Laura Hunter, a columnist for Sky Sports, breaks down the most pressing issues emerging from the second round of Women's Super League fixtures, offering readers a deeper look at the narratives shaping the women's game today. Renee Slegers has been forced to keep a brave face over the past fortnight.
Arsenal have failed to win any of their last four league matches, marking their poorest start to a season since 2014. The stark reality of their league standing paints an even grimmer picture when examined closely. There are few defensible explanations for such a dip in form, especially as Slegers repeatedly insists that her side is merely losing out on "fine margins." The longer this winless streak drags on, the less credible that argument becomes. In fact, the credibility of the "fine margins" excuse seems to have evaporated entirely after Slegers, following the loss to Manchester City, announced that the club would use the forthcoming international break to conduct a thorough review of "not only what we see on matchday, but everything in the background." She added, "We have to turn over every stone." By definition, small margins do not normally warrant such an exhaustive inquiry.
To suggest that Arsenal have simply been unlucky up to this point ignores the reality that minor adjustments are unlikely to reverse the malaise afflicting a talented squad. If minor tweaks were sufficient, many of the issues Slegers promises to address over the next two weeks could be resolved without the need for a sweeping overhaul. What appears to be happening instead is a crisis of confidence, a pervasive self‑doubt that surfaces most acutely during high‑pressure moments in big games.
This is a multifaceted problem with serious ramifications. Consider Lisa Baum’s performance at the Etihad on Sunday.
Within three minutes of kickoff she escaped the pressure of Niamh Charles, only to opt for a low‑probability near‑post attempt rather than square the ball to Alessia Russo for a straightforward tap‑in. In isolation, that decision might be dismissed as a rookie mistake.
Baum is a new‑comer to the league, a youthful winger eager to make an impression, and she certainly had the right to take the shot herself. However, this pattern of opting for low‑percentage options is becoming a recurring theme that hampers Arsenal’s effectiveness in the final third.
A similar scenario unfolded when Georgia Stanway delivered a brilliant through‑ball to Emily Fox on the right. Fox tried to beat Ayaka Yamashita from an almost impossible angle.
A split‑second of patience would have seen Russo make a clever blind‑side run behind Jade Rose, arriving unmarked at the back post. Shortly thereafter, Stanway unleashed a wayward 30‑yard strike that missed the target entirely. When such moments repeat, they evolve from isolated errors into a recognizable pattern, eroding the team’s confidence and undermining their ability to secure points. Statistically, this loss of nuance is evident.
Arsenal’s expected‑goals (xG) differential sits at the bottom of the league, and their conversion rate is equally troubling. As desperation sets in, shots are taken hastily, and doubt infiltrates the very patterns of play that have traditionally defined Arsenal’s footballing DNA. This defeat was not a matter of “fine margins.” Manchester City possess a roster of genuine match‑winners, whereas Arsenal lack that decisive edge.
The physical conditioning of the two sides also diverges sharply. City, under Andree Jeglertz, operate with fluidity, balance, and purpose across every third of the pitch. Their attacking play is described by Jeglertz as "very fluent," with goals arriving from a variety of routes.
In contrast, Arsenal appear paralyzed creatively, managing only two goals largely because of defensive lapses on City’s part rather than any proactive attacking brilliance. Alessia Russo did showcase her finishing ability with a timely second‑half goal, her first of the domestic season, offering a glimmer of hope. Yet she is one of several players whose form has dipped beyond what can be chalked up to a single off‑day.
The upcoming international break presents Slegers and her coaching staff with a critical window for reflection and adjustment. The toughest test of her tenure at Arsenal lies ahead, beginning with the north‑London derby later this month. Despite the current inconsistency, Slegers has forged a strong rapport with her squad and retains the club’s backing, even as results falter.
Arsenal’s position is unlikely to shift dramatically during the international window, but the need for a reality check is immediate. The era of blaming "fine margins" must end. Arsenal require a decisive impact from the break and a more purposeful acceptance of responsibility for the shortcomings that have already emerged.
The gap separating them from league leaders Manchester City is far from marginal—it stands at a substantial ten points. Closing that chasm will demand more than incremental tweaks; it will require a fundamental reassessment of tactics, mindset, and execution. Play Super 6 for a chance to win £1m!
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