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WSL opening fixtures: Manchester City visit Arsenal, Chelsea host Aston Villa

pa media and guardian sport
·1-min read
<span>Vivianne Miedema is in line to play for Manchester City at the Emirates Stadium months after leaving Arsenal.</span><span>Photograph: Joris Verwijst/Orange Pictures/Shutterstock</span>
Vivianne Miedema is in line to play for Manchester City at the Emirates Stadium months after leaving Arsenal.Photograph: Joris Verwijst/Orange Pictures/Shutterstock

Chelsea will begin their push for a sixth straight Women’s Super League title against Aston Villa at Kingsmeadow but the most striking fixture in the opening round takes Manchester City to Arsenal.

City, who finished behind Chelsea on goal difference last season in pursuit of a first WSL title since 2016, will be hosted at the Emirates Stadium on Sunday 22 September in a 12.30pm kick-off. The match takes Vivianne Miedema back to Arsenal after she joined City at the end of her contract.

Chelsea start under their new manager, Sonia Bompastor, the former Lyon coach who has taken over from Emma Hayes, on the Saturday or Sunday. Hayes left after 12 years to become manager of the United States women’s national team.

Marc Skinner’s FA Cup winners Manchester United will play at home to West Ham. Liverpool, who won four out of their final five games last term, host Leicester, while Brighton welcome Everton. Promoted Crystal Palace make the trip to Tottenham in their first top-flight game.