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. Over the past fortnight, Arsenal’s head coach Renee Slegas has been forced to adopt a stoic front as the team endures a worrying slump.
The Gunners have failed to secure a win in their last four league matches, marking their poorest start to a season since 2014. When you examine their position on the table, the picture becomes even more disheartening.
Slegas has repeatedly argued that the side is being undone by "fine margins," suggesting that small, perhaps even random, incidents are tipping the balance against them. Yet, as the winless streak drags on, that explanation loses credibility. It seemed to crumble entirely when, after the defeat to Manchester City, Slegas 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, fine margins do not normally warrant such an exhaustive audit.
If the problem were truly a matter of luck or a handful of isolated errors, a modest tactical tweak would likely suffice. The fact that Slegas feels compelled to launch a sweeping investigation suggests deeper, systemic issues within the squad.
In reality, Arsenal appear to be caught in a confidence crisis, a pervasive self‑doubt that surfaces most acutely during high‑pressure moments in big games. This malaise is multi‑faceted and has serious ramifications for the team's performance.
A clear illustration of the problem unfolded within the first three minutes of Arsenal’s match at the Etihad on Sunday. Lisa Baum, a fresh face in the league known for her pace and eagerness to make an impact, found herself in a one‑on‑one situation with Manchester City defender Niamh Charles.
Rather than laying the ball off to Alessia Russo, who was making a well‑timed run into the box, Baum chose to shoot from a tight angle near the post. The attempt was low‑probability and ultimately wasted a golden scoring opportunity.
While it is easy to dismiss the decision as a rookie mistake—Baum is indeed new to top‑flight football and eager to prove herself—the pattern it reveals is concerning. Choosing the low‑percentage option over a higher‑chance pass has become a recurring theme for Arsenal in the attacking third.
The same scenario repeated when Georgia Stanway delivered a precise, sweeping pass to Emily Fox on the right flank. Fox attempted a speculative shot from an almost impossible angle, ignoring a better‑timed run by Russo on the far side of the defense. Had Fox delayed her effort by even a fraction of a second, Russo would have been in a far more advantageous position to finish. Stanway herself later tried an ambitious 30‑yard strike that sailed over the bar, echoing the earlier missed chances.
When isolated incidents become a pattern, they erode the team’s belief in its own ability to create and convert chances. This cycle of hesitation and indecision is now a hallmark of Arsenal’s recent play. The statistics back up the qualitative analysis. Arsenal’s expected‑goals (xG) differential is currently the worst in the league, and their conversion rate is equally alarming.
Shots are being taken in desperation, and the usual fluidity that characterises Arsenal’s DNA is replaced by tentative, fragmented play. This is not a loss of a few points due to fine margins; it is a fundamental breakdown in the creative process. Contrast this with Manchester City, whose side under Andree Jeglertz operates with a clear, purposeful rhythm across all three phases of play. City’s players move with a full range of motion, maintaining balance and flow as they transition from defence to attack.
Jeglertz, speaking after the match, praised Arsenal as a "great football team" but also highlighted his own side’s "very fluent" attacking style, noting that "we score in different ways." Arsenal’s creative paralysis means they cannot exploit the defensive lapses that City occasionally displays. While Alessia Russo did manage to score a well‑taken goal in the second half—her first of the domestic campaign—her strike is more an isolated flash of quality than evidence of a broader resurgence. Many Arsenal players are currently grappling with form issues that extend beyond a single off‑day, indicating deeper problems with confidence and decision‑making. Looking ahead, Slegas and her coaching staff face a critical test in the next block of fixtures, particularly the upcoming north‑London derby later this month.
The Dutch manager has forged a strong rapport with her squad and, importantly, still enjoys the backing of the club hierarchy despite the recent dip in results. Arsenal’s position is unlikely to change dramatically during the international window, but the break does present an opportunity for reflection and reset.
What is needed now is a reality check, not a continued reliance on the notion of fine margins. Arsenal must emerge from the break with a clear, decisive plan and an acceptance of responsibility for the shortcomings that have already been exposed. The gap between Arsenal and league leaders Manchester City is far from marginal—it stands at a substantial ten points. Closing that distance will require more than minor adjustments; it will demand a fundamental shift in mindset, tactical clarity, and a renewed belief in the team’s own attacking instincts.
In summary, the narrative surrounding Arsenal’s early season woes cannot be reduced to a few unlucky moments. The evidence points to a loss of nuance, a decline in confidence, and a need for a comprehensive overhaul of both attitude and approach.
If Slegas and her staff can translate this harsh diagnosis into concrete, bold actions during the international break, there is still a chance for the Gunners to halt their slide and begin rebuilding toward a more competitive season.