Defending Women’s Champions League champions Arsenal could face fellow English giants Chelsea in an all-English quarter-final if they progress past Belgian side Leuven in the play-offs. Arsenal, the only English team to have ever lifted the trophy, are aiming to continue their European dominance under the pressure of high-stakes knockout football.

Chelsea and Arsenal in the Knockout Stage

Chelsea, Women’s Super League champions, secured automatic qualification for the last eight by finishing in the top four of the league stage, alongside European powerhouses Barcelona, Lyon, and Bayern Munich. This sets up a tantalizing clash between two of England’s elite sides, potentially marking the first all-English quarter-final in the Women’s Champions League in recent years.

Meanwhile, debutants Manchester United take on Atletico Madrid in their play-off, with German champions Bayern Munich awaiting the winner. Arsenal defeated Leuven 3-0 in the league stage, while United secured a 1-0 win over Atletico in October, giving both teams confidence heading into the knockout fixtures.

Other Quarter-Final Contenders

The knockout stage also features multiple European heavyweights:

• Lyon, eight-time winners, are set to face either Wolfsburg or Juventus.
• Barcelona, last season’s runners-up and three-time champions, could meet either Paris FC or Real Madrid in the quarter-finals.

The two-legged play-offs are scheduled for 11-12 February and 18-19 February, with quarter-finals taking place on 24-25 March and 1-2 April.

English Clubs’ Readiness

As Arsenal and Chelsea prepare for a potential showdown, analysts are assessing whether English teams can compete with Europe’s best in the Women’s Champions League knockout stage. Both sides have shown strong domestic form, but the challenge of European football at this level remains a significant test of consistency and squad depth.

With Arsenal chasing a repeat of their title-winning glory and Chelsea eager to make a European impact, the prospect of an all-English quarter-final adds extra intrigue to the Women’s Champions League this season.