‘We have the team’ – now Arsenal want Chelsea’s WSL crown

Steph Catley, the champions of the Champions League, says there can be “no excuses” if Chelsea loses the Women’s Super League title this year.

Six successive league titles have been won as a result of Chelsea’s dominance.

In 2019, Arsenal won the WSL for the first time ever.

They have fallen behind domestically in recent seasons despite being the only English team to twice triumph in the Women’s Champions League.

Catley believes that the Gunners can overtake their London rivals in the WSL now, inspired by their May victory.

Catley stated in the podcast of BBC Radio 5 Live’s Women’s Football Weekly that “when you win something as big as [the Champions League], you have a target on your back.”

“You should continue to do amazing things, as is expected.” We probably should have won more money than we probably could have and probably should have.

There are really no justifications. The team is there. Everything is in place thanks to us. It’s about putting those expectations into practice and living up to them.

According to Catley, consistency is what Arsenal were building last term, and he believes that this is what makes a team successful. Renee Slegers was appointed as interim head coach after a poor season-opening resulted in the dismissal of manager Jonas Eidevall.

Before the team sealed European glory by defeating Barcelona in Lisbon, Slegers enjoyed great success and was appointed on a permanent basis.

Catley claims that the Arsenal squad and Slegers have been “working closely together this summer to understand what makes them tick.

Our goal is to remain consistent from round one and keep that up. You can’t afford [to dip in form], allegedly,” Catley added.

I believe we can take away from Chelsea’s habit of being able to win when they play football that isn’t at their best, and I believe that’s something they can learn from them.

The Lionesses, who won the title at Euro 2025, have enjoyed great success this summer.

Beth Mead, the England winger, claims that the players will be able to develop as a result of their success both professionally and personally.

It’s crucial to gain that knowledge and comprehend what it takes for this team to succeed. We must now conduct it domestically,” Mead remarked.

We aspire to win every trophy, which we do, of course. An Arsenal team must have that as their goal. We must stop talking and publish it every week.

Alessia Russo, who scored 12 goals for England in the Champions League last season and also won the WSL Golden Boot with Khadija Shaw from Manchester City, claims the squad has been “spurred on” by their success.

I had a childhood dream of winning the Champions League. You feel a need for more after winning a trophy, Russo said.

“We’re all very motivated to keep going and make a strong start to the season. The stakes are certainly higher, and I hope that fans will expect that because we anticipate it.

Arsenal’s transfer window has improved, surpassing the previous record by making Canadian forward Olivia Smith the first £1 million player in the women’s game.

Additionally, they have permanently signed England international Taylor Hinds and signed former Liverpool vice-captain Taylor Hinds.

Mead and Kelly will battle it out for a starting spot in the starting XI.

We have some very good players in the squad and the positions I play, Mead said, “It’s a fresh season, a fresh chapter,” Mead continued.

I’m here to compete, I say. When I have the chance to compete, I play the best football. We will improve as players.

When Tobin Heath and Nikita Parris signed for one season in the past, things had to change.

Renee[/s] is likely to make a lot of decisions and headaches.

Arsenal’s season-wide success comes as another bonus with the confirmation that Emirates Stadium will host both their home and all of their WSL and European games.

On Saturday, Arsenal travel to the promoted and aspirant London City Lionesses, with the newcomers out to create a sensation at the start of the season and making their own statement in the impressive arena.

Simply put, it gives you a buzz. Our supporters are among the highest calibre for the number of people we can transport. We are incredibly fortunate to have them. You get used to that, Catley said.

It will give us a huge advantage. Nobody wants to play in it because it’s like a fortress. It’s bad for them, I suppose.