If Arsenal fail to secure a home victory this weekend, their title challenge could already be in serious jeopardy, with Manchester City and Manchester United both keeping pace with leaders Chelsea. Despite fighting back twice to equalise, the Gunners never truly looked like winning and City sealed the result with a late goal just two minutes from time.
What’s next for Arsenal?
Their Champions League defeat isn’t disastrous, as they still have seven group-stage matches left in their bid to defend the trophy. The Women’s Super League, however, is a far more pressing concern. Having dropped points in three consecutive league fixtures, Renee Slegers’ side now trail Chelsea by five points at the top.
Alessia Russo, one of the team’s few bright spots and a WSL Player of the Month nominee, insisted after their latest defeat that Arsenal are only going through a “blip” in form. They will have the chance to prove it on Sunday when they host Brighton, desperate for their first league win since early September. Yet with lower-ranked teams now approaching them with confidence, it’s clear Arsenal have lost some of the aura they carried last season.
Last weekend’s 3-2 defeat to Manchester City – their first league loss of the campaign – dropped them to fifth in the table. While the Champions League setback against a formidable Lyon side is understandable, it adds to a worrying pattern of struggles against top opposition.
Arsenal’s big-game struggles
So far in the WSL, Arsenal have faced two of last season’s top four and failed to win either, drawing 0-0 with Manchester United in a match that felt like a missed opportunity given their control and depth. Before meeting City, they were also held to a 1-1 draw by Aston Villa, whose manager Natalia Arroyo expressed full belief in her side’s ability to take points off the Gunners.
Even Russo’s opener against Lyon in Europe was quickly cancelled out as Melchie Dumornay struck twice within 10 minutes, allowing the French champions to hold on for victory.
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