The stage is set for a compelling fifth-round clash in the Adobe Women’s FA Cup as Arsenal welcome Bristol City to Meadow Park this Sunday, February 23, 2026, with kickoff scheduled for 1pm. It’s a familiar fixture for both sides: for the second consecutive season, Arsenal and Bristol City meet at this stage, with memories of last year’s emphatic 5-0 Gunners victory still fresh in the minds of fans. But as the teams prepare for battle, both squads bring new storylines, ambitions, and challenges to the pitch.
Arsenal enter Sunday’s contest riding a wave of confidence, having dispatched Aston Villa 2-0 at home in the previous round, courtesy of goals from Stina Blackstenius and Kim Little. That result marked their sixth straight win in all competitions, a streak they’re eager to extend as they chase a record 15th FA Cup title. The Gunners have not lifted the trophy in a decade, nor have they reached the final since 2021, adding a sense of urgency to their campaign this year. Manager Renee Slegers and her staff are keenly aware that qualifying for the quarter-finals before a three-week international break is the weekend’s top priority.
Arsenal’s recent form has been impressive on multiple fronts. In European competition, they dispatched Leuven 7-1 on aggregate in the Champions League, a tie that also allowed Slegers to rotate her squad and reintegrate key players like Leah Williamson following injury. The Gunners’ Women’s Super League match at Brighton was postponed, providing a rare breather after a demanding stretch that included fixtures against Manchester United, Chelsea, Manchester City, and Corinthians. Now, facing a second-tier opponent at home represents a shift in gears—but no less a test of focus and professionalism.
Squad selection for Sunday’s cup tie carries its own intrigue. With no Friday press conference, some uncertainty lingers around player availability. Stina Blackstenius, who has been sidelined, is expected to return after being named in Sweden’s squad for upcoming internationals and could provide a timely boost up front. Olivia Smith is back from suspension after missing the Champions League tie, while Kyra Cooney-Cross should return from illness. However, Arsenal will be without Beth Mead (shin injury), and long-term absentees Katie Reid, Michelle Agyemang, and Manuela Zinsberger—all sidelined by ACL injuries. Slegers has also opted to rest Fox, Williamson, and Little to the bench, perhaps with an eye on squad rotation and player welfare ahead of the break.
The match could mark another significant step for Chloe Kelly, whose return from a pair of knee injuries has been a welcome sight for Arsenal fans. Kelly’s recent display against Leuven was a reminder of her value, particularly her ability to deliver dangerous crosses and operate as an additional creative force in the final third. Her assist for Olivia Smith in Belgium showcased the kind of quality that Arsenal have sometimes lacked this season, especially with Mead unavailable and Caitlin Foord set to depart for the Asian Cup in March. As one of last year’s Champions League heroes, Kelly’s form could make all the difference in tight knockout fixtures.
Looking at the available squad, Arsenal have depth across the pitch. Goalkeepers include Votikova, van Domselaar, Borbe, and Williams. Defensively, Slegers can call on Fox, Wubben-Moy, L.Codina, Williamson, Catley, McCabe, Hinds, Holmberg, and Harwood. The midfield features Mariona, Little (captain), L.Maanum, Pelova, and Cooney-Cross. Up front, options include Smith, Kelly, Foord, Russo, and Blackstenius. With such a roster, Arsenal will be expected to control proceedings, but cup football is notorious for its unpredictability.
Bristol City arrive at Meadow Park as underdogs, but with plenty to play for. The Robins currently sit fourth in the Women’s Super League 2, just two points behind third-placed Crystal Palace and three adrift of Birmingham City in second. With Charlton Athletic running away at the top, Bristol City remain firmly in the promotion race, especially with the WSL’s planned expansion from 12 to 14 teams on the horizon. Their recent 2-1 extra-time victory over Southampton in the FA Cup fourth round—secured by a dramatic Emily Syme brace, including an 118th-minute winner—demonstrated their resilience and appetite for the big occasion. However, Southampton got their revenge in league play last weekend, defeating the Robins 2-0, a timely reminder of the competitive nature of WSL2.
City’s manager, Charlotte Healy, brings considerable experience to the dugout, having previously worked alongside Marc Skinner at Manchester United and held coaching roles at Manchester City and Liverpool. The squad boasts a blend of youth and experience, though they’ll be without Arsenal loanee Jess Gale, who is ineligible to face her parent club. Gale has impressed during her time in Bristol, flourishing after a spell at Portsmouth, but her absence will be keenly felt on Sunday. The Robins’ history as a “yo-yo” club—frequently moving between divisions—adds another layer to their story, but the chance to establish themselves in the top flight is a powerful motivator.
For Arsenal, the last meeting between these sides in the FA Cup was a masterclass in attacking football. Blackstenius and Mead both netted twice, with Frida Maanum also on the scoresheet as the Gunners cruised to a 5-0 win at Meadow Park. That result will give Slegers’ side confidence, but Bristol City will be determined to avoid a repeat and prove their progress over the past year.
Match officiating will be under the guidance of Stacey Fullicks, who has taken charge of six Barclays Women’s Super League matches this season, issuing 16 yellow cards and no reds. Phoebe Horner and Ruby Sykes will serve as assistant referees, with Megan Wilson as the fourth official. Fullicks last refereed Arsenal in their season-opening 4-1 win over London City Lionesses, so she’s no stranger to the Meadow Park atmosphere.
Fans hoping to watch the action live will be disappointed, as the match is not being broadcast or streamed due to the FA Cup’s new broadcast deal, which restricts coverage when fixtures clash with selected televised games. Arsenal supporters will have to rely on post-match reports, with the club promising a full lineup announcement an hour before kickoff and comprehensive coverage of Slegers’ post-match press conference.
As the teams prepare for Sunday’s showdown, the stakes couldn’t be clearer. For Arsenal, it’s a chance to keep their silverware ambitions alive and build momentum before the international break. For Bristol City, it’s an opportunity to test themselves against elite opposition and perhaps spring a cup upset that would reverberate through the women’s game. With both teams hungry for progress and plenty of storylines to follow, Meadow Park is set for an afternoon of high drama—even if the cameras aren’t rolling. The anticipation is palpable, and come Sunday, all eyes will be on Borehamwood as Arsenal and Bristol City renew their FA Cup rivalry.