Barcelona v Arsenal: How the Barca way endures despite big-name exits

Barcelona host Arsenal at the Nou Camp on Thursday in the Women's Champions League, with the reigning champions still favourites despite a summer that saw several high-profile players leave. Barca have won all three of their league-phase matches and scored 19 goals, while Arsenal have started the European campaign well, sitting fifth with seven points from three games. Kick-off is 17:45 GMT.

The reigning champions have changed considerably since Arsenal beat them in the 2025 Women's Champions League final, a result that came less than five months after Renee Slegers was named permanent Arsenal manager. That win started a new chapter for the Gunners, but their domestic season has been harder. A five-game winless run ended in October, and Arsenal sit sixth in the Women's Super League.

Big names leave, but the identity stays

Alexia Putellas, a three-time Ballon d'Or winner, was among the departures. She joined London City Lionesses, where she was followed by defender Mapi Leon. Ona Batlle moved to Arsenal, and Salma Paralluelo joined Lyon. All four were central to Barcelona's success, and they ended their time at the club with a historic quadruple, including a fourth Champions League title.

Barcelona's approach is built on a playing identity that players learn from a young age, much of it at the La Masia academy next to the Estadi Johan Cruyff. Players are trained to play the same way and to move between positions with ease. Netherlands international Esmee Brugts, who joined in 2023, said the system is about doing simple things well and that every player needs to fulfil their role.

Slegers said Barcelona have "a really strong identity" and that it does not change when new players arrive. She praised the way the side rotates and still plays its style.

Young players add depth

Barcelona have also turned to younger players to fill the gaps. Midfielder Clara Serrajordi, 18, defender Renee van Asten, 20, and forward Vicky Lopez, 20, have added depth to the squad. Brugts, 23, said she had needed time to adjust to the Barca way and described the younger players as ready whenever they are needed.

Barcelona's stated ambition is to defend all four of their titles this season. Brugts said the club is still building its identity with the new squad and believes there are no limits to what it can achieve.

Arsenal make one change

Arsenal manager Slegers has made one change to her starting line-up from the side that beat Liverpool 2-1 in the Women's Super League on Sunday. Frida Maanum comes in for Olivia Smith, and Alessia Russo is expected to lead the attack, with Lisa Baum and Caitlin Foord on the wings. Georgia Stanway and Kim Little keep their midfield places, and Misa Rodriguez remains in goal behind a back four of Emily Fox, Leah Williamson, Steph Catley and Taylor Hinds.

Barcelona's starting line-up includes Cata Coll in goal, with Patri Guijarro as captain, and Claudia Pina and Caroline Graham Hansen among the attacking options. Early in the match, The Guardian's live coverage noted poor Barcelona defending at 12 minutes, though Arsenal had then settled into a deep defensive shape with all 11 players close to their own goal.

What next

Barcelona go into the match as favourites, but Arsenal have shown they can beat them, and the Gunners will look to repeat that result after a difficult domestic run. Whatever the outcome, the match will test whether Barcelona's identity can carry a squad that has lost four of its most decorated players. So far, the new-look side has shown few signs of slowing down.