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

Arsenal W vs Everton W at Emirates Stadium on 13 May 2026 brings together two sides heading in very different directions in the FA WSL table, but with very clear, contrasting motivations. Arsenal W, third in the league on 45 points and firmly in the Champions League qualification places, are looking to close out a powerful campaign and keep pressure on the sides above. Everton W, eighth with 20 points, are safely clear of the bottom but still seeking a statement result to validate a late-season revival after a difficult year.

Context and stakes

In the league, Arsenal W have been one of the most consistent sides in England. They have lost just once in 20 matches, with a record of 13 wins, 6 draws and only 1 defeat, scoring 49 and conceding just 13. Their goal difference of +36 underlines a side that marries attacking fluency with defensive control.

Everton W, by contrast, have endured a far more turbulent season. They sit eighth with 6 wins, 2 draws and 12 defeats from 20 matches, scoring 24 and conceding 36 for a goal difference of -12. Their form line of “LLLWW” in the standings shows that while they have found some wins recently, defeats still dominate their narrative.

At Emirates Stadium, Arsenal W will want to finish strongly at home, protect an unbeaten home league record, and reinforce their status as one of the division’s elite. Everton W arrive as underdogs but with enough away resilience to believe they can frustrate and possibly unsettle the hosts.

Arsenal W: dominant, flexible, and hard to break

Across all phases this season, Arsenal W’s profile is that of a complete side. In the league they have:

• Overall: 13 wins, 6 draws, 1 loss from 20.
• Goals for: 49 (2.5 per game on average).
• Goals against: 13 (0.7 per game on average).

At home they have been particularly formidable:

• Home record: 7 wins, 3 draws, 0 defeats from 10.
• Goals for at home: 27 (2.7 per game).
• Goals against at home: 6 (0.6 per game).
• Clean sheets at home: 5 from 10.
• Failed to score at home: just 1 match.

Their biggest home win this season is 7-0, and they have not lost at Emirates Stadium. The defensive structure is tight, with only 6 goals conceded in 10 home games, and they have kept 10 clean sheets in total (home and away combined). The data suggests a team that controls territory, limits chances, and still has the attacking firepower to overwhelm opponents.

Tactically, Arsenal W’s flexibility is a major asset. They have most often lined up in a 4-2-3-1 (9 matches), but have also used 4-4-2, 4-3-3 and 4-1-4-1. That variety allows them to adjust between an extra forward, an extra midfielder, or a more stable double pivot depending on game state and opponent.

In attack, the burden is shared but there are clear standout threats:

• Alessia Russo: 6 league goals and 2 assists from 19 appearances, with 22 shots on target from 32 attempts and a strong average rating of 7.45. Her ability to occupy centre-backs and finish efficiently makes her the focal point.
• Stina Blackstenius: 5 goals and 2 assists from 18 appearances, often impacting games from the bench (11 substitute appearances). She offers pace and direct running as a second striking option or late-game weapon.
• Olivia Smith: 4 goals and 2 assists from midfield, with 19 key passes and a 7.31 rating. Her contribution between the lines and in buildup is significant.
• Chloe Kelly: 4 goals and 1 assist from just 299 minutes, with 11 shots and 6 on target. Her productivity per minute is striking, even if she has collected 4 yellow cards.

Arsenal W’s penalty record in the league shows 1 penalty taken and scored, with no misses. None of the listed key attackers have scored from the spot this season, so the danger largely comes from open play and structured attacking patterns rather than set-piece reliance.

Defensively, the numbers are elite: 0.7 goals conceded per match overall, just 13 against in 20 games, and only 1 league defeat all season (away, 3-2). Their biggest away loss shows they can be caught, but at home the data points to control and stability rather than chaos.

Everton W: dangerous away, but inconsistent

Everton W’s season has been uneven, but there are signs they are more comfortable away from home than at Goodison Park or Walton Hall Park:

• Overall: 6 wins, 2 draws, 12 defeats from 20.
• Goals for: 24 (1.2 per game).
• Goals against: 36 (1.8 per game).

Home vs away split is revealing:

• Home: 2 wins, 0 draws, 8 defeats; 10 scored, 22 conceded.
• Away: 4 wins, 2 draws, 4 defeats; 14 scored, 14 conceded.

