Arsenal Women prepare for a key home fixture against Birmingham City this Saturday, seeking to arrest a difficult run of form in the Women's Super League. The match at Emirates Stadium kicks off at 12:45 local time in the sixth round of the WSL season.
Arsenal sit 10th in the table with just five points from their opening five games. Their last outing was a 4-2 defeat away to Manchester City on October 4, a result that extended their winless league run. Lisa Baum, who has scored two goals this season, was on the scoresheet in that loss alongside Alessia Russo.
Opposition analysis
Birmingham City arrive in north London in similarly poor form, having lost their last four matches across all competitions. They were beaten 2-1 by Everton in their most recent WSL fixture. Their starting lineup that day featured players like Marie Levasseur and Lee Geum-Min, who will be tasked with testing an Arsenal defence that has conceded six league goals.
Recent form and stakes
Arsenal's recent results highlight the need for points. Since a 1-0 win over Køge in the Champions League, they have drawn with Paris FC and lost to Chelsea and Manchester City. A victory against Birmingham, who are 13th, is vital to climb away from the bottom half.
The likely shape for Arsenal is a 4-2-3-1, with the last starting XI featuring Russo leading the line supported by Baum, Mariona Caldentey, and Little in attacking roles. The full squad available for selection is listed on our squad page. The game represents a clear opportunity for Arsenal Women to build momentum before the international break, with the focus squarely on securing three points at the Emirates Stadium on Saturday, October 17.
