Arsenal Women continued their WSL campaign with a draw against Aston Villa on Saturday, taking their league tally to eight points after four games. A 10th-minute goal by Frida Maanum gave Arsenal the lead in the early kick-off. The team went on to dominate for the rest of the encounter, firing 19 shots and generating an XG north of 2.5. However, Arsenal were eventually left to rue their failure to add to their slender lead when the Villains equalised late in the game. Lucy Parker scored the pivotal goal for Villa Women when she finished from inside the box after a set piece in the 94th minute, condemning the Gunners to their second draw in as many games. Arsenal sit second as of writing, but with every other club around them still yet to play, they could drop to fifth before the end of the gameweek.
Slegers highlights need to be more clinical
It was another wasteful draw for Renée Slegers’ side and the manager bemoaned a lack of clinical edge during the tie. “I think when it is only 1-0 and you do not kill the game with another goal then the opposition is always going to stay in the game and have some form of belief,” she told Arsenal Media. “So every time they were in our half from a counter-attack or creating a set piece which they scored from, they came up with a lot of motivation and belief. And that is what we have to know. So the big learning for us is to kill the game earlier.”
Gunners must respond to tough schedule
The story was similarly familiar against Manchester United last time out. The Gunners could only muster a single shot on target in that game, coming via Alessia Russo in the 41st minute. It was their fewest in a WSL game in five years, but Slegers dismissed suggestions that goals are a problem, saying: “We have scored 10 goals so it is not a problem. It will be very important that we review this and are very open and honest because we need to learn and learn fast.”
The fixtures do not get easier for Arsenal Women. Up next is a difficult trip to Manchester City on 4 October, followed by a home clash with European giants OL Lyon in the Women’s Champions League opener three days later.
What are your thoughts, Gooners?
Benjamin Kenneth
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Come on ladies step to the plate
Ben, you gave us a good highlight on how the team fared. Come on Renee scoring goals are truly the team’s problem because from the 10 goals half of them come from debutants v London CL. This stat covers the core problem. Complacency is the real problem. Villa are in the drop zone how you drew them at Emirates. Oh no no no really unacceptable! I tbh don’t think you become champions at this rate. See Chelsea they respect every team and don’t drop points.
They started the season well. After the poor showing at United, they follow it up with another one at home to Villa. Why was Chloe Kelly brought on in the 83rd minute.
Already it looks like being another season where Chelsea just get their free run at the title. And to be blunt, Arsenal women don’t deserve the title if they can’t win against Villa and the like.
it s like an old annoying problem, we know we re good, but we don t get the results we want, so yes, it s complacency, lack of cutting edge, lack of clinical finishing, whatever, and our substitutions are bit predictable sometimes with wonky timing, (Derek is right, Chloe on at 83 minutes is concerning, it suggests ‘panic’ rather than ‘plan’) …looks like we needed Michelle not to go to Brighton, but Renee knows the players better than i do, and her brain s A LOT sharper than mine, it s just so saddening that Chelsea are out front already, we need to be wary of 2 or 3 other teams too, we may be European Champions but that just makes other teams all the more keen to beat us …
Potts Evan,
Very well made points. 👍
We are way to predictable and too slow in transition. Transition has to be a significantly quicker with players supporting so there is an outlet for the next phase. Not just one player driving forward with no support. All stems from midfield slowing the pace of the game down allowing the opposition time to reset their defence resulting in a congested penalty area where ultimately most shots, if on target are blocked. Going wide for crossing does the very same unless the wide player inverts and drives forward pulling in defenders before the next phase. Team selection and changes too predictable and what appears some players lacking hunger. Sometimes you require a player to be brave, responsible and take the game by the scruff of the neck. Not just pass the parcel approach leave it to someone else. Renee you are amazing but you have problems to solve and what you see with Leah not being there the lack of line breaking passes. Pity we do not have Jules Brand in an Arsenal shirt taking on the opposition driving at speed complementing Olivia Smith. Cooney-Cross has to play and Vic Pelova given more time and lets see Jenna on at some point well. Earn the right to wear the shirt. Substitutions at 60 mins alter the game, not bringing on subs in the last 10 minutes. Unfortunately WSL could be blown already and will be if you do not win at City away.