Arsenal vs Chelsea combined XI: Which title challenger has the edge ahead of Saturday’s WSL clash? | OneFootball

Ahead of Arsenal vs Chelsea, SheKicks selects our combined XI as the Women’s Super League holders travel to the home of the European champions.

The Gunners find themselves down in fifth ahead of Saturday’s meeting, five points behind leaders Chelsea.

Arsenal cannot afford to lose against a Chelsea side who are unbeaten in their last 32 WSL games.

Below, SheKicks selects an Arsenal vs Chelsea combined XI, selecting only players that are expected to be fit for Saturday’s clash – meaning no place for England captain Leah Williamson.

Arsenal vs Chelsea combined XI

Goalkeeper

Hannah Hampton (Chelsea)

There is a reason why Hannah Hampton has won the Yachine Trophy and been selected for the FIFPRO XI for 2025.

Hampton won the domestic treble with Chelsea last season before inspiring England to glory at Euro 2025.

She has started the season off strongly, keeping four clean sheets in the WSL with a league-high save percentage of 86.4 per cent.

Hampton will have to keep her mind away from off-pitch drama, following the fallout from Mary Earps’ comments about the England No.1 in hew new autobiography.

Defenders

Right back – Lucy Bronze (Chelsea)

If we were to use the same formation as Chelsea, both Lucy Bronze and Ellie Carpenter would get into this XI.

Despite Carpenter’s excellent form since joining the club, Bronze makes the XI after her recent return from injury.

Bronze is still one of the leading defenders in world football and was recently named as England’s Player of the Year.

Centre-back – Nathalie Bjorn (Chelsea)

Leah Williamson most likely would have taken this place but she is yet to feature for Arsenal this season.

That left this position down to between Arsenal’s Katie Reid and Chelsea’s Nathalie Bjorn.

Reid has been making waves with Arsenal and was unlucky not to make her England debut after she was forced to withdraw from their recent squad.

There is little to separate Reid and Bjorn this season, but the experience of the Swedish centre-back helps her get the nod.

Centre-back – Millie Bright (Chelsea)

Millie Bright recently marked her 300th appearance for Chelsea and is closing in on the WSL appearance record.

The 32-year-old, who recently marked her retirement from international football, is still an ever-present for Chelsea.

Bright, who was named in the FIFPRO XI, has played every WSL game for a Chelsea side who have conceded a league-low total of three goals this season.

Left back – Katie McCabe (Arsenal)

The first player to make the Arsenal vs Chelsea combined XI from the Gunners is Republic of Ireland international Katie McCabe.

McCabe has been a consistent performer for Arsenal for the best part of a decade and has started every game for the Gunners this season.

She has created more chances than any other left-back in the WSL this season and her crosses are something Chelsea will need to be wary of on Saturday.

(Bettina Weissensteiner / SPP)

Midfielders

Keira Walsh (Chelsea)

The Arsenal vs Chelsea combined XI includes two midfielders from the reigning WSL champions.

Walsh has been one of the consistent performers in the WSL this season, with stats website Fotmob giving her at least a 7.0 rating in each of her last six matches.

The 30-year-old helps keep Chelsea ticking in midfield and could be vital for the Blues in the midfield battle on Saturday.

Walsh was recently rewarded with the England captaincy against Australia, with Williamson out injured.

Mariona Caldentey (Arsenal)

Arsenal midfielder Mariona Caldentey is arguably the first player on the teamsheet.

The Spaniard won the PFA Players’ Player of the Year for 2024-25 and was many people’s pick to win the Women’s Ballon d’Or.

She ultimately finished second to Aitana Bonmati, though fans were more shocked that she was snubbed from the FIFPRO World XI shortlist.

Despite Arsenal’s mixed start to the campaign, Caldentey is still an early contended for the Player of the Year award for this season.

Erin Cuthbert (Chelsea)

Completing the midfield is Chelsea’s Erin Cuthbert, seeing off the likes of Kim Little and Victoria Pelova.

Cuthbert is in excellent form and was arguably Chelsea’s Player of the Match in recent victories over Tottenham and Paris FC.

The 27-year-old ranks third in the WSL for both chances created and expected assists.

She also frequently challenges opposing goalkeepers with eight shots on target this season.

Credit: Tom Phillips/SPP

Forwards

Right wing – Beth Mead (Arsenal)

Olivia Smith has more starts than Beth Mead in Arsenal’s team so far this season and is the player for the future for the Gunners.

However, it is hard to leave Mead out of the combined XI at this moment in time, thanks to her four assists in the WSL this campaign.

Mead is no longer the regular starter for club or country, but her form this season shows you can’t write her off.

After her excellent display against Leicester, it would be a surprise to see Mead lose her starting place to Smith, who is just coming back from an injury.

Striker – Alessia Russo (Arsenal)

There is a debate to be held over the striker’s position with Aggie Beever-Jones outscoring Alessia Russo so far this season.

However, Russo and Arsenal rediscovered their attacking spark in the 4-1 win over Leicester.

While Russo has only scored in two of Arsenal’s seven WSL games this season, her all-round game has been excellent.

Russo, along with Arsenal teammates Chloe Kelly and Williamson, was also named in the FIFPRO XI this week.

Left wing – Aggie Beever-Jones (Chelsea)

Though Aggie Beever-Jones predominantly plays as a striker, she can play across the front three and it is impossible to leave her out after an excellent start to the season.

This gives her the final nod in the Arsenal vs Chelsea combined XI, over the likes of Chloe Kelly and Caitlin Foord.

The England striker won her first WSL Player of the Month award in September after scoring in four straight matches.

She also has seven goals in 13 games for England despite playing a more limited role than she is used to at Chelsea.

Her stats show why she should be a regular starter for the Lionesses, even if Sarina Wiegman has to start her out wide.