Just over two weeks after Arsenal Women concluded pre-season with a 2-0 win over West Ham, the Gunners travel to Dagenham for their first away trip of the 2025/26 season.

Whilst neither side was willing to give too much away in August’s friendly encounter before Frida Maanum’s impressive brace, West Ham are a proven ‘banana skin’ for the WSL’s top sides, Arsenal included.

The Irons held both Chelsea, Manchester City and Manchester United to home draws in the second half of last season, enjoying a resurgence under Rehanne Skinner to earn a ninth-placed finish having won just twice before Christmas.

West Ham were the opponents in one of Arsenal’s (many) games of the season, and led 2-0 and 3-1 before losing 4-3 to a remarkable comeback at Meadow Park in March.

Skinner’s side showed their threat from set-pieces on that occasion and caused similar aerial problems in the recent pre-season defeat, whilst the likes of Shekiera Martinez and Riko Ueki provide direct, quick options upfront.

Bethany England’s late penalty saw West Ham fall to a 1-0 defeat away to Tottenham on the opening weekend, which included an injury to goalkeeper Kinga Szemik. The Pole has improved in the week but seems unlikely to feature, whilst summer signing Yu Endo is back fit and available for selection.

Spoke to Renée Slegers about winning the LMA John Duncan Award, and what it means to her personally?? @GoonerFanzine https://t.co/o6WXpbVXa5

— Izzy Gilligan (@isobelgilligan) September 11, 2025

Arsenal enjoyed a near-perfect start to the campaign with a 4-1 win over London City Lionesses at Emirates Stadium. Katie Reid was handed a surprise start at centre-back and gave away a penalty, won and converted by Kosovare Asllani, before the 18-year-old and Arsenal’s backline restricted Jocelyn Precheur’s side to very little in front of goal.

Olivia Smith’s powerful equaliser will likely be in contention for goal of the season, before Alessia Russo set up Chloe Kelly on the stroke of half time. Substitute Beth Mead’s two assists sealed all three points, with fellow subs Stina Blackstenius and Frida Maanum the recipients.

Whether Reid keeps her place in defence will be noteworthy, with Leah Williamson remaining sidelined with a knee injury. Indeed, the academy graduate’s physicality and height could again be useful. Arsenal have no fresh injury concerns, and will be backed by a sold-out away allocation of 850 fans.