The short version
- Arsenal have drawn their last two league matches despite high possession and shot volume, falling behind Manchester City in the standings.
- Striker Alessia Russo has yet to score this season while deployed in an attacking midfield role, a tactical shift that has reduced her goal output compared to previous seasons.
- The team faces Chelsea at Stamford Bridge with pressure mounting to secure a victory and prevent further damage to their title aspirations.
Arsenal enter their upcoming Women's Super League fixture against Chelsea with a sense of urgency, knowing that another failure to secure three points could significantly hinder their championship ambitions. Just four weeks into the 2026-27 campaign, the Gunners find themselves seven points behind league leaders Manchester City, although they hold a game in hand. The recent pattern of play has been concerning for a squad widely tipped to challenge for the title, with successive draws against Crystal Palace and Manchester United highlighting a persistent inability to close out matches.
The core issue facing Renee Slegers' side is not a lack of opportunity but a deficit in execution within the final third. Across their first three league appearances, Arsenal have registered 56 shots yet managed only two goals. Their match against Crystal Palace exemplified this struggle; despite controlling 79 percent of possession and recording 70 touches inside the opponent's penalty area, they were held to a goalless draw by the newly promoted side. Similarly, their encounter with Manchester United required a late equalizer in the 95th minute to salvage a point after falling behind early.
Slegers has acknowledged the team's difficulties, noting that while the squad possesses quality and creative ideas, they are failing to translate dominance into victories. He emphasized the need for improved decision-making and technical execution, particularly regarding the spaces occupied in the box and the effectiveness of runs. The manager pointed out that danger can arise from various situations, including counter-attacks and set-pieces, not just against low defensive blocks. However, the current results suggest these elements are not yet clicking as intended.
A significant point of debate surrounds the positioning of Alessia Russo, England's primary striker. Last season, Russo was one of the league's most prolific scorers, netting 13 goals in the WSL and ranking second in European competition behind Barcelona's Ewa Pajor. Despite this track record, Slegers has deployed her in a number 10 role for all three league games this season. This tactical adjustment has not yielded immediate results, as Russo remains without a goal in the league campaign.
Statistical analysis reveals a stark contrast in Russo's performance based on her position. As an attacking midfielder, she has scored only three goals in 507 minutes of play, whereas she recorded 21 goals in 2,913 minutes as a striker under Slegers' management last year. While her chance creation rate has slightly increased in the deeper role, reaching 1.42 per 90 minutes compared to 1.27 as a forward, her direct threat has diminished. She takes fewer shots overall and fewer attempts from inside the penalty area when playing out of her traditional position.
The lack of synergy between Russo and her teammates further underscores the tactical dilemma. Notably, Russo and fellow attacker Stina Blackstenius have not directly combined for a goal while Russo has started in midfield. During the match against Manchester United, even as Arsenal trailed and pushed forward for an equalizer, Russo remained in her deeper role. She explained that the plan was to maintain pressure in the opponent's half, utilizing both herself and Blackstenius as threats in the box.
Despite the current struggles, Arsenal have invested heavily in their squad during the transfer window, adding German talents Lisa Baum and Selina Cerci to bolster their attacking options. The departure of Beth Mead to Manchester City was offset by the availability of other key players such as Chloe Kelly, Olivia Smith, Stina Blackstenius, and Caitlin Foord. Additionally, Michelle Agyemang is expected to return later in the season, providing further depth. This wealth of talent suggests that the current issues are tactical rather than a lack of individual quality.
The upcoming match against Chelsea at Stamford Bridge presents a critical test for Slegers and his players. A defeat would not only widen the gap to Manchester City but also reinforce concerns about Arsenal's ability to perform under pressure in high-stakes games. The team has historically found it difficult to recover from slow starts, a pattern that has contributed to their seven-year wait for another WSL title. While they have secured European honors, including the Women's Champions League and Women's Champions Cup, domestic supremacy remains elusive.
Slegers maintains faith in his squad's ability to adapt and improve. He believes that once the details in the final third align, the team's potential will be realized. The focus now shifts to whether tactical adjustments can be made quickly enough to overcome the current scoring drought. With rivals watching closely and the title race already taking shape, Arsenal must demonstrate ruthlessness in front of goal to remain credible contenders for the championship.
As the season progresses, the balance between maintaining possession and creating clear-cut chances will likely come under greater scrutiny. The data indicates that Arsenal are generating opportunities but failing to capitalize on them efficiently. Whether this is a temporary adjustment period or a deeper structural issue will become clearer in the coming weeks. For now, the pressure is on Slegers to find a solution that unlocks his attackers' full potential before the gap at the top of the table becomes insurmountable.
Sources behind this briefing
Go to the original reporting
- BBC Sport↗Why are Arsenal struggling to score in WSL?
