Holders Arsenal head to Stamford Bridge tonight aiming to defend a two-goal lead in an all-London Champions League clash.
The Gunners enter the second leg in confident mood following a clinical 3-1 victory at the Emirates last week. Renée Slegers’ side are in imperious form, currently enjoying an 11-match winning streak across all competitions.
Crucially, Arsenal have advanced from all four previous European ties when holding a two-goal first-leg lead. They also carry a psychological edge at this venue, having already won 2-0 at Stamford Bridge in the WSL this season.
Chelsea Women, however, return home needing a historic turnaround to reach their seventh consecutive semi-final. Sonia Bompastor’s side are no strangers to this scenario, having overturned a two-goal deficit against Manchester City last season. They arrive in good spirits too, following a thrilling 4-3 victory over Aston Villa that kept them second in the WSL table.
Notably, Chelsea have won all six of their previous Women’s Champions League quarter-finals, a record that will fuel belief in the home dressing room.
With Stamford Bridge’s electric home atmosphere behind them, the Blues will look to disrupt Arsenal’s momentum and keep their semi-final hopes alive.
Chelsea vs Arsenal – Match preview and team news
- Date: Wednesday, 1 April 2026
- Kick-off: 20:00 BST
- Venue: Stamford Bridge, London
- Referee: Frida Klarlund
- VAR: Katrin Rafalski
- Last Meeting: Arsenal 3–1 Chelsea (25 March 2026, UWCL)
Team news
Chelsea
Sonia Bompastor confirmed that Johanna Rytting Kaneryd is fit to return after missing the weekend’s league action. Lauren James, Lucy Bronze and Sjoeke Nüsken are all available despite training separately on Tuesday.
Captain Millie Bright and striker Aggie Beever-Jones, however, remain sidelined through injury. Sam Kerr and Ellie Carpenter provided a timely boost by returning against Aston Villa on Sunday.
Arsenal
Renée Slegers will be without Leah Williamson, as this high-stakes fixture comes too early in her recovery. Arsenal’s Australian trio — Steph Catley, Caitlin Foord and Kyra Cooney-Cross — will also be absent tonight.
Alessia Russo, meanwhile, enters the match as the Champions League’s leading scorer with seven goals, needing just one more to set a new record for an English player in a single campaign.
Form
Chelsea
Chelsea have won four of their last five matches, their only setback being the first-leg defeat at the Emirates. The Blues have been formidable at home this season, securing 17 wins from 24 competitive fixtures at Kingsmeadow and Stamford Bridge. They have also recorded 123 high turnovers in Europe this term — a tally level with tonight’s opponents.
Arsenal
Arsenal arrive in near-perfect form, having won 11 consecutive matches following their 5-2 North London derby success. The Gunners are seeking to win six consecutive Champions League games for the first time since 2013. They have also been remarkably clinical away from home, having already secured a league victory at this very stadium in January.
Predicted lineups
Chelsea predicted XI (4-3-3): Hampton; Buchanan, Girma, Buurman, Baltimore; Bronze, Cuthbert, Walsh; Thompson, Kerr, James
Arsenal predicted XI (4-2-3-1): Borbe; Fox, Wubben-Moy, Laia Codina, McCabe; Little, Mariona; Mead, Russo, Kelly; Blackstenius
How to watch Chelsea vs Arsenal?
The match will be televised live in the UK on BBC Two and Disney+. Coverage begins ahead of the 20:00 kick-off.
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