Arsenal Women dropped points for the third WSL game in a row last time out, leaving them with an uphill task in the race for the league title. Heading into the encounter, Arsenal had won their last two visits to Manchester City, but it was not to be this time. The Gunners returned empty-handed from their trip to the Joie Stadium after losing by a single goal.
Goals from Mariona Caldentey and Chloe Kelly were not enough to secure victory as Arsenal conceded three at the other end. The team will have been disappointed by the manner of the defeat, with City snatching the win late on after Arsenal had fought back to equalise twice.
Little calls for focus and resilience
Reflecting on the game, captain Kim Little could not hide her disappointment but emphasised the need for the team to regroup after a difficult few weeks.
“Obviously we are disappointed,” she told Arsenal media. “We know coming away to City is a difficult fixture. But we also know that we have every ability to win this game. And yeah, I think we will have to reflect and look back on the moments in the game that we should have capitalised and we did not, and they did.
“They were able to shift the momentum, maybe at really key moments, even though we have had it. So yeah, just disappointed. But we need to regroup and we have got a game again in three days, I think. So yeah, we will reflect and hopefully improve on that come Tuesday.”
Big test ahead in Europe
The loss leaves Arsenal with an uphill battle in the WSL title race. They currently sit fifth in the table and could slip further if sixth-placed Brighton win their game in hand.
There will be little time to dwell on the defeat, however, as fixtures come thick and fast. The team now have just three days to prepare for a crucial Women’s Champions League clash against OL Lyon at the Emirates. Fans will hope the Gunners can respond with a strong performance and get back to winning ways against the European giants, as they commence the defense of their Champions League title.
How confident are you that Arsenal Women can bounce back in the Champions League clash with Lyon?
Benjamin Kenneth
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Three poor results and there’s fans ready to give up on the manager and team staying in WSL title race. Good job there were plenty who didn’t feel that way 5 months back with the UWCL. Defence has taken quite a bit of criticism despite the form of Katie Reid. Lotte took flak yesterday but she has barely started a game on 2025. Leah Williamson’s continued absence is a major factor in my opinion.
As strange a thing to say after just 5 games, but the title could already be out of reach. Recent history shows that Chelsea don’t drop many points in a season. And with a 5 point cushion already over us, the only way I see of having any chance is to have to win most of if not all our remaining games along with beating Chelsea twice.
I think that we’ll have to look to one of the other trophy’s again this season. I’d love to be proved wrong, but it’s hard to see Chelsea slipping up enough.
Why Arsenal didn’t recall Ageyemang is backfiring. She was key player to making England win the Euros but deemed unfit for Arsenal. The WSL title has realistically gone just in 5 games. Chelsea will be the undisputed Champions 26 for the 7th year running. Shame on Euro CL Winners. If Utd or City have some of the world class strikers that crammed Arsenal front line they would be serious challengers until the last week for Chelsea. They don’t surrender just in 5 games.
Ambachew,
I’m not sure if they can recall Ageyemang, I’m not sure what the agreement is with Brighton. I don’t think it’s necessarily that we can’t score with the attacker’s we’ve got. I think they just need to be more clinical.
They started last season off like this to, which they couldn’t afford to do. And given that Chelsea don’t usually drop many points, the fact they did the other day makes it all the more frustrating that we didn’t take advantage of it.
In that respect it’s the same old same old. They’ve already backed themselves into a corner regarding the league, frustrating to say the least.