Arsenal Women are set to face Brighton & Hove Albion Women in a crucial Barclays Women’s Super League fixture. The match is scheduled for Monday, May 5, with a kick-off time of 4 pm UK time at Broadfield Stadium in Crawley. This match is the penultimate game of the arsenal women schedule.
Securing Second Place in the WSL
This game holds significant importance for Arsenal women fc in the league standings. Following Chelsea being crowned league champions, the focus for Arsenal is on consolidating their position in the top spots. A win against Brighton at Broadfield Stadium guarantees Arsenal 2nd place in the WSL with a game to spare. This would ensure they finish above Manchester United, whom they are scheduled to face in their final WSL game. As of May 4, 2025, Arsenal are in 2nd place in the WSL table with 45 points from 20 games, while Manchester United are 3rd with 44 points from 21 games. Manchester City are 4th with 40 points from 21 games. Securing 2nd place is crucial for UEFA Champions League qualification.
Arsenal’s Dominance Over Brighton
The Arsenal women fixtures against Brighton have historically been characterized by significant dominance from the North London club. Arsenal have an exceptional record, having won all 13 of their WSL games against Brighton & Hove Albion. This represents the best 100%-win rate one team holds over another in the league. Since Brighton’s promotion to the top flight in the 2018-19 season, Arsenal have not dropped a single WSL point against them.
Furthermore, Arsenal’s victories against Brighton are often by considerable margins. Brighton have lost all six of their home league games against Arsenal with a striking aggregate score of 0-23, and they have conceded 3 or more goals in each of those home defeats.
The teams have already met twice this season, with Arsenal securing comfortable victories on both occasions. In the reverse WSL fixture played at Emirates Stadium on November 8, 2024, Arsenal won convincingly 5-0. The goals in that match came from Beth Mead, Caitlin Foord, Frida Maanum, Lina Hurtig, and Alessia Russo, who scored a penalty. In the League Cup Quarter-finals in January 2025, also played at Broadfield Stadium, Arsenal won 4-0 with goals from Frida Maanum, Katie McCabe, Kyra Cooney-Cross, and Mariona Caldentey. The previous WSL season also saw a 5-0 victory for Arsenal over Brighton on May 18, 2024.
A Season of European Success
Beyond their domestic league campaign, Arsenal has also enjoyed remarkable success in European competition this season. Arsenal will compete in the UEFA Women’s Champions League (UWCL) final. They earned their place in the final by defeating eight-time winners Lyon in the semi-finals, winning the second leg away 4-1 and triumphing 5-3 on aggregate. This marks the club’s first European final appearance since 2007 and their second time reaching the final, 18 years after they won the competition when it was known as the UEFA Women’s Cup. The final against current holders Barcelona is scheduled to be played in Lisbon next month.
Recent Form and Team News
Arsenal’s most recent outing was a surprise 5-2 defeat away at Aston Villa. This followed the high-emotion Champions League semi-final win against Lyon. Interim manager Renee Slegers made seven changes to the starting lineup for the Villa match. Slegers commented after the Aston Villa game that her team needed to ‘neutralise’ following the high of the Lyon victory and the disappointment at Villa. She anticipates a more familiar-looking starting lineup for the final two games of the season. Arsenal’s season saw a poor start under former manager Jonas Eidevall, but their form improved under Slegers.
For Brighton, they are expected to be without the injured Madison Haley, and there is uncertainty whether Vicky Losada will be fit.
Alessia Russo’s Impact
Alessia Russo has been a key player for Arsenal this season. She is expected to return to the starting lineup to lead the attack against Brighton. Russo currently leads the WSL Golden Boot race, level on 12 goals with Khadija Shaw, but ahead due to having one more assist. She has scored 12 goals in 19 league appearances this season. Russo has also been effective in the UWCL, scoring eight times. She played the most minutes (1727) for Arsenal in the WSL this season. Her performances were recognized at the 2025 Women’s Football Awards where she won the Player of the Year award alongside Chelsea’s Lauren James.
A Look at Brighton’s Season
While Arsenal aim for second place, Brighton & Hove Albion can reflect on what the sources suggest has been a positive season for them. This is their seventh consecutive season in the top flight. Under new head coach Dario Vidošić, appointed on July 10, 2024, they have performed well enough to currently sit in 5th place in the WSL table with 25 points from 20 games. Their season record includes 7 wins, 4 draws, and 9 losses.
Brighton have also had runs in the domestic cup competitions, reaching the Fifth Round of the Women’s FA Cup and the Quarter-finals of the FA Women’s League Cup. Their journey in the League Cup ended with a 4-0 defeat to Arsenal. In the league, they secured a significant result by taking points from Manchester United, drawing 1-1 in October 2024. Their biggest WSL win was a 4-0 victory over Everton.
Brighton have aimed to develop their identity beyond merely surviving in the league. They can play with freedom. Manchester City manager Nick Cushing has expressed his belief that Brighton are moving towards potentially becoming a Women’s Champions League club if they continue their current progress. Key players like Fran Kirby and Nikita Parris have contributed significantly, both being the team’s top league goalscorers with 6 goals each, with Parris leading overall with 11 goals. Brighton’s season highlights a determination to compete and establish themselves as a solid WSL side. They will be looking to secure 5th place, aiming for the tag of ‘best of the rest’.
Conclusion
Arsenal enter this match as clear favorites based on their historical record against Brighton and their need to secure 2nd place. Despite a recent league defeat following their European high, the return to a potentially stronger lineup and the opportunity to cement their WSL position provides strong motivation. Brighton, having had a commendable season and playing without the pressure of relegation, will likely seek to challenge Arsenal, though their historical struggles in this fixture, particularly at home with high concessions, present a significant hurdle.
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