defence with dangerous players on the counterattack. They conceded 30 shots on goal against the defending WSL champions but, crucially, kept a clean sheet. Stats to make Arsenal wary, even with the firepower in their ranks. Kick-off as at midday GMT – please do join us!