Steph Catley claims Arsenal have ‘no excuses’ for not winning the WSL this season

2nd September 2025 Oliver Taliku
Steph Catley (7 Arsenal)
Steph Catley has been nominated for the Ballon d’Or after her season with Arsenal last year 

Arsenal defender Steph Catley is making no excuses for the Gunners this season as she believes that they can finally beat Chelsea to win the Women’s Super League.

While Chelsea are solid favourites to lift the title with betting sites, but Arsenal are just behind and should have another big say in the league.

Can Arsenal finally overthrow Chelsea?

For the past six seasons Arsenal have finished just behind Chelsea in the WSL.

This year things could be different for the Gunners though, with the club confident coming into the season after winning the Champions League at the end of last year.

Steph Catley has played in North London since 2020 but she has never won the league in England. However, the 31-year-old thinks that now could finally be the time Arsenal beat Chelsea to the title.

“As soon as you win something as big as [the Champions League], there is a target on your back.” Catley said. “There is an expectation that you should go on and do amazing things. Domestically, we haven’t won nearly as much as we probably could have and we probably should have.

“There’s really no excuses. We have the team. We have everything in place. It’s about putting it together on the field and matching up to those expectations.”

Catley herself will play a crucial role in Arsenal’s season yet again this year. The Australian has been nominated for the Ballon d’Or this year after a consistent campaign for the Gunners last season.

What’s different for Arsenal this year?

Arsenal have been very busy in the transfer market this summer and new signings could be what they need to finally get back on top in the WSL.

Olivia Smith became the first-ever £1million signing in women’s football when joining from Liverpool.

Last season’s PFA Young Player of the Year is one of the most exciting talents in the world and could prove to be the difference for Arenal this year.

After spending the second half of last season on loan at Arsenal, Chloe Kelly put pen to paper on a permanent deal with the Gunners.

Arsenal summer signings

  • Anneke Borbe – VfL Wolfsburg (free agent)
  • Taylor Hinds – Liverpool (free agent
  • Chloe Kelly – Manchester City (free agent)
  • Olivia Smith – Liverpool (£1m)

Arsenal might not be finished in the transfer window just yet though, as the Gunners have been linked to a move for Swiss international Geraldine Reuteler before deadline day on Thursday.

Last year’s league runners up face newly-promoted London City Lionesses on Saturday, September 6th in their first WSL game of the season.

Upcoming Events

Would you like to read more women’s football news just like this? Sign up to receive the She Kicks Women’s Football newsletter

About Oliver Taliku 179 Articles
Olly Taliku has worked with highly respected sports and gambling websites where he has produced hundreds of articles, as well as being published with Burton Albion and Chesterfield FC. At Burton Olly worked closely alongside the women's team, producing mainly matchday content including reports and interviews. He also has experience as an accredited Premier League and EFL writer for Prost International where he worked during the 2021/22 season to produce matchday content as an on location reporter. Olly specialises in women's football as well as long form SEO content plus news and tips. While he enjoys writing about all football, Olly supports Arsenal passionately as a lifelong fan of the club.