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Pre-match: Arsenal v Chelsea BBC Radio 5 Live This video can not be played Arsenal beat Chelsea 3-1 in first leg of Women's Champions League quarter-final - read the report Superb Russo finish restores Arsenal's two-goal advantage James pulls goal back for Chelsea with incredible strike Blackstenius heads in opener before Kelly's long-range strike Chelsea's Buurman has header controversially ruled out Second leg on 1 April Have your say using 'Get Involved' button on this page Emily Salley Arsenal v Chelsea (20: 00 GMT) It's fair to say Chelsea are going through a fairly tough period at the moment. After dropping points against London City Lionesses at the weekend, they sit third in the Women's Super League and a seventh straight title looks far from likely. To make matters worse, the Blues have a lengthy injury list. Only eight outfield players were involved in training on Monday. But Sonia Bompastor insists that it's "not a crisis". "This is what happens when you’re challenging.

Sometimes you’re in moments where you have to deal with who is available, " she said. "I still think we have a lot of quality and

we’ll have strengths to use. " Arsenal v Chelsea (20: 00 GMT) Fran Kirby Brighton forward on BBC Radio 5 Live at Emirates Stadium Chelsea have had some really tough games coming into this. You could see the fatigue creeping in on the weekend, and they didn't have enough players to bring in. Having Ellie Carpenter back on the bench is a real plus. We don't know how many minutes she's going to get, just coming back from Australia. It's a depleted squad for them, and not many in training yesterday to get their legs going. It's going to be a really interesting game for them to see how they adapt to their situation. Will they go for high pressure or try to keep the damage as low as possible to go back to Stamford Bridge next week? Click the yellow 'Get involved' box at the top of this page Looking at that Chelsea back three. .. Buchanan is returning from long term injury, Girma has been somewhat injury prone and Buurman is still very young - although has looked excellent. No recognised no. 9 available either - but no excuses about injuries as every team gets them. I fear the worst. James, Glasgow Arsenal v Chelsea (20: 00 GMT) BBC Two We're 30 minutes away from kick-off and build-up has just started over on BBC Two. So grab your remotes or click the 'watch live' button at the top of this page to tune in. Arsenal v Chelsea (20: 00 GMT) Ellen White Former England striker on BBC Women's Football Weekly You don't want to be chasing a game, so Arsenal have almost got to shut up shop. It needs to be quite a conservative game at the Emirates to have something to hold onto to take to Stamford Bridge. Then hopefully, they will have Steph Catley, Caitlin Foord, and Kyra Cooney-Cross back, maybe even Leah Williamson, so back to full strength. I think they have to put in a big performance. They've done it before multiple times in Europe as well. We saw it last season. Arsenal v Chelsea (20: 00 GMT) Emma Sanders BBC Sport women’s football news reporter at Emirates This is always a huge game between Arsenal and Chelsea but to battle it out in the Champions League quarter-finals, adds more spice. There is expected to be around 20, 000 in the stands at the Emirates which is a decent crowd for a midweek match. Chelsea's squad is depleted with injuries and there is no Sam Kerr after just returning from the Asian Cup. Can Arsenal take advantage? The Gunners are missing players themselves but looking at the two squads, Renee Slegers will feel she has enough depth. The defending European champions will be licking their lips at the prospect of potentially knocking out their London rivals. They will want to get off to a good start in the first leg at home, knowing a trip to Stamford Bridge is coming up next week. Arsenal v Chelsea (20: 00 GMT) Siobhan Chamberlain Former Arsenal and Chelsea goalkeeper on BBC Radio 5 Live Chelsea will definitely have something that they've got to prove. I think it's frustrated them for many a season that they haven't managed to win that trophy. They have been relentless in winning domestic trophies, whether it's cups or the league. But the one that has eluded them so long is the Champions League. Then Arsenal came out of nowhere last year, they weren't expected to win it, but they beat Barcelona in the final. That would have frustrated every Chelsea player and supporter. Arsenal v Chelsea (20: 00 GMT) Ellen White Former England striker on Football Focus For Chelsea, it feels like the Champions League is the one that’s always got away. They’ve just got that winning mentality. Yes, they’ve had some mixed results. Since they were knocked out of the Champions league against Barcelona last season, they’ve only lost three games. But they haven’t performed as well as you’d anticipate. Lauren James has been tremendous – she’s a real superstar – but it’s about that consistency for her. Arsenal v Chelsea (20: 00 GMT) Arsenal have reached a pivotal point in their season and Chloe Kelly has hit form just in time. The England forward ended a six-month goal drought on Saturday when she scored a hat-trick against West Ham. It was the first time Kelly, who has struggled with injuries since scoring the Lionesses winning penalty at the Euros in the summer, had scored more than once in almost three years. "We missed Chloe when she was away with injury, " said Renee Slegers on Saturday. "She's back now and she's the best version of Chloe Kelly. She's in a great place. This video can not be played Kelly scores a hat-trick as Arsenal thrash West Ham Click the yellow 'Get involved' box at the top of this page Game on. Chelsea will be unable to field a really strong team. However it’s what it is. I believe their resilience will prevail. So 0-1, 1-1 or 2-1 will do and next Wednesday we will prevail. John, Ealing Arsenal v Chelsea (20: 00 GMT) Right, let's hear your thoughts for tonight's game! How will Chelsea cope without key injured players? Can Arsenal stretch their winning streak? And make sure to give us your score predictions - a cagey affair or a goal fest? Get in touch using the 'get involved' button at the top of the page. Arsenal v Chelsea (20: 00 GMT) Want to get in the mood for tonight's all-English showdown? Ben

