Renee Slegers, the manager currently under intense scrutiny at Arsenal Women, conceded that her squad are no longer part of the title chase in this season's Women's Super League 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 late in the game 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 Arsenal's second defeat in just five matches of the new campaign, a start that is the poorest the club has experienced in a WSL season since 2014. The disappointment follows a 2-2 draw against Paris FC in the UEFA Women's Champions League on Wednesday, a match in which Arsenal had built a two‑goal advantage before collapsing in the latter stages of the second half.
That collapse only heightened the spotlight on the Dutch coach ahead of the Sunday trip to Manchester, where the Gunners again surrendered a lead and left the capital without any points. "It is a tough result," Slegers told Sky Sports after the game.
"The first half was very back‑and‑forth, both sides creating chances and showing momentum. In the second half we started well and even scored a quality goal, but after City made three substitutions they injected fresh energy and one of those changes directly led to their equaliser. From that point on it became increasingly difficult for us.
It was a tight contest between two strong teams, but we failed to find the margins we needed in the decisive moments. Conceding four goals is unacceptable, and we are not satisfied with that outcome." She went on to acknowledge City’s dominance after the tactical tweaks: "After their changes, they became dominant. It has been a pattern this season where we feel we have the game and then lose it.
That inconsistency is mentally draining. It will be good for the players to go on international duty, recharge, experience a different environment and return with renewed energy for the next match." Slegers admitted that a comprehensive review is required: "There is a lot to analyse – from our training programme to the broader structural issues behind the scenes. We will examine every aspect of how we have been operating and do everything we can to identify where improvements can be made. At this moment, we are definitely not in the title conversation." Manchester City’s boss, Andree Jeglertz, offered a more optimistic view of Arsenal’s prospects: "It’s not about Arsenal being a bad team.
They are a great football side. They struggled early on, but they have quality players and I am confident that by the spring they will be back in the fight for the championship. Nothing fundamental has changed for them." Former Scotland international Rachel Corsie, speaking on Sky Sports, expanded on the pressure surrounding the team: "The pressure isn’t just on Slegers, it’s on the whole squad.
When you look at their performances – for example the Sunday game and the match against Chelsea – they showed enough intensity and purpose, but they fell short. The players are visibly disappointed with today’s result. Being tenth in the table is far below the standards this club sets for itself, especially given the expectations that come with the Arsenal name. The draws against Palace and United have added to the mounting pressure.
They still have a chance, but it will be an uphill battle from here." Former England international and pundit Izzy Christiansen also defended Slegers’ position: "I don’t think Renee Slegers’ job should be in jeopardy. She is an outstanding coach and the bond she has with the players is evident. The midfield still needs work – Kyra Cooney‑Cross should become a constant presence, Georgia Stanway is still finding her footing, and Kim Little continues to deliver. Slegers will need to make bold selection decisions moving forward.
The league now looks like a two‑horse race between Chelsea and Manchester City, both of whom have started the season brilliantly. London City Lionesses are also improving, and the competition is only getting tougher." The broader context of the season suggests that Arsenal’s early struggles could be symptomatic of deeper issues, such as squad rotation, injury management, and the integration of new signings. The Gunners have a talented core, but the lack of consistency has cost them points.
As the team heads into the international break, there will be an opportunity for players to gain fresh perspectives from their national teams, recover from minor injuries, and return with a renewed focus. The coaching staff will likely use this period to reassess tactical setups, perhaps experimenting with different formations in training to address the midfield imbalance and defensive frailties that have been exposed. Looking ahead, Arsenal will need to rebuild confidence, tighten their defensive shape, and find a reliable goal‑scoring outlet. If they can address these areas, the narrative could shift from a season of disappointment to one of redemption, especially if they can climb back into the top half of the table after the break.
For now, however, Slegers and her staff face a critical review period, with the aim of turning a dismal start into a more competitive campaign as the season progresses.