Arsenal Women play at Camp Nou for the first time in the club's history this evening, taking on Barcelona in the UEFA Women's Champions League — and the occasion arrives on the day Alessia Russo was named Tuttosport’s's 2026 Golden Player Woman.

Maanum in the number 10 role

According to Arseblog News, Frida Maanum is included in the starting XI and will occupy the number 10 role, while Russo spearheads the attack as the nine. That same report indicates Taylor Hinds retains her position at left-back.

In the lineup Arseblog News describes, Misa begins in goal, with Fox, Williamson, Catley and Hinds forming the back four. Little and Stanway form the midfield pair, with Foord and Baum either side of Russo up front.

First trip to Camp Nou

Arsenal.com's preview describes the fixture as the club's first visit to Camp Nou in the history of Arsenal Women. The team travel after returning to winning form, having beaten Liverpool 2-1 away from home.

Golden Player honour for Russo

Daily Cannon reports that Russo's selection makes her the second Arsenal player in successive years to take the prize, after Leah Williamson won it in 2025. A panel of journalists and experts chose her as the best female player in Europe.

The honour comes after a week in which Russo was additionally included in the FIFPRO Women's World 11.

Williamson's success ended a run of four straight winners from Barcelona. Lieke Martens received the first award in 2021, Alexia Putellas was the recipient in 2022, and Aitana Bonmati won it in 2023 and 2024, after which Williamson and Russo took the following two editions.

Russo is scheduled to receive the trophy at a December ceremony in Turin.

Photo: Arne Müseler via Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 3.0 de, resized.