Haines, Ellen White and Jen Beattie have been discussing it on the new Women's Football Weekly podcast Listen here. Arsenal v Chelsea (20: 00 GMT) Ellen White Former England striker on Football Focus Arsenal have to keep it tight. They’ve got to get a good

result at the Emirates to take to Stamford Bridge. Chelsea have to put on a big

performance. I can’t call it. It’s been

a wild Champions League, but if they were to get over the mark and into the semi-final,

it’s only two more games to the final. Arsenal v Chelsea (20: 00 GMT) Siobhan Chamberlain Former Arsenal and Chelsea goalkeeper on BBC Radio 5 Live You very rarely see a team from the same country meeting in these competitions, so it's a frustration for me because I'd love to see both teams get through to the semi-finals. Unfortunately, one is definitely getting knocked out, but you can spin it and say at least one English team is making it to the semi-final. I'm really looking forward to this match. Arsenal v Chelsea (20: 00 GMT) A place in the quarter-finals isn't the only thing Arsenal and Chelsea are fighting between themselves for. With only four games remaining in the WSL this term, the race for Champions League football next season is heating up. Chelsea currently sit third - the final European spot, which would mean a place in the qualifiers - while Arsenal sit just two points behind, albeit with two games in hand. It adds an extra bit of edge to an already high-stakes encounter. Arsenal v Chelsea (20: 00 GMT) Emma Sanders BBC Sport women’s football news reporter at Emirates Renee Slegers makes three changes to the Arsenal team who recorded an emphatic 5-0 win over West Ham. Emily Fox and Katie Mc Cabe return at full-back, while Beth Mead comes in for Olivia Smith in attack. The Australian internationals who played in the Asian Cup final are not in the squad due to the short turnaround. Arsenal XI: Borbe, Fox, Wubben-Moy, Codina, Mc Cabe, Little, Caldentey, Russo, Mead, Kelly, Blackstenius. Subs: Votikova, Van Domselaar, Maanum, Smith, Hinds, Pelova, Holmberg, Harwood. There are five changes to the Chelsea side who dropped points at London City Lionesses on the weekend. Regular starters Lucy Bronze, Keira Walsh, Sandy Baltimore, Naomi Girma and Lauren James all return as expected. Australian defender Ellie Carpenter, who returned from the Asian Cup yesterday and trained, is named on the bench. Chelsea XI: Hampton, Buurman, Nusken, Cuthbert, James, Thompson, Girma, Baltimore, Bronze, Buchanan, Walsh. Subs: Peng, Spencer, Kaneryd, Kaptein, Sarwie, Carpenter, Potter, Storey, Shooter. Arsenal v Chelsea (20: 00 GMT) Let's start off with some team news. .. Thanks for joining us for tonight's all-English Women's Champions League quarter-final. Chelsea are looking to take a step closer to that elusive trophy - the only one missing from their cabinet. But Arsenal are only British side that has ever won it. And they're the holders. We'll bring you all drama as it happens, in what should be a fascinating evening of football. Settle in! The champions of Europe versus the champions of England. An all-English classic under the lights. This should be fun. .. This video can not be played Russo settles thrilling Champions League first-leg for Arsenal At a glance Alyssa Thompson and Lauren James hit the post for Chelsea in the opening eight minutes. Stina Blackstenius' header puts Arsenal ahead before Chloe Kelly's long-range strike makes it 2-0. Alessia Russo confirms victory late on. Veerle Buurman has a goal controversially disallowed for Chelsea in the first half but James' stunning lob gets one back for them. PLAYER RATER Holders Arsenal put themselves in a strong position to advance with victory in the first leg of their Women's Champions League quarter-final tie with London rivals Chelsea. Renee Slegers' side scored two goals in the first half to deal a blow to visitors Chelsea and confirmed victory through Alessia Russo late on. An outrageous lob from Lauren James in the second half threatened a comeback from Chelsea but it did not materialise. James had earlier hit the post – as did team-mate Alyssa Thompson – before audaciously chipping goalkeeper Anneke Borbe from outside the box. However, that was not enough to overturn the result after Stina Blackstenius and Chloe Kelly's goals in the first half had helped set the tone. Victory puts the Gunners in the driving seat before next Wednesday's second leg at Stamford Bridge as they attempt to defend their European crown. Chelsea manager Sonia Bompastor was without several players because of injury and the Asian Cup and the lack of squad depth was apparent. And they will be frustrated at having a goal disallowed in the first half as Veerle