Arsenal’s manager, Renee Slegers, has openly acknowledged that her side are no longer contenders for this season’s Women’s Super League crown after a 4-2 defeat to Manchester City left the Gunners perched in tenth place, a full ten points behind the league leaders. The loss at the Etihad on Sunday saw Arsenal briefly take the lead twice, only for City to rally in the closing stages and secure all three points, propelling Andree Jeglertz’s side back to the top of the table as the international break approaches. The setback is particularly stark because it marks only the second defeat for Arsenal after just five matches, representing the poorest start to a WSL campaign since 2014.
The disappointment follows a 2-2 draw against Paris FC in the Champions League on Wednesday, a game in which Arsenal had been two goals ahead before collapsing in the latter half. That result amplified the scrutiny on the Dutch coach ahead of the Sunday trip to Manchester, where Arsenal once again squandered a lead and returned to London empty‑handed.
In response, Slegers announced that she and her coaching staff will undertake a thorough review of the early‑season performances during the upcoming international break. "It is a tough result," she told Sky Sports after the match. "The first half was a seesaw, both teams creating chances. In the second half we started well and even scored a good goal, but after City made three substitutions they injected fresh energy and one of those changes led to the goal." She continued, "After that it became harder for us.
It was an evenly matched game between two quality sides, but we failed to find the margins we needed in the crucial moments. Conceding four goals is unacceptable and we are not happy with that. Their changes made them dominant." Slegers emphasized the mental strain of the season, noting that the squad often feels they have control of a match only to lose it.
"It’s very demanding mentally. It will be good for the players to go on international duty, get new energy and a change of environment, then return and we can prepare for the next game," she said. She added that the review will cover every aspect of the club’s operations – from training programmes to broader organisational matters – with the aim of identifying areas for improvement. "At the moment we’re not in the title conversation, no," she concluded.
Manchester City’s manager, Andree Jeglertz, offered a supportive perspective, insisting that Arsenal remain a strong side. "It’s not about Arsenal being a bad team. They are a great football club. They struggled early on, but they have quality players and I’m confident that by spring they will be back fighting for the title," Jeglertz said.
Former Scotland international Rachel Corsie, speaking on Sky Sports, highlighted that the pressure extends beyond Slegers to the entire squad. "When you look at the performances, especially against Chelsea, they showed intensity and purpose. The players are clearly disappointed with today’s result.
Being tenth in the table is far below the standards this club sets for itself," Corsie remarked. She pointed to earlier draws with Palace and United as the beginning of mounting pressure, but remained hopeful, saying, "They still have enough quality. It’s not over, but it will be an uphill battle from here." Sky Sports analyst Izzy Christiansen defended Slegers’ position, arguing that the coach should not be under threat.
"Renee Slegers is an outstanding manager and the bond with the players is evident. The midfield still needs tweaking – Kyra Cooney‑Cross should be a constant presence, Georgia Stanway is still finding her footing, and Kim Little continues to deliver.
Slegers will need to make bold selections moving forward," Christiansen said. Christiansen also noted the emerging two‑horse race at the top of the league between Chelsea and Manchester City, praising Chelsea’s superb start and suggesting that even the London City Lionesses are making their presence felt. "Chelsea have been playing excellent football and are strengthening with each game," she added. Overall, the consensus among pundits is that Arsenal must use the international break to regroup, reassess tactics, and restore confidence.
The club’s recent struggles underscore the competitive nature of the WSL, where early missteps can quickly widen the gap between title contenders and the rest of the field. As the season progresses, the Gunners will need to find consistency, tighten their defensive lapses, and rediscover the attacking fluency that has defined their historic success. Only through a comprehensive review and decisive adjustments can they hope to climb back into the conversation and challenge the league’s front‑runners once more.