European champions Arsenal were brimming with confidence before kick-off having not lost a game at the Emirates since a 2-1 loss to Lyon approaching a year ago on 19 April 2025.
They are on a 10-game winning streak in all competitions following this result and have kept clean sheets in their last five WSL matches.
And they played like a team peaking at the right time. After weathering a 15-minute storm in the first half, they took over proceedings in front of an 18,000-strong crowd.
Goalkeeper Borbe’s right post came to their savour on a few occasions early on but Chelsea were penned deeper and deeper as the game wore on.
Blackstenius’ deft touch to head in Katie McCabe’s cross gave them the lead they needed and Kelly capitalised on a period of control with a stunning long-range effort, though England team-mate Hannah Hampton will be frustrated she could not get a hand to it.
Kelly’s habit of delivering in the big moments for club and country is very welcome to Arsenal and she was oozing confidence after her hat-trick against West Ham on the weekend.
And in the second half, just as James had given Chelsea a lifeline, Russo dealt the final blow – taking one touch to control the ball before firing it expertly past Hampton to make it 3-1.
Overall, the match was the perfect way to start this mouthwatering battle between two London rivals, though Arsenal will know there remains a job to do in the second leg at Stamford Bridge next Wednesday (20:00 GMT).
But on current form, Slegers’ side will fancy themselves to reach the last four.
