The stats that show why Arsenal can end Chelsea’s 32-game unbeaten run in the Women’s Super League | OneFootball

(Jayde Chamberlain/SPP)

Ahead of Arsenal vs Chelsea on Saturday, SheKicks takes a look at the stats which show why the Gunners can end Chelsea’s 32-game unbeaten run in the Women’s Super League (WSL).

How Arsenal can beat Chelsea in the WSL

It feels like a must-win match for Renee Slegers’ side, if they are to have any hopes of winning their first WSL title since 2019.

Arsenal are already five points behind Chelsea, and a loss at the Emirates Stadium would make it near impossible for the European champions to end their rivals’ domination of the WSL.

A draw might not even be enough, given that Chelsea only dropped points in three games last season – the same amount that Arsenal have done across their opening seven games this campaign.

Although Arsenal have had a mixed start to the season, there are still plenty of reasons for Gunners fans to be positive going into this weekend’s clash. Below, SheKicks takes a look at how Arsenal can beat Chelsea in the WSL on Saturday afternoon.

Take advantage of Chelsea’s underperforming attack

Despite topping the standings, there are arguments that Chelsea are actually underperforming in terms of their attacking statistics.

Chelsea have scored 14 goals across their opening seven games this season. This is despite having an xG (expected goals) figure of 16.3.

The Blues rank fourth in the league for goals, despite being second, behind Manchester City, in terms of big chances (22) and shots on target per 90 minutes (6).

Arsenal, despite their mixed start to the campaign, are overperforming when it comes to their attacking statistics. The Gunners have scored 17 goals off an xG of 13.4.

Renee Slegers’ side also ranks fourth in the WSL when it comes to chances created (18) and shots on target per 90 minutes (5.7).

Arsenal possesses plenty of quality in attack, as shown by the fact that Chloe Kelly, Alessia Russo and Mariona Caldentey have all been shortlisted for The Best FIFA Women’s Player 2025.

These stats show that while Chelsea get themselves into attacking positions more often than Arsenal, it is the Gunners who are more clinical with their chances.

Chelsea’s attack has underperformed this season despite topping the standings

Should Arsenal start Stina Blackstenius against Chelsea?

Arsenal forward Stina Blackstenius has only started in two of her six appearances for the Gunners in the WSL this season.

However, there are strong arguments to suggest she deserves to start against Chelsea, especially after netting a brace in their last outing against Leicester.

Despite only playing 260 minutes this season, Blackstenius has six goal contributions in the WSL.

She ranks second for goal contributions in the league, only behind Manchester United’s Ella Toone on seven. This is despite her expected goals and assists only being 3.3

The 29-year-old, alongside teammates Frida Maanum and Kelly, is among four players in the WSL who are scoring at a rate of more than one goal per 90 matches (also including Chelsea’s Sam Kerr).

Blackstenius and Maanum are also the only players in the WSL with an xG of more than one per 90 minutes.

Arsenal traditionally play a 4-3-3 formation, but Slegers could consider starting Blackstenius alongside Russo, much like she did against Leicester. It would be a difficult decision to bench Blackstenius, looking at her attacking output this season.

Utilise the creative abilities of Mariona Caldentey

Mariona Caldentey is one of the best players in the world and the Arsenal star has the quality to punish Chelsea in this weekend’s WSL clash.

The Spaniard finished second in the Ballon d’Or running behind Aitana Bonmati, but was surprisingly snubbed from the shortlist for the FIFPRO World XI.

If Arsenal are to beat Chelsea, they will need to make the most out of Caldentey’s creative abilities.

Caldentey, alongside London City Lionesses’ Kosovare Asllani, top the charts in terms of chances created. The pair have both created 21 chances this season, with Caldentey creating 3.4 chances per 90 minutes.

Chelsea midfielder Erin Cuthbert, who has been predicted to score the winner in this weekend’s clash, is third with 13 chances created, just ahead of Arsenal striker Alessia Russo (12).

Caldentey also ranks third for accurate passes per 90 minutes at 64.2 (behind Maya Le Tissier and Jade Rose).

Arsenal have the most touches inside the opposition’s box in the league with 286, ahead of Chelsea on 275. Caldentey is a big factor for this stat due to her ability to get on the ball in dangerous positions.

Caldentey has the most touches for any Arsenal player in the final third with 250, compared to the next-best Katie McCabe’s 183. She has also carried the ball over a distance of 1,585 yards this season.

In comparison, Ellie Carpenter has had the most touches for Chelsea in the final third with 178. Out of Chelsea’s midfielders, Erin Cuthbert has carried the ball over the longest distance at 858 yards.

Arsenal pair Mariona Caldentey and Alessia Russo both rank highly in terms of creative statistics this season

Arsenal could dominate possession against Chelsea

Despite their mixed start to the campaign, Arsenal dominate almost every passing and possession metric.

Slegers’ side are the only team to average over 60 per cent possession across their games so far this season (60.8), compared to Chelsea’s 57.6

Arsenal top the WSL when it comes to accurate passes per match with 449, with Chelsea fourth on 408.

The Gunners also top the league when it comes to progressive passing. Arsenal’s progressive passing distance is 20,275 yards across their opening seven games, with Chelsea third on 19,452.

Arsenal have also had the most touches in the attacking third (1,567) and in the opponent’s penalty area (268). Chelsea rank second for both of these statistics with 1,419 in the attacking third and 263 in the opponent’s penalty box.

If the Gunners get into their rhythm via central midfield technician Caldentey, they will prove difficult to beat.

Limit Chelsea’s threat from set pieces and crosses

Chelsea are the most dangerous team in the league when it comes to set pieces and crosses.

Sonia Bompastor’s side average 24 crosses per 90 minutes, more than any other team in the WSL.

The league leaders also top the league for corners (62) and long throws into the penalty area (8).

Since Bompastor has taken over, Chelsea have scored more goals from set pieces than any other side in the WSL (18).

This means Arsenal’s attack-minded full backs will need to balance risk with reward, while their centre-backs will need to be on guard when any dangerous balls come into the box.

Arsenal pair Katie McCabe (183) and Emily Fox (172), as well as Chelsea’s Ellie Carpenter (178) all rank in the top five in the WSL for touches in the final third. This shows just how important it is for both sides for their full-backs to get forward and create chances.

How have Arsenal fared in this fixture over the past five seasons?

Chelsea’s 2-1 victory at the Emirates Stadium is the only time they have beaten Arsenal away in the WSL over the past five seasons.

On that day, Chelsea got off to a flying start, with goals from Mayra Ramirez and Sandy Baltimore inside the first 15 minutes, handing the Blues the victory.

Arsenal will need to avoid any defensive lapses like that on that day, or against Lyon or Manchester City this season, if they are to take the spoils.

The Gunners will be hoping for a repeat of their 4-1 victory over Chelsea in the 2023-24 season.

On that day, Arsenal stunned Chelsea with goals from Beth Mead, Amanda Ilestedt and an Alessia Russo brace.