Renée Slegers makes key changes as Gunners seek to regain form in Women's Super League
Category: Sports
In a strategic move ahead of their Women’s Super League match on September 19, 2026, Arsenal Women’s manager Renée Slegers has announced a revamped lineup for the visit of Manchester United at Emirates Stadium. Notably, Steph Catley will make her 100th WSL appearance, stepping in for Lotte Wubben-Moy at center-back, as the team aims to bounce back from a frustrating goalless draw against Crystal Palace last weekend.
Arsenal enters this match with four points accrued from two games, including a narrow 1-0 victory over Brighton. The upcoming fixture against Manchester United is seen as a key moment for the Gunners, who are eager to solidify their position in the league.
In addition to Catley’s milestone, Slegers has made two other changes to the starting XI. Olivia Smith will replace Chloe Kelly, and Stina Blackstenius will start ahead of Kyra Cooney-Cross, potentially allowing Alessia Russo to take on an attacking midfield role. This lineup adjustment reflects Slegers' commitment to enhancing the team's performance after the previous match.
The starting lineup for Arsenal features Misa in goal, supported by a back four of Fox, Williamson, Catley, and Ona Batlle. In midfield, Georgia Stanway and Mariona will play behind Russo, with Smith and Baum flanking Blackstenius up front. The substitutes for Arsenal include Borbe, Wubben-Moy, Foord, Little, Reuteler, Kelly, Cerci, Holmberg, and Cooney-Cross.
Arsenal's recent performance has been a mixed bag, with a solid win against Brighton followed by a disappointing draw against Crystal Palace, where they dominated possession but failed to convert chances into goals. This inconsistency raises the stakes for the match against Manchester United, as Slegers aims to instill confidence in her players.
Manchester United, visiting Emirates Stadium, will also be looking to assert their dominance in the league. Their lineup includes Tullis-Joyce, Sandberg, Le Tissier, Lundkvist, Medina, Park, Terland, Awujo, Zigiotti, Janssen, and Hinata. The team’s depth is evident with substitutes such as Leitzig, Hill, Simpson, Anderson, Bernal, Griffiths, Toone, Jusu Bah, and Schuller ready to make an impact.
This match is particularly important as both teams are vying for a strong position in the Women’s Super League, with Arsenal facing a challenging schedule ahead. They are set to compete in the UEFA Women’s Champions League against HB Køge and Paris FC, alongside league clashes against title rivals Chelsea and Manchester City in the coming weeks.
Kickoff for the Arsenal versus Manchester United match is scheduled for 5:30 PM local time in London, which corresponds to 12:30 PM on the US East Coast and 9:30 AM on the West Coast. The match will be broadcast live in the UK on Sky Sports Football and Sky One, and in the US on CBS Sports Golazo and streaming service, PARAMOUNT+.
As Arsenal seeks to regain their winning form, the match against Manchester United serves as a test of their current squad and as a potential turning point in their season. The presence of new signings Geraldine Reuteler and Selina Cerci on the bench adds additional excitement, as fans look forward to seeing how these players integrate into the team.
In the broader scope of the Women’s Super League, this matchup could have implications for the title race, particularly with Chelsea recently defeating Birmingham 2-0 and moving up to second place in the standings. A win for Arsenal could propel them back into contention, whereas a loss could set them back as they navigate a challenging upcoming schedule.
With the stakes high and both teams eager to claim victory, the atmosphere at Emirates Stadium is expected to be electric. The fans will play a key role in supporting their teams, and the outcome of this match could resonate throughout the league.
As the teams prepare to take the field, attention will turn to the players and their performances. Arsenal fans will be particularly hopeful that the changes made by Slegers will yield positive results, restoring the team’s confidence and momentum as they aim for success in both domestic and European competitions.
The match will likely be a thrilling encounter, and with the kickoff just around the corner, anticipation is building for what could be a defining moment in the season.