Arsenal Women return to Emirates Stadium on Sunday looking to make it two wins from two in the Women’s Super League.
Renée Slegers’ side began the new campaign with a hard-fought 1-0 victory away to Brighton, with summer signing Lisa Baum scoring the winner.
Crystal Palace also arrive with three points after Lexi Lloyd-Smith secured a 1-0 victory over Everton on their return to the WSL.
Sunday therefore gives Arsenal an early opportunity to maintain their perfect start before a difficult run against Manchester United and Chelsea.
Arsenal summer rebuild already making an impact
Four of Arsenal’s summer arrivals started against Brighton.
Misa Rodríguez, Ona Batlle, Georgia Stanway and Baum were all immediately trusted by Slegers, with the new additions playing decisive roles.
Rodríguez made an important early save before Baum produced the individual goal that separated the sides.
ReadArsenal examined how four new signings made an immediate impact at Brighton, with Arsenal’s extensive summer rebuild already changing the composition of Slegers’ starting XI.
The challenge against Palace will be turning that encouraging opening result into a more controlled performance.
Arsenal created enough chances at Brighton to make the final stages more comfortable but were unable to find a second goal.
That gives Slegers something to improve on at the Emirates.
Crystal Palace arrive with momentum and uncertainty
Palace returned to the WSL at the first attempt under Jo Potter after earning promotion last season.
They immediately showed they should not be underestimated.
Lloyd-Smith scored the only goal against Everton as Palace began their campaign with a victory, while their defensive organisation helped protect the advantage.
However, the result remains under investigation.
Palace used substitutes across four separate stoppages during the second half, exceeding the three substitution windows permitted under WSL rules.
The matter has been referred to an independent tribunal, with potential outcomes reportedly including a points deduction or replay. No final ruling had been announced at the time of writing.
ReadArsenal has the full background in our Crystal Palace substitution breach explainer.
Whatever happens off the pitch, Arsenal will have to deal with a Palace side arriving after a confidence-building result.
Arsenal already know the threat Palace can pose
These teams have already met once this summer.
Palace took the lead in an August friendly through Shanade Hopcroft before Baum equalised and Chloe Kelly completed a 2-1 Arsenal comeback.
That meeting came during pre-season and both sides changed heavily, but it demonstrated Palace’s ability to make Arsenal work.
Competitive history is more one-sided.
During Palace’s previous WSL campaign in 2024/25, Arsenal won both league meetings — 5-0 at home and 4-0 away. Palace’s own match centre records two Arsenal wins from those two previous WSL encounters.
Slegers will expect Arsenal to impose themselves again on Sunday.
Arsenal Women vs Crystal Palace key details
The game takes place at Emirates Stadium on Sunday, 13 September, with kick-off at 2.45pm BST. Arsenal’s official fixture information confirms the date, venue and start time.
The fixture is being shown live on BBC.
Supporters can find the complete Arsenal Women vs Crystal Palace TV channel and live stream guide before Sunday’s game.
A victory would move Arsenal onto six points before Manchester United visit the Emirates six days later.
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