Away from home they are effectively mid-table: 4 wins and 2 draws from 10, with a neutral goal difference (14-14). Their biggest away win is 1-4, and their heaviest away defeat is 3-1, suggesting that on their travels they are capable of both scoring and being opened up, but are far less fragile than at home.

Everton W have kept 3 clean sheets in total (1 at home, 2 away) and failed to score in 4 matches overall. Their form string across all phases (“WLLLDLDLLWLLLWWWWLLL”) underlines a streaky side: capable of stringing wins together (a best run of 4 consecutive victories) but also prone to long losing spells.

Tactically, they are more predictable than Arsenal W, primarily using:

• 4-4-2 in 8 matches.
• 4-2-3-1 in 3 matches.
• 4-1-4-1 in 3 matches.

The 4-4-2 base suggests a focus on compactness and counter-attacks, especially away, with the option to shift to a 4-2-3-1 when needing more control in midfield.

In terms of individual threat, Honoka Hayashi stands out:

• 4 league goals from midfield, with 335 passes at 86% accuracy and a 6.96 rating.
• She contributes both off the ball (11 tackles, 11 interceptions) and in the final third, giving Everton W a two-way presence in the middle.

Everton W’s penalty data shows 1 penalty taken and scored, with no misses. As with Arsenal W, the main attacking patterns are likely to be from open play rather than a reliance on spot-kicks.

Discipline-wise, Everton W pick up yellow cards fairly evenly through the match, with a notable cluster between minutes 46-90, which could matter if they are forced into late defending against sustained Arsenal W pressure.

Head-to-head: Arsenal edge the series

The last five competitive meetings between these sides (all FA WSL) show a clear but not overwhelming advantage for Arsenal W:

1. 13 December 2025, Goodison Park: Everton W 1-3 Arsenal W – Arsenal W away win.
2. 14 March 2025, Walton Hall Park: Everton W 1-3 Arsenal W – Arsenal W away win.
3. 6 October 2024, Emirates Stadium: Arsenal W 0-0 Everton W – draw in London.
4. 28 April 2024, Walton Hall Park: Everton W 1-1 Arsenal W – draw in Liverpool.
5. 20 January 2024, Meadow Park: Arsenal W 2-1 Everton W – Arsenal W home win.

Over these five matches: Arsenal W have 3 wins, Everton W have 0 wins, and there have been 2 draws. Notably, Everton W have taken points in London before (0-0 at Emirates Stadium in October 2024) and have twice held Arsenal W to draws in this period, even if they have not managed a victory.

Tactical themes to watch

• Arsenal W’s attacking depth vs Everton W’s defensive shape: With Russo, Blackstenius, Smith and Kelly all contributing goals, Arsenal W can rotate and still maintain a high attacking ceiling. Everton W’s 4-4-2 or 4-2-3-1 will likely be set up to protect central areas and deny space between the lines, but Arsenal’s 2.7 goals per home game indicates they usually find a way through.
• Midfield control: Hayashi’s role for Everton W will be crucial in trying to disrupt Arsenal W’s rhythm. Arsenal W’s ability to dominate possession and territory is reflected in their low goals-against numbers; if Everton W cannot contest the middle, they may be pinned back for long spells.
• Set pieces and discipline: Arsenal W collect most of their yellow cards late in games (a combined 12 yellows from minutes 61-120), while Everton W spread theirs more evenly but also see a spike after half-time. In a match where one side is likely to chase the game at some stage, late fouls and defending under pressure could be decisive.
• Everton W away resilience: A 4-2-4 away record with a neutral goal difference suggests Everton W are capable of staying in games and counter-punching. If they can keep the scoreline tight into the second half, their away profile gives them at least a platform to challenge.

The verdict

The data points strongly towards Arsenal W as favourites at Emirates Stadium. They are unbeaten at home, have one of the best attacks and defences in the league, and have a positive recent head-to-head record against Everton W, with 3 wins and 2 draws in the last five meetings.

Everton W’s improved away numbers and their history of drawing twice with Arsenal W in 2024 indicate this is not a foregone conclusion. However, Arsenal W’s consistency, depth of attacking options and defensive solidity make anything other than a home win an upset based on the available evidence.

Expect Arsenal W to dominate territory and chances, with Everton W relying on compact defending and transitional moments. If the match follows the season’s patterns, Arsenal W should have enough to secure another strong home result and reinforce their top-three status in the FA WSL.