It has been an encouraging final week of pre-season for Arsenal Women, with Renée Slegers’ side signing off their preparations in style ahead of the new Women’s Super League campaign.A 5-1 victory over Charlton Athletic provided plenty of goals and talking points, while there was also a particularly special moment for Kyra Cooney-Cross as she continued her return to football.With pre-season now complete, attention turns to Brighton and the beginning of Arsenal’s 2026/27 WSL campaign.Arsenal Women hit five past CharltonArsenal rounded off pre-season on Wednesday evening with an emphatic 5-1 victory against newly-promoted WSL side Charlton Athletic at Meadow Park.It wasn’t completely straightforward to begin with, as Lucy Fitzgerald gave the visitors the lead after 24 minutes.Georgia Stanway responded with her first Arsenal goal to bring the Gunners level before Mariona Caldentey converted from the penalty spot shortly before half-time.The second half belonged firmly to Arsenal.Cooney-Cross produced the standout moment with a spectacular long-range strike to make it 3-1 before Olivia Smith added a fourth late on.Frida Maanum then completed an impressive evening with Arsenal’s fifth in stoppage time.Five goals and five different scorers was a satisfying way for Slegers to conclude her side’s preparations for the new season. The Arsenal boss said afterwards that she had seen progress from the previous Paris FC game, particularly in terms of creating shots and finding the end product, although she stressed there is still work to do.A special week for Kyra Cooney-CrossThere was much more significance attached to Cooney-Cross’ goal than simply putting Arsenal 3-1 ahead.The Australian midfielder only returned to action last Sunday against Paris FC after spending more than five months away from the game.Cooney-Cross had been granted compassionate leave to remain in Australia with her mother, Jessica, who had been diagnosed with terminal cancer. Her mother sadly died in July.Her introduction against Paris FC was therefore an emotional moment, with the Arsenal supporters giving her a wonderful reception as she returned to the pitch.Three days later, she came off the bench at half-time against Charlton and produced a moment of magic.Slegers described Cooney-Cross as “amazing” since returning to the squad and spoke of how well she has been training while gradually building her minutes again.Football can sometimes provide beautiful little moments amid much bigger things in life, and seeing Kyra back playing and scoring such a wonderful goal was certainly one of those.(Photo by Warren Little/Getty Images)Olivia Smith carries her form into the new seasonOlivia Smith has also enjoyed an excellent end to pre-season.As we covered in last week’s Arsenal Women Weekly Round-up, the Canadian produced a brilliant 91st-minute winner to secure a 1-0 victory against Paris FC.She followed that by coming off the bench and scoring again against Charlton.Two goals in Arsenal’s final two pre-season matches represents a pretty convincing argument for Smith as Slegers considers her attacking options for the opening weekend.It was also a notable week individually for the 22-year-old, who was named PFA Women’s Young Player of the Year for the second successive season.With competition for attacking places fierce, Smith could hardly have done much more heading into the new campaign.New arrivals continue to settle into Slegers’ squadThere were encouraging signs elsewhere as Arsenal’s summer additions continued to accumulate minutes.Stanway’s first goal for the club was an obvious highlight against Charlton, while Lisa Baum provided the assist for the midfielder’s equaliser.Ona Batlle was also back in action after missing the Paris FC match while completing her return from concussion, and Maanum returned to the team and marked the occasion by getting on the scoresheet.The number of changes Slegers was able to make against Charlton also highlighted the depth available to her as the competitive fixtures begin.There will inevitably be decisions to make over her strongest starting XI, but having that level of competition is hardly a bad problem for the Arsenal boss.Brighton up next as the WSL beginsThe friendlies are now finished and the real business is about to begin.Arsenal start their 2026/27 Women’s Super League campaign away to Brighton & Hove Albion at Broadfield Stadium on Sunday, September 6, with a 12pm kick-off.Slegers will know that pre-season results count for little once the league begins, but consecutive victories and six goals across the final two games provide a positive platform.Perhaps more importantly, there are signs that some of the new combinations are beginning to click, returning players are building their fitness and there is serious competition for places throughout the squad.After weeks of preparation, experimentation and integrating new arrivals, we are almost there.The 2026/27 Arsenal Women season is about to begin.What has impressed you most about Arsenal Women’s pre-season, Gooners? And who would you start against Brighton next Sunday? Let us know in the comments._____________________________________________________________________________________________ADMIN COMMENTSo here are some simple rules which I must insist commenters follow….You agree not to give any personal abuse to other Arsenal fans. Everyone is allowed to hold their own opinions even if you disagree with them. It COSTS NOTHING TO BE POLITE TO OTHER ARSENAL FANS.CALLING ALL ARSENAL FANS! Anyone who would like to contribute an Article or Video opinion piece on JustArsenal, don’t hesitate to get in touch with us through this link…More Stories / Latest NewsArsenal Women Weekly Round-Up: 5-Star Finish, Cooney-Cross Stunner and Brighton Next30 August 2026, 21:00Julian Alvarez Tells Mikel Arteta He Does Not Want Arsenal Move30 August 2026, 19:30£34m Arsenal midfielder nearing permanent exit after just five Premier League starts30 August 2026, 18:00The post Arsenal Women Weekly Round-Up: 5-Star Finish, Cooney-Cross Stunner and Brighton Next appeared first on Just Arsenal News.