Arsenal W vs Everton W: FA WSL Clash on May 13, 2026

Emirates Stadium stages a meeting of contrasting trajectories on 13 May 2026, as third‑placed Arsenal W host eighth‑placed Everton W in the FA WSL. With Champions League qualification already signposted in the table for Arsenal W and Everton W fighting to stay clear of the bottom end, the stakes are asymmetrical but clear: the hosts are chasing a dominant finish to the campaign, the visitors are seeking a statement result against one of the league’s elite.

Context and stakes

In the league, Arsenal W arrive in a powerful position. They sit 3rd with 45 points from 20 matches, boasting a goal difference of +36 and a near‑flawless record of 13 wins, 6 draws and just 1 defeat. At home they have been formidable: 10 matches, 7 wins, 3 draws, no losses, with 27 goals scored and only 6 conceded.

Everton W, by contrast, are 8th with 20 points from 20 games and a goal difference of -12. Their overall record (6 wins, 2 draws, 12 defeats) underlines a season of inconsistency. Interestingly, they have been more competitive away than at home: on the road they have 4 wins, 2 draws and 4 losses, scoring 14 and conceding 14, compared to a fragile home record of 2 wins and 8 defeats.

Form lines amplify the gap. Arsenal W’s league form reads “WDWWW”, part of a broader season sequence of “WWDDLWWDDWWDWWWWWWDW”, reflecting long winning streaks and only one league loss across all phases. Everton W’s recent pattern “LLLWW” sits inside a volatile season run of “WLLLDLDLLWLLLWWWWLLL”, marked by clusters of defeats punctuated by shorter winning spells.

Tactical outlook: Arsenal W

The numbers paint Arsenal W as a high‑control, high‑output side. Across all phases they average 2.5 goals for per match (49 in 20) and concede just 0.7 (13 in 20). At Emirates Stadium that attacking edge sharpens to 2.7 goals scored per game, with only 0.6 conceded. They have kept 10 clean sheets overall (5 at home, 5 away) and failed to score in just 3 matches.

Tactically, the preferred structure has been a 4‑2‑3‑1 (used 9 times), with occasional switches to 4‑4‑2, 4‑3‑3 and 4‑1‑4‑1. That suggests a side comfortable controlling central zones with a double pivot while unleashing a fluid attacking band.

Personnel‑wise, the frontline threat is well distributed but led by Alessia Russo. In the league, Russo has 6 goals and 2 assists in 19 appearances, operating as the primary attacker with a strong all‑round profile: 32 shots (22 on target), 16 key passes and solid duel output. Her minutes (975) reflect regular involvement, and her rating of 7.45 underlines consistent impact.

Behind and around her, Stina Blackstenius offers a different dimension. With 5 goals and 2 assists from 18 appearances but only 7 starts, she has been an effective rotational or impact striker, scoring at a strong rate relative to 467 minutes. Her presence gives Arsenal W the option of a two‑striker 4‑4‑2 or a fresh central forward late in games.

From midfield, Olivia Smith has emerged as a key creative‑goal threat hybrid. With 4 goals and 2 assists in 17 appearances and 19 key passes, she links the lines effectively, pressing and tackling (19 tackles, 51 duels won) while also contributing in the final third. Her ability to arrive from midfield will be a concern for an Everton W defence that concedes 1.8 goals per game across all phases.

On the flanks, Chloe Kelly adds another 4 goals and 1 assist from limited minutes (299 across 14 appearances). Her directness and end product, combined with a high passing accuracy (80%), make her a potent option either from the start in a 4‑3‑3 or as a late‑game winger in the 4‑2‑3‑1.

Defensively, Arsenal W’s structure has been robust. They have never lost at home in this league campaign, and their biggest home win (7‑0) and biggest away win (1‑5) underline their capacity to overwhelm opponents when they gain control. With only 6 goals conceded at Emirates Stadium, they typically suffocate visiting attacks early and rarely allow open contests.

Tactical outlook: Everton W

Everton W’s season profile is more uneven. They score 1.2 goals per match (24 in 20) and concede 1.8 (36 in 20). However, their away numbers are comparatively better: 1.4 goals scored and 1.4 conceded per away game, and 2 clean sheets on the road, suggesting they can be more compact and counter‑oriented away from Goodison Park/Walton Hall Park.

Formationally, they have mostly used a 4‑4‑2 (8 times), with 4‑2‑3‑1 and 4‑1‑4‑1 also appearing. The 4‑4‑2 points to a side that may seek defensive solidity in two banks of four, while relying on transitions and set pieces to threaten.

Honoka Hayashi is a central figure. The midfielder has 4 league goals in 17 appearances, a significant share of Everton W’s total. She also contributes defensively with 11 tackles, 11 interceptions and 4 blocks, and maintains a high passing accuracy (86%). Her dual role as ball‑winner and goal threat from midfield will be crucial if Everton W are to disrupt Arsenal W’s rhythm and exploit any space left between the lines.

Everton W’s biggest away win of the season (1‑4) shows they can punish opponents when chances fall their way, but their heaviest away defeat (3‑1) and overall record of 12 losses demonstrate how fragile they can be when forced back for long spells. They have failed to score in 4 league matches overall and kept just 3 clean sheets.

Discipline could also matter. Their yellow card distribution is heavily weighted towards the middle and late phases of matches (notably 46‑60 and 61‑90 minutes), which might hint at fatigue‑related fouls under sustained pressure. Against an Arsenal W side that often pushes hard in the latter stages, that could be a vulnerability.

Head‑to‑head: recent history

The last five competitive meetings between these sides, all in the FA WSL, show Arsenal W with a clear edge.

• On 13 December 2025 at Goodison Park, Everton W lost 1-3 at home to Arsenal W.
• On 14 March 2025 at Walton Hall Park, Everton W lost 1-3 at home to Arsenal W.
• On 6 October 2024 at Emirates Stadium, Arsenal W drew 0-0 at home with Everton W.
• On 28 April 2024 at Walton Hall Park, Everton W drew 1-1 at home with Arsenal W.
• On 20 January 2024 at Meadow Park, Arsenal W won 2-1 at home against Everton W.

Across these five, 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 (the 0-0 at Emirates Stadium) but have not beaten Arsenal W in this run.

The verdict

All available data points to Arsenal W entering this fixture as strong favourites. They are unbeaten at home in the league, score freely (2.7 per home game) and defend with impressive consistency (0.6 conceded at Emirates Stadium). Their attacking options in Russo, Blackstenius, Smith and Kelly offer variety and depth, and their recent form is that of a side finishing the season with momentum.

Everton W’s away record is comparatively respectable, and their 4 wins on the road suggest they are capable of organising well and springing counters. Hayashi’s influence from midfield, combined with a more compact 4‑4‑2 or 4‑2‑3‑1, could help them stay competitive for long stretches.

However, the structural gap in quality, the head‑to‑head record (3 Arsenal W wins and 2 draws in the last five), and the stark difference in goal difference (+36 vs -12) all lean towards a home win. Everton W may have moments and could threaten on transitions, but over 90 minutes Arsenal W’s control, depth and attacking firepower at Emirates Stadium should be enough to secure another positive result and reinforce their top‑three standing in the FA WSL.