A Special Connection

Arsenal defender Steph Catley has officially put pen to paper on a new contract with the club. The talented Australian international expressed her delight after the official announcement on Tuesday morning. Catley joined the Gunners from Melbourne City back in the summer of 2020 and has since become a vital component of the squad. She admitted that making the decision to extend her stay was incredibly easy. “There really is nowhere else that I would rather be,” Catley told the official club media.

Overcoming Early Struggles

The journey in England has not always been straightforward for the experienced defender. Catley openly discussed the difficulties she faced upon initially arriving in a completely unfamiliar country. She suffered a significant injury during her very first training session and missed almost the entirety of her debut season. Being so far away from her family in Australia made that period incredibly challenging to navigate. She eventually settled into the environment and began growing significantly as both a person and a player.

Building A True Home

Finding a genuine sense of belonging is often difficult for overseas professionals in the modern game. Catley believes the friendships she has forged at the club make the current squad feel more like an actual family. She noted the massive sacrifices Australian players make when deciding to ply their trade on the other side of the world. “I do not think many footballers can say that a club really does feel like home,” the defender explained. Catley follows teammate Stina Blackstenius in committing her future to the Arsenal project this week.

Also read: Ona Batlle Set for Return to England as Former Manchester United Women Star Close to Agreeing Arsenal Move as Free Agent This Summer

Arsenal Women host Leicester City Women in a Wednesday evening Women’s Super League fixture at Emirates Stadium as Renée Slegers’ side look to extend their winning run while keeping one eye on Saturday’s Champions League semi-final second leg at Lyon. The Gunners carry a 2-1 advantage to France after Olivia Smith’s winner completed a dramatic turnaround at the Emirates, with an Ingrid Syrstad Engen own goal also helping the cause.

Kick off: 19:00 BST, Wednesday, April 29, 2026 

Venue: Emirates Stadium, London 

TV: Sky Sports (UK)

Leicester Arrive in Freefall With Survival on the Line

Rick Passmoor’s side have lost eight consecutive WSL matches and remain without a single away win this season. Sunday’s 5-1 thrashing at London City Lionesses was another damaging blow, and defeat on Wednesday would confirm them in last place with two games remaining. With the WSL expanding to 14 teams next season, automatic relegation is avoided, but a playoff against the third placed WSL2 side still awaits.

Gunners Boast a Flawless Record Against the Foxes

Arsenal have won all nine previous WSL meetings with Leicester, scoring 33 goals and conceding just four across those contests. The reverse fixture in November ended 4-1 to the Gunners, with Stina Blackstenius grabbing a brace. Alessia Russo carries a remarkable record of 10 goal involvements in just six WSL starts against this opposition.

Predicted Lineups:

Arsenal (4-3-3): Van Domselaar; Holmberg, Wubben-Moy, Codina, Hinds; Pelova, Little, Maanum; Smith, Russo, Foord

Leicester (3-5-2): Clark; Thibaud, Kees, Swaby; Mayling, McLoughlin, Tierney, Jansson, Neville; O’Brien, Williams

Also read: Everton Women and London City Lionesses Confirmed for Inaugural World Sevens Football Tournament at Brentford Gtech Stadium in May

Arsenal goalkeeper Daphne van Domselaar has declared she’s looking forward to facing Lyon in the Champions League semi-finals after the Gunners progressed past Chelsea in the quarter-finals.

The Dutch international spoke ahead of Sunday’s first leg at the Emirates Stadium, revealing her excitement at getting another crack at the French champions following last season’s semi-final clash.

Van Domselaar reflected positively on her recent international break with the Netherlands, where they took four points from two matches against France to move top of their 2027 FIFA Women’s World Cup qualifying group. The goalkeeper was pleased with how the team performed despite being down several players through injury.

Positive Memories From Last Season’s Lyon Tie

The 24-year-old recalled fond memories from Arsenal’s semi-final victory over Lyon last season, though she watched the first leg from the stands due to injury before returning for the second leg in France. “Being able to put on such a good performance when we needed it was something I loved,” van Domselaar explained.

She added that the atmosphere in Lyon was excellent and creating positive memories during that tie gives Arsenal confidence heading into this year’s semi-final. The Gunners will be hoping to use home advantage in the first leg before travelling to France for the return fixture.

Busy End to Season Ahead

Van Domselaar acknowledged Arsenal face a hectic schedule between now and the end of May, with seven matches still to play plus a potential final if they progress past Lyon. “We’ve got important games in the league as well, and being able to play for the final in the Champions League is a big thing,” she stated.

The goalkeeper also won the Barclays WSL Save of the Month award for March.

Also read: Leah Williamson Makes England Return From Injury as Arsenal Captain Starts World Cup Qualifier in Iceland Before Being Subbed at Halftime