Renee Slegers appears more composed than one might expect given Arsenal's uneven start to the Women's Super League campaign. The team has already slipped off the expected pace after just three matches, and a familiar weakness is resurfacing at the Emirates Stadium. Following a promising debut that saw Arsenal secure a win over Brighton—a result that had previously handed Manchester City the title in the last season—the Gunners have since been held to consecutive draws.
First, they were unable to break down a newly-promoted Crystal Palace side, and then they shared points with a Manchester United outfit that had also lost its opening two fixtures. These outcomes have amplified the pressure ahead of the upcoming clash with Chelsea, a game that will be broadcast live on Sky Sports. The two opponents have employed low‑block defensive structures that Arsenal seemed to have managed better last season. This season, however, those compact formations have left the Gunners with the poorest expected‑goals (xG) performance in the league so far, despite the abundance of attacking talent at Slegers' disposal.
While other commentators may have differing opinions, Slegers herself attributes the current struggles more to mindset than to tactical flaws. She is determined to shift any burden of expectation away from her players and onto herself, believing that a calmer environment will enable the squad to find solutions on the pitch. In her own words, she wants to be the most composed figure at the club.
"It is frustrating that we have dropped four points," she acknowledges, before adding, "We cannot change the past now. The focus must be on the positives and on the areas where we can improve moving forward." She continues, "I am happy to take the pressure off the players when it is needed. If anyone has to carry the weight, it should be me. I want the players to feel free on the field, to play with clear heads, clear minds, and to trust their instincts." Slegers also reflected on the team's previous success in dealing with low‑block defenses, noting that they had once found the tools and solutions to break them down.
"We have other avenues to explore, such as set‑pieces, which can provide us with additional opportunities," she said. She outlined two possible coaching approaches: "You can either dive deeper into details and make things more complicated, or you can strip everything back to the basics." "In the end, actions speak louder than words. There has been a lot of talk, but now we need to demonstrate our intentions on the field and look ahead," she concluded. The situation felt reminiscent of Arsenal's recent Champions League debut at home against Koge.
An early goal from Chloe Kelly was disallowed after a VAR review, and the Gunners struggled to regain momentum. They eventually secured a 93rd‑minute penalty conversion by Mariona Caldentey to edge out the Danish side, which had previously lost all six of its Champions League matches in its lone prior appearance.
Had Kelly's goal stood, it might have eased the subconscious feeling of déjà vu among the Arsenal players, reducing the sense that history was repeating itself. Instead, the narrow escape reinforced the importance Slegers places on quick starts to win the mental battle.
"We are very hungry for early goals, and they are essential," she explained. "We continue to pursue them in every game and focus on everything within our control." "Tuesday demonstrated our mental resilience and our belief that we could secure the win. Before the match we admitted we didn't know when the goal would come—early or late—but an early strike would have dramatically altered the game's dynamics," Slegers added. She also addressed the difficulty of breaking down low‑block defenses: "Only a handful of teams excel at dismantling such setups, but we know we must improve in that area." Looking ahead, Arsenal may find some breathing room against Chelsea.
Unless the Blues adopt an unexpected tactical shift, they are unlikely to sit deep for extended periods at Stamford Bridge on Sunday. While Chelsea will still pose a significant threat, the match could also provide Arsenal's attacking players with a platform to showcase their abilities—something that has been limited thus far this season.
The upcoming fixture could be especially important for young winger Lisa Baum, the 19‑year‑old signed from RB Leipzig over the summer. She has started all three of Arsenal's WSL games to date and is eager for more opportunities. "She has earned her place in the team," Slegers said.
"I trust her because of her training ethic, attitude, and performances. She deserves the chance to contribute." "She is becoming a key figure in the squad.
She is still young, but she is already making a significant impact," the coach added. Four matches into any campaign, the phrase "must‑win" may feel excessive. At this stage, even a "must‑not‑lose" mentality could be more realistic, especially given the expanded format of the WSL. Dropping seven points to the league leaders by the end of September would have been a nightmare scenario that the pre‑season plan aimed to avoid, and it now looms as a real possibility.
"Playing Chelsea away is always a special occasion," Slegers remarked. "It is a charged London derby, and we are prepared for it. As always, if there is any pressure, I want to be the one shouldering it." Fans can catch the Chelsea versus Arsenal showdown on Sky Sports Premier League, with coverage beginning at 4:15 pm on Sunday and kickoff at 4:30 pm.
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