West Ham United women’s team v Arsenal
Barclays Women's Super League, Chigwell Construction Stadium, Friday 12 September 2025, 7.30pm BST
West Ham United women’s team return to Chigwell Construction Stadium on Friday night for our first competitive fixture at home in over four months.
In front of the Sky Sports cameras, Rehanne Skinner’s side will play host to UEFA Women’s Champions League holders Arsenal under the lights in east London, where there is sure to be a terrific atmosphere.
The two teams met in August at Mangata Developments Stadium Meadow Park for a pre-season friendly, in which a second-half brace from Frida Maanum wrapped up a 2-0 victory for the Gunners. Coming off the bench, the Norway international rounded off the scoring in Arsenal’s opening-day 4-1 success at home to London City Lionesses on Saturday afternoon at Emirates Stadium.
It’s a second London derby on the bounce for the Hammers, who will be looking to bounce back from Sunday’s 1-0 loss at Tottenham Hotspur - and here’s everything you need to know ahead of the game.
Tickets...
Make sure you’re at Chigwell Construction Stadium on Friday evening by securing your seat. Tickets can be purchased HERE, priced from £15 for Adults and £5 U18s.
Please note, Chigwell Construction Stadium has now gone cashless.
How To Follow…
Friday’s London derby against Arsenal will be broadcast on Sky Sports for viewers in the United Kingdom, with coverage from Chigwell Construction Stadium commencing at 7pm BST on Sky Sports Premier League.
Alternatively, you can keep up to date with the game via our live blog on whufc.com and by following our social media channels.
We’ll also have a report, reaction and highlights up on the website after the full-time whistle.
Travel…
The most convenient way to reach Chigwell Construction Stadium is by public transport.
Dagenham East station on the London Underground's District line is situated about 500 metres from the ground. On exiting the station, turn left, and the ground is in Victoria Road, which is the fifth turning on the left-hand side after about 400 metres. You will see the stadium at the end of the cul-de-sac.
For those travelling by bus, fans can take the 103 from either Romford railway station, which is served by Greater Anglia, TfL's Elizabeth line, and London Overground, or Rainham station, which is served by c2c rail services. The 103 has stops on both sides of Rainham Road South, just north of Victoria Road.
Supporters using public transport are advised to check their journeys before they travel, using resources such as TfL’s Journey Planner and the TfL Go app. Supporters may also wish to visit the National Rail website if travelling on the rail network.
No parking is available at Chigwell Construction Stadium. Street parking in the local area is available, but motorists should take note of restrictions.
Pre-match events...
Ahead of kick-off, ticket holders will have the chance to meet West Ham United legend Kate Longhurst!
Our record WSL appearance maker will be available to sign autographs between 6.30pm-7pm BST in the Ted Hardy Suite, located inside the Dagenham & Redbridge Clubhouse at Chigwell Construction Stadium.
Longhurst, who was a member of our first-ever professional women’s team in 2018, represented her childhood club 130 times over half a decade, including an appearance in the 2019 Women’s FA Cup final at Wembley.
Also, Hammerhead will be in attendance around the ground, so make sure to hello!
Opposition...
Arsenal head into Friday's clash following their opening-day victory over newly-promoted London City Lionesses on Saturday, in which Olivia Smith, Chloe Kelly, Stina Blackstenius and Maanum scored in a 4-1 success.
It was the perfect start for Renée Slegers and her side, who will hope to knock Chelsea off top spot this season having watched the Blues lift the last six Barclays Women’s Super League titles.
The Gunners, with four top-flight titles to their name, may have finished 12 points behind Sonia Bompastor’s side last season, but they more than made up for it when they beat Barcelona 1-0 to lift the UEFA Women’s Champions League trophy in May.
Blackstenius' goal late in the day in Lisbon helped the Gunners win the continental title for the second time in their history and crown a successful campaign for Slegers’ side, after the Dutch head coach replaced Swede Jonas Eidevall in the dugout midway through last season.
After the departure of Eidevall in October 2024, Slegers’ first league game in charge of Arsenal came against West Ham at Chigwell Construction Stadium. Much like when the two sides met in a pre-season friendly in August, the Hammers were resolute, but beaten by two second-half goals.
At that point, Slegers was in the dugout on an interim basis, but in January was appointed as the club’s permanent head coach. The former 55-times capped Netherlands international has taken charge of Arsenal 33 times in all competitions, losing only seven.
The Gunners made four signings in the summer transfer window.
First through the door was Chloe Kelly, who signed a permanent contract after spending the second half of last season on loan from Manchester City. In 13 appearances across all competitions last term, England international Kelly - who made 19 appearances for Arsenal between 2015 and 2018 - netted twice and contributed five assists.
Another player who returned to north London is Taylor Hinds, who joined on a free transfer after the expiration of her contract at Liverpool. Full-back Hinds made 131 appearances in five seasons with Liverpool, scoring eight goals.
Then, following the arrival of Germany U19 international Anneke Borbe, Arsenal completed a world-record deal to sign attacker Olivia Smith from Liverpool.
There were 13 departures from Arsenal over the summer - including loans and permanent deals. Headlining the list was Lia Walti, who joined Juventus after spending seven years in north London, making 183 appearances, and England's European Championship hero Michelle Agyemang, who rejoined Brighton & Hove Albion on a second season-long loan.
Previous Meetings…
As mentioned, the two sides met in August for a pre-season friendly, in which the Gunners netted two unanswered goals.
Last term, Arsenal were victorious on both occasions, but the Hammers gave them a run for their money at Mangata Developments Stadium Meadow Park in March, taking a 3-1 lead before the home side completed a dramatic turnaround.
At Chigwell Construction Stadium in February 2024, the Irons won their first-ever WSL match against their London rivals after goals from Viviane Asseyi and Hawa Cissoko helped the hosts to a 2-1 victory.
Of the 15 head-to-head fixtures, Arsenal have won 13 of them.
