Arsenal Women Round-Up: Late Paris FC Win and Another Summer Departure

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·23 August 2026

Arsenal Women Round-Up: Late Paris FC Win and Another Summer Departure

The new Women’s Super League season may not have started yet, but preparations are gathering pace for Arsenal Women, with a victory, a departure and plenty of pre-season work for Renée Slegers and her squad.

Here are the key developments from the past week as the Gunners continue building towards the 2026/27 campaign.

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Olivia Smith strikes late to beat Paris FC

Arsenal Women secured a 1-0 pre-season victory over Paris FC at Mangata Developments Stadium in Borehamwood on Sunday, with Olivia Smith providing the decisive moment deep into stoppage time.

The game looked destined to finish goalless before Smith struck in the 91st minute. The Canadian international, who signed for the Gunners last summer, cut inside before finding the far corner to give Arsenal a late victory.

The result was another useful step in Slegers’ preparations for the new campaign, with the manager able to give valuable minutes to her squad as Arsenal continue working towards full match fitness.

Afterwards, Slegers was pleased with elements of the performance but made clear that there are still details to improve before the competitive action begins.

Leah Williamson also took positives from the afternoon as Arsenal continue building towards the start of their WSL title challenge.

Vivienne Lia leaves Arsenal for Eintracht Frankfurt

There was also movement away from the club this week, with Arsenal confirming on Friday that 19-year-old winger Vivienne Lia has joined Eintracht Frankfurt on a permanent transfer.

Lia joined Arsenal’s academy at the age of 14 in 2021 and progressed through the youth system before moving on to continue her development in Germany.

Her departure represents the latest change to the women’s squad during a busy summer of arrivals and departures.

For Slegers, attention is now increasingly turning from shaping her squad towards getting that group ready for competitive football.

What’s next for Arsenal Women?

There isn’t long to wait for another opportunity to see the Gunners in action.

Arsenal host Charlton Athletic Women at Mangata Developments Stadium on Wednesday, August 26, in their next pre-season friendly.

That will provide Slegers with another valuable opportunity to work on the final details before Arsenal begin their Women’s Super League campaign away to Brighton & Hove Albion on Sunday 6th September.

With competitive football drawing closer, the coming weeks should give us a much clearer picture of how Slegers’ new-look squad is shaping up for the challenges ahead.

What have you made of Arsenal Women’s summer so far? Are you happy with the squad heading into the new WSL season? Let us know in the comments.

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