Renee Slegers knows Arsenal will have to "suffer" if they are to get the better of Barcelona on Thursday, in a repeat of the teams' 2025 Champions League final matchup.

Though the Gunners have struggled domestically this campaign, sitting sixth in the Women's Super League with just three wins in nine matches, their European form has been better.

They have taken seven points from their opening three games in the Champions League, putting themselves firmly in the hunt for a top-four finish and automatic quarter-final qualification.

Arsenal are unbeaten in each of their last six league or group-stage games in the Champions League (W5 D1), their longest run without defeat since this stage of the competition was introduced in 2021-22.

But reigning European champions Barca were the only side to win their first three matches and are themselves unbeaten in 14 league or group-stage matches (W13 D1); winning each of their last two by a margin of at least six goals.

Barca also lead all teams in the 2026-27 edition for goals (19), expected goals (11.7 xG), shots on target (35) and shot conversion rate (28.8%), leading Slegers to expect a tough test.

"We will have to suffer. We'll have to put bodies on the line," she said. "We'll have to be really disciplined. But we have a lot of quality in our team as well.

"We are in a good position in the league phase and we're looking forward to the game against Barcelona. It's going to be a big game with two really good teams."

The Gunners did, of course, beat Barca 1-0 to lift the Champions League trophy in 2024-25, with Stina Blackstenius netting the all-important goal in that final clash.

Only Lyon (67%) have a better win rate in Champions League games against Barcelona than Arsenal's 60% (3/5), and Slegers looks back on that victory as one of her career highlights.

"That performance was immense and it had so many facets to it," Slegers said. "It was a great moment, of course, a very proud moment for us."

Building up to Barça  https://t.co/ryzQRSuiBr

— Arsenal Women (@ArsenalWFC) November 11, 2026

Barca have talismanic midfielder Aitana Bonmati back, with the Spain international playing seven times this season after spending a period on the sidelines, having returned from a broken leg in April only to endure pain during her comeback.

And at Barca's pre-match press conference on Tuesday, Bonmati said there was undue pressure on players to come back from major injuries quickly. 

"I'm getting back into my rhythm and finding myself on the pitch again," the three-time Ballon d'Or winner said. 

"Being out for such a long time is difficult. People need to understand that coming back from a serious injury isn't easy.

"We're not robots. We can't just return as if nothing had happened. But I've put the injury behind me and I'm happy with my progress."