Arsenal's worst WSL start leaves title hopes in tatters

Summarised from 2 outlets · Updated 23 Oct, 13:44 · Archive

Arsenal have made their worst-ever start to a Women's Super League season and are already 12 points behind leaders Manchester City.

Arsenal have made their worst-ever start to a Women's Super League season and sit eighth in the table, already 12 points behind leaders Manchester City after six games. The Gunners are winless in five league matches, their longest-ever such run in the WSL. A 1-1 draw at home against newly-promoted Birmingham on Saturday was followed by boos from supporters at the Emirates, a result that effectively ended Arsenal's title hopes and also threatened their secondary objective of Champions League qualification, leaving them nine points adrift of third place.

The team have struggled to convert possession into goals and remain vulnerable in defence. These issues echo problems that contributed to former head coach Jonas Eidevall's departure two years ago after just four league games. Arsenal have finished runners-up in the last two seasons but without mounting a proper challenge, ultimately paying the price for dropped points early in the campaign.

Manager Renée Slegers, who guided Arsenal to Champions League glory in May 2025, faces a critical test in Saturday's north London derby against Tottenham, who sit four points above Arsenal. The club hierarchy are understood to remain behind Slegers, but her position depends heavily on the result of the forthcoming match and evidence of a sustained turnaround.

How it is being reported

• Slegers and misfiring Arsenal badly need a result in WSL north London derbyGunners’ title hopes have seemingly evaporated and their under-pressure manager faces her latest test against Spurs It says much about Arsenal’s predicament that the team who have conceded 12 in two games are not the side whose manager is under most pressure before a north London derby. Tottenham, four points above their neighbours before Saturday’s meeting, may have been humbled in consecutive Women’s Super League matches – but all eyes are on Renée Slegers. Arsenal are winless in five WSL matches for the first time, and the most decorated club in English women’s football desperately need a…The Guardian · 23 Oct, 12:58
• How Arsenal fell into a crisis of their own makingThe Gunners have made their worst-ever start to a Women’s Super League season and are already out of the title race, with the pressure mounting on Renee Slegers and the club struggling to match their ambition off the pitchIndependent Sport · 23 Oct, 06:00

In this story: Arsenal · Renée Slegers · Manchester City · Birmingham City · Tottenham · Emirates

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