Arsenal Women Secure 2-1 Win Over Manchester City in Pre-Season Friendly
Photo by Justin Setterfield/Getty Images
Arsenal Women have shown promising form in their pre-season with a 2-1 behind-closed-doors victory against Manchester City Women. This result came as Arsenal prepared for the upcoming campaign, showcasing contributions from both seasoned players and new signings.
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The encounter took place at the Sobha Realty Training Centre, serving as an important test ahead of Arsenal’s concluding pre-season matches.
Stina Blackstenius opened the scoring for Arsenal, converting a corner assisted by Chloe Kelly. Shortly before halftime, Lauren Hemp equalized for Manchester City.
As the match progressed, the decisive goal came late in the second half, facilitated by two of Arsenal’s new signings. Selina Cerci set up Lisa Baum, who skillfully rounded the goalkeeper to secure the victory.
This match marked Arsenal’s last behind-closed-doors friendly before they shift to public pre-season matches at Mangata Developments Stadium in Borehamwood.
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Fans can look forward to Arsenal’s next matches, including a clash against Paris FC on Sunday at 1pm, and a game against Charlton Athletic the following Wednesday at 7pm.
The encouraging result highlighted Blackstenius’s consistent goal-scoring form, Kelly’s effective set-piece execution, and a strong partnership formed by Cerci and Baum that led to the winning goal.
While the friendly produced positive outcomes, it remains a training exercise, and the performances should be interpreted within the context of Arsenal’s broader preparations for the 2026-27 Women’s Super League season.
Arsenal will kick off their competitive season away to Brighton & Hove Albion at 12pm on Sunday, 6 September.
Photo by Richard Heathcote/Getty Images
Stina Blackstenius, Chloe Kelly and two summer signings all made key contributions as Arsenal continued their build-up to the new WSL season.
Photo by Justin Setterfield/Getty Images
Arsenal Women continued their pre-season preparations with a 2-1 behind-closed-doors victory over Manchester City Women, as familiar faces and new arrivals combined to produce an encouraging result ahead of the new campaign.
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The match at the Sobha Realty Training Centre provided another valuable test for Arsenal before their remaining pre-season games.
Stina Blackstenius gave Set Piece FC Arsenal the lead by converting a corner from Chloe Kelly, before Lauren Hemp levelled for Manchester City shortly before half-time.
The winning goal arrived late in the game through two of Arsenal’s new signings.
Selina Cerci released Lisa Baum, who rounded the goalkeeper before finishing to secure a 2-1 victory.
The fixture was Arsenal’s final behind-closed-doors friendly before they return to public pre-season action at Mangata Developments Stadium in Borehamwood.
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They will face Paris FC on Sunday at 1pm before taking on Charlton Athletic the following Wednesday at 7pm.
The result offered further encouragement ahead of the new season. Blackstenius continued her goalscoring form, Kelly again demonstrated her creativity from set-pieces, and Cerci and Baum combined effectively for the winning goal.
As a training-ground fixture, however, the result and individual performances should be viewed as part of Arsenal’s preparations rather than a definitive indication of how either side will begin the 2026-27 Women’s Super League campaign.
Arsenal’s competitive season begins away to Brighton & Hove Albion at 12pm on Sunday, 6 September.
Photo by Richard Heathcote/Getty Images
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