Photo: Emily Mogic Photography 

English powerhouses Arsenal Ladies will take part in December's International Women’s Club Championship in Japan alongside defending W-League champions Melbourne Victory.

In a statement today, the 12 time FA Women's Premier League and 2 time FA WSL winners have confirmed their participation in the third edition of the IWCC.

“We’re really excited to be involved in the International Women’s Club Championship for the first time," said Arsenal Ladies general manager Clare Wheatley.

"We travelled to Japan in 2011 and the support for women’s football was absolutely fantastic so we’re all looking forward to returning. I’m sure this trip will be another great experience for our players and manager Pedro Martinez Losa.”

The tournament will see the Melbourne Victory, Arsenal, South American champions Sao Jose Esporte Clube, Okayama Yunogo Belle and the winners of the 2014 Asia Women’s Club Championship battle to join Olympique Lyonnais and INAC Kobe Leonessa as IWCC champions.

Melbourne Victory will be the third club to represent Australia in the tournament following Canberra United (2012) and Sydney FC, who finished third in 2013.