WSL champions Chelsea to kick off new season against Arsenal

| 23 July 2021

WSL champions Chelsea to kick off new season against Arsenal

Clubs will start the new campaign on either September 3, 4 or 5.

Champions Chelsea will begin the 2021-22 Women's Super League season with a trip to London rivals Arsenal.

Emma Hayes' side retained the title and won the League Cup last term, while the Gunners appointed Swede Jonas Eidevall as their new manager last month following the departure of Joe Montemurro.

Clubs will start the new campaign on either September 3, 4 or 5, with kick-off times and television fixtures yet to be finalised.

Emma Hayes' Chelsea begin the new campaign against Arsenal (John Walton/PA)

Manchester United, who are currently managerless after Casey Stoney's resignation, host Reading, while newly-promoted Leicester start their maiden Super League season away to Aston Villa.

Elsewhere, last term's runners-up Manchester City travel to Everton, Tottenham play at home to Birmingham, and West Ham go to Brighton.

Four-time winners Chelsea will wrap up the season at home to Manchester United on either May 7 or 8.

Manchester United are managerless following Casey Stoney's departure (Zac Goodwin/PA)

The Blues' return match against Arsenal is scheduled for the weekend of February 11-13, while they take on title rivals City on November 12-14 and February 4-6, with the first of those fixtures away from home.

Manchester derbies will be held on October 8-10 and February 11-13, with United at home first.

Leicester, who amassed 50 points from 20 league fixtures en route to lifting the Championship title, complete the campaign away to Tottenham, with their first top-flight home game coming against Manchester United.