Match report

Arsenal W Defeats Manchester City W 1-0 in FA WSL Clash

Arsenal W
Arsenal W
1–0
FT
Manchester City W
Manchester City W
Feb 8, 2026

Arsenal Women (W) secured a narrow 1-0 victory over Manchester City Women (W) in a tightly contested FA WSL match. The game's only goal came from O. Smith in the 17th minute, with an assist from Mariona Caldentey. Arsenal held off a strong City attack to secure the crucial three points, showcasing their resilience and tactical acumen.

Key Facts

  • • Arsenal W 1–0 Manchester City W
  • • O. Smith scored the only goal at 17 minutes
  • • Mariona Caldentey provided the assist
  • • D. van Domselaar received a yellow card for time wasting
  • • Multiple substitutions were made in the latter stages of the game
  • • Laia Codina and Smilla Holmberg were among the late substitutes

Lineups

Arsenal W

Formation: 4-2-3-1

Starting XI

  • 14 Daphne van Domselaar (G)
  • 2 Emily Fox (D)
  • 3 Lotte Wubben-Moy (D)
  • 7 Stephanie Catley (D)
  • 11 Katie McCabe (D)
  • 10 Kim Little (M)
  • 8 Mariona Caldentey (M)
  • 9 Bethany Mead (M)
  • 23 Alessia Russo (M)
  • 19 Caitlin Foord (M)
  • 15 Olivia Smith (F)

Substitutes

  • 12 Frida Maanum
  • 6 Leah Williamson
  • 31 Smilla Holmberg
  • 18 Chloe Kelly
  • 5 Laia Codina
  • 40 Naomi Williams
  • 13 Barbora Votíková
  • 21 Victoria Pelova
  • 44 Sophie Harwood

Manchester City W

Formation: 4-2-3-1

Starting XI

  • 31 Ayaka Yamashita (G)
  • 18 Kerstin Casparij (D)
  • 4 Jade Rose (D)
  • 27 Rebecca Knaak (D)
  • 5 Alex Greenwood (D)
  • 19 Laura Blindkilde (M)
  • 25 Yui Hasegawa (M)
  • 14 Kerolin Nicoli (M)
  • 10 Vivianne Miedema (M)
  • 11 Lauren Hemp (M)
  • 9 Khadija Shaw (F)

Substitutes

  • 17 Samantha Coffey
  • 24 Iman Beney
  • 6 Grace Clinton
  • 35 Khiara Keating
  • 28 Gracie Prior
  • 15 Leila Ouahabi
  • 22 Sydney Lohmann
  • 7 Laura Coombs
  • 46 Lily Murphy

Timeline

  1. Arsenal W
    17' Arsenal W Goal · Normal Goal
    O. Smith · Assist: Mariona Caldentey
  2. Manchester City W
    46' Manchester City W subst · Substitution 1
    Off: L. Blindkilde Brown · On: Samantha Coffey
  3. Arsenal W
    68' Arsenal W subst · Substitution 1
    Off: B. Mead · On: F. Maanum
  4. Manchester City W
    73' Manchester City W subst · Substitution 2
    Off: Kerolin · On: I. Beney
  5. Arsenal W
    80' Arsenal W Card · Yellow Card
    D. van Domselaar

    Time wasting

  6. Arsenal W
    84' Arsenal W subst · Substitution 2
    Off: O. Smith · On: C. Kelly
  7. Arsenal W
    84' Arsenal W subst · Substitution 3
    Off: S. Catley · On: L. Williamson
  8. Arsenal W
    84' Arsenal W subst · Substitution 4
    Off: K. McCabe · On: Smilla Holmberg
  9. Arsenal W
    89' Arsenal W subst · Substitution 5
    Off: Mariona Caldentey · On: Laia Codina
  10. Manchester City W
    90' Manchester City W subst · Substitution 3
    Off: V. Miedema · On: G. Clinton

Match Stats

Stat Arsenal W Manchester City W
Fouls 7 13
Pass Accuracy 85% 83%
Offsides 0 2
Red Cards — —
Total Shots 12 8
Corners 4 1
Total Passes 467 447
Yellow Cards 1 0
Blocked Shots 5 3
Shots on Target 4 1
xG — —
Shots off Target 3 4
Possession 51% 49%
Goals Prevented — —
Accurate Passes 398 373
Shots Inside Box 7 3
Saves 1 3
Shots Outside Box 5 5

Key Match Notes

  • ▸ O. Smith's early goal in the 17th minute set the tone for Arsenal, giving them the lead they never surrendered
  • ▸ Arsenal's defensive resilience was evident, especially in the second half, as they managed to hold off Manchester City's aggressive attacks