Buurman was ruled to have pushed Laia Codina – a decision replays showed was soft. The Blues are left with plenty to do at home against an Arsenal side continuing the fine form they have shown since the start of 2026. Women's game needs more respect - Bompastor This video can not be played The tie is nowhere near done - Russo European champions Arsenal were brimming with confidence before kick-off having not lost a game at the Emirates since a 2-1 loss to Lyon approaching a year ago on 19 April 2025. They are on a 10-game winning streak in all competitions following this result and have kept clean sheets in their last five WSL matches. And they played like a team peaking at the right time. After weathering a 15-minute storm in the first half, they took over proceedings in front of an 18, 000-strong crowd. Goalkeeper Borbe's right post came to their savour on a few occasions early on but Chelsea were penned deeper and deeper as the game wore on. Blackstenius' deft touch to head in Katie Mc Cabe's cross gave them the lead they needed and Kelly capitalised on a period of control with a stunning long-range effort, though England team-mate Hannah Hampton will be frustrated she could not get a hand to it. Kelly's habit of delivering in the big moments for club and country is very welcome to Arsenal and she was oozing confidence after her hat-trick against West Ham on the weekend. And in the second half, just as James had given Chelsea a lifeline, Russo dealt the final blow – taking one touch to control the ball before firing it expertly past Hampton to make it 3-1. Overall, the match was the perfect way to start this mouthwatering battle between two London rivals, though Arsenal will know there remains a job to do in the second leg at Stamford Bridge next Wednesday (20: 00 GMT). But on current form, Slegers' side will fancy themselves to reach the last four. This video can not be played 'One of the best goals I've seen' - James curls Chelsea back into quarter-final After winning the Women's League Cup, Chelsea will have been eager to build momentum and go after the one trophy they want more than any other. It eluded them under former manager Emma Hayes and it would have been painful to see Arsenal defeat Barcelona last season, having failed to do so themselves on so many occasions. A chance to reach the semi-finals, with victory over their London rivals Arsenal, would be the perfect way to do it but they may have left themselves too much to do. They started out brightly at the Emirates, hitting the woodwork through Thompson and James in the opening eight minutes and were unfortunate that Veerle Buurman's goal was disallowed for an apparent push on Laia Codina, a decision which looked soft. But they were punished by Arsenal's ruthlessness and looked out of sorts yet again for large periods of the game – a flaw which has been all too common this season. Chelsea's squad is thin with injuries mounting up and Australian international Ellie Carpenter only made the bench following her return from the Asian Cup final, which was played on Saturday. Striker Sam Kerr was not involved at all – but that cannot be the only reason they have dropped off this campaign. That lack of depth did however mean Sonia Bompastor could do little to change things as the match progressed. Failure to progress to the semi-finals in a season in which their WSL form has also dipped would be a huge disappointment for the Blues so it will be their biggest game of the season to date when Arsenal arrive for the second leg next week. It's a big week for Arsenal as they welcome north London rivals Tottenham to the Emirates on Saturday, 28 March (17: 30 GMT) in their next Women's Super League match. Chelsea return to league action when they host Aston Villa on Sunday, 29 March (12: 00 GMT). The second leg between Chelsea and Arsenal takes place at Stamford Bridge on 1 April at 20: 00 GMT. After the opportunity to rate players has closed, the score displayed represents the average from all the submissions by BBC Sport users. Head here to get involved Get the latest WSL news on our dedicated page Comments can not be loaded To load Comments you need to enable Java Script in your browser Manager: Renee Slegers Formation: 4 - 2 - 3 - 1 Manager: Sonia Bompastor Formation: 3 - 5 - 2 Manager: Renee Slegers Formation: 4 - 2 - 3 - 1 Manager: Sonia Bompastor Formation: 3 - 5 - 2 To watch and listen, you need to enable Java Script in your browser. Pre-match: Arsenal v Chelsea. BBC Radio 5 Live. Audio Pre-match: Arsenal v Chelsea BBC Radio 5 Live UEFA Women's Champions League All competitions All competitions All competitions Copyright © 2026 BBC. 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