It has been a mixed week for Arsenal Women.
Last Sunday brought a winning start to the new WSL season as Lisa Baum marked her competitive debut with the decisive goal in a 1-0 victory away to Brighton.
This Sunday, however, Renée Slegers’ side were left frustrated after a 0-0 draw with Crystal Palace at the Emirates.
Arsenal frustrated by Palace
Anyone watching the game could see that Arsenal were not short of attacking intent.
The Gunners created plenty of chances, hit the woodwork, forced saves and spent long periods pushing Palace back, but somehow the goal simply would not come.
Slegers made three changes from the Brighton win, with Lotte Wubben-Moy, Kyra Cooney-Cross and Chloe Kelly coming into the starting XI.
Afterwards, the Arsenal boss admitted, it had been a hugely frustrating afternoon, describing it as “probably one of the most frustrating ones” she could remember, as reported by Arseblog News.
Importantly, though, Slegers insisted the performance “wasn’t flat”, pointing instead to Arsenal’s attempts to dominate the game, keep the tempo high and continually create opportunities.
That feels like a fair summary.
Arsenal certainly did not lack effort or ideas. They simply could not apply the finishing touch.
Baum and Stanway make encouraging starts
There was plenty of praise for two of Arsenal’s summer arrivals following last weekend’s victory at Brighton.
Baum’s superb winning goal understandably grabbed the headlines, while Georgia Stanway also impressed on her return to English football.
The Guardian highlighted both among its WSL talking points, with Stanway heavily involved in Arsenal’s midfield play and Baum immediately showing the directness and attacking threat she can bring.
With so many new players joining over the summer, it will take some time for Slegers to find her strongest combinations.
Plenty of depth, but Arsenal need goals
The Palace game again demonstrated the strength of Arsenal’s squad.
Deadline-day signing Élisa De Almeida was included among the substitutes, while several senior players failed to make the matchday squad altogether.
That depth should prove crucial as the season intensifies.
There is, however, one obvious early talking point.
Arsenal have taken four points from their opening two WSL games and kept two clean sheets.
But Baum’s goal against Brighton remains their only league goal of the season.
That is hardly cause for alarm after just two games, especially given how many chances Arsenal created against Palace, but Slegers will certainly want greater ruthlessness in front of goal.
Huge tests are coming
Arsenal now face a much tougher run.
Manchester United visit the Emirates next weekend before Arsenal’s Champions League campaign begins shortly afterwards.
Chelsea and Paris FC also await as the schedule becomes significantly more demanding.
Four points and two clean sheets represent a solid foundation.
Now Arsenal Women need to turn their attacking dominance into goals.
What did you make of Arsenal’s performance against Crystal Palace, Gooners? Was it simply one of those days in front of goal, or are you concerned by Arsenal scoring just once in their opening two WSL matches? Let us know in the comments below.
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It’s more of the same. Last season also it was like yesterday dominating games but ending goalless; lacking the cutting edge.
It would be more catastrophic if we fail to beat the basement girls Man Utd at home next week. They’re in a worst spell.
We can’t fault the club hierarchy as they made important decisions to improve the team in the summer including making all home games at Emirates Stadium
Amba,
For me it’s same old same old. I level the same thing at the women every season. Their just not clinical enough.
And for me it provides more questions of the manager. Firstly she’s sending out all the wrong messages regards Hinds as far as I’m concerned with her continued use of a right back playing in front of an actual left back.
And we have a German striker in Cerci, who has been the German leagues top scorer twice. And she’s not even on the bench in a game where we have 30 shots.
I personally think that Slegers is actually the weak link. People will point out that we won the Champions League with her in charge, I say yes we did. But I think they won it not because of her, but in spite of her.
I don’t know what it is, but there’s something about Slegers that doesn’t sit right with me. I can’t name who should replace her, but there surely must be a better manager out there who could get a better tune out of this squad.
Oh, I just thought of one. Emma Hayes maybe?.
DEREK,
We’re on the same page regarding Slegers. Hayes however won’t come to Arsenal as she has a lucrative 1.6m annual contract with Team US that runs until the conclusion of the Women World Cup in 2027. Team US is highly motivated to win the title back from the defending Champs Spain. They won’t let her go
Half time at Emirates, Arsenal Women 0-0 Man Utd who are the last team in the league.
Slegers reshuffling again her best eleven.
Arsenal Women 1-1 Man Utd. They’re funny. At home? Against the bottom team? What else should come to decide on the manager? Is there a player that Arsenal wanted but have not signed in the summer? Slegers Slegers. Stop pandering authorities
Arsenal Women are evidently wobbling. The next 2 games happen at a wrong time. Away against Chelsea and Man City. When it rains, it pours.
In the summer Arsenal signed a goalie from Real Madrid. 2 defenders from PSG and Barca. 2 midfielders from Bayern and Frankfurt. 2 forwards from German clubs.
So far scored only 2 goals. Toothless Arsenal
Amba,
As each game passes, my frustration and questioning of Slegers grows. She never seems to get questioned, yet after just two games the united boss was getting slaughtered.
It’s seems that Sleger’s is fire proof. 🤦♂️
DEREK,
Do you think Slegers survive the sack if beaten next by Chelsea and City? Those define her stay. As some coaches do she may go to these grounds seeking draws just to make us in limbo
Amba,
Certainly should Arsenal lose their next two WSL games, she’d have serious questions to answer. Although to be honest, she’s already got questions to answer regardless of those results two results.
I see that she still plays a right back over an actual left back in Hinds, and Hind’s hasn’t even been on the bench for the last two games. What message is that sending her.
A week ago the team Arsenal struggled to draw with (Utd) were beaten at home 0-5 by Chelsea. Yesterday Arsenal needed a 95th minute stoppage time goal to draw with them at Emirates. Spiralling down after winning the Champions League 2 years back