Champions League action returns Wednesday, as clubs scramble for quarterfinal survival with this week’s second-leg results determining the 2025/26 UWCL semifinalists.

Chelsea finds itself in a tight spot entering the London derby at Stamford Bridge. The Blues face a 3-1 aggregate deficit after falling to defending champion Arsenal 3-1 in last week's first leg.

"There was a conversation after the game against Arsenal and also after Sunday's [WSL] game that we have the belief that we can do it," said Blues midfielder Erin Cuthbert. "We've done it before, but we're under no illusions it's a tough one."

Chelsea is coming off last weekend's 4-3 victory over Aston Villa, with the first six goals coming in the opening half. In that WSL match, Sjoeke Nüsken scored the game-winner for the Blues.

"We know it will be a challenge and a battle," echoed manager Sonia Bompastor. "But if you analyze the performance we put in the first leg, I think there are a lot of belief we can really play a good game tomorrow."

For Wednesday's Champions League clash, Chelsea welcomes back attacker Johanna Rytting Kaneryd. However, defender Millie Bright and forward Aggie Beever-Jones remain unavailable due to injuriy.

Arsenal enters the match riding a six-game winning streak in the Women's Super League, after the Gunners demolished Tottenham 5-2 at the Emirates last weekend behind an Alessia Russo hat-trick.

Arsenal manager Renée Slegers voiced few concerns ahead of the UWCL quarterfinal, despite star defender Leah Williamson remaining sidelined with injury.

"There's a lot of work still to do for us, and that's how we’re going to approach the game," said the second-year coach. "We have a lot of experience in the group as players, as staff as well, how to manage different moments, and that's what we definitely want to bring."

How to Watch Arsenal vs. Chelsea in the Champions League Quarterfinals

Chelsea kicks off the UWCL quarterfinal's second leg against Arsenal today at 3 PM ET, live on Paramount+.

Arsenal delivered a season-defining performance on Saturday, defeating Chelsea 2-0 to blow the WSL title race wide open.

The London Derby victory marks the Gunners' first away win against Chelsea since 2018, ending the Blues' 10-match unbeaten streak.

After a scoreless first half, Arsenal broke the deadlock in the 54th minute. Alessia Russo drove through the midfield to find Beth Mead, who clinically slotted a right-footed shot into the bottom left corner.

Arsenal doubled their advantage six minutes later. Mead claimed the assist, threading a pass to Spain international Mariona Caldentey inside the penalty area. The 2023 World Cup winner took one touch to set herself, before drilling the ball past Chelsea goalkeeper Hannah Hampton to make it 2-0.

Chelsea manager Sonia Bompastor's team struggled to find their usual rhythm. Despite introducing Lauren James and Keira Walsh as second-half subs, Arsenal limited the hosts to long-range efforts and just one shot on target.

Anchored by Leah Williamson and Lotte Wubben-Moy, the Arsenal defense remained disciplined, securing the clean sheet.

“We figured out where we could hurt them and we did that in the second half especially,” Mead told BBC Sport. “We put our chances away.”

The result has serious implications for the WSL standings.

Afterwards, Bompastor admitted Chelsea's "title race is probably gone," as the defending champions now sit six points behind league-leaders Manchester City. Meanwhile, Arsenal moved within a single point of Chelsea, bolstering their chances for a ticket to the 2026/27 Champions League.

How to watch Arsenal this week

Arsenal now prepares for Wednesday's Women's Champions Cup semifinal, going up against Moroccan powerhouse ASFAR in London at 1 PM ET, live on DAZN.