Manchester United Women arrive at Emirates Stadium on Saturday in desperate need of a response after making the worst start to a Women’s Super League season in the club’s history.
Eva Olid’s side have lost their opening two league matches, falling 2-1 to London City Lionesses before suffering a 5-0 home defeat against Chelsea.
According to Opta’s Arsenal vs Manchester United preview, it is the first time United have lost their opening two league games since their debut WSL campaign in 2019/20.
The scale of the defensive problems is even more concerning.
United have already conceded seven goals, the most in the division, before facing an Arsenal side looking to rediscover its cutting edge.
Manchester United Have Conceded Seven Goals in Two WSL Games
United’s problems have been visible at both ends of the pitch.
Opta’s analysis shows they have faced 37 shots across their opening two league fixtures and allowed opponents to generate 4.2 expected goals.
They have also faced 15 shots on target, among the highest totals in the division.
The 5-0 defeat to Chelsea exposed those issues most clearly.
Chelsea produced 25 attempts and 11 shots on target, while United managed only two efforts of their own during a one-sided afternoon.
The Guardian’s report from Chelsea’s five-goal victory detailed how Olid’s side struggled to cope with the visitors’ movement and attacking combinations.
Saturday brings another difficult assignment.
Arsenal Face a United Side Struggling to Create Chances
United have not only struggled defensively.
Their attacking numbers are also among the weakest in the WSL.
Opta records only six shots from their opening two league games.
Only one team in WSL history has attempted fewer across the opening two matches of a season.
That creates a stark contrast with Arsenal.
Renée Slegers’ side have attempted 43 shots and generated 3.9 expected goals through their opening two league fixtures.
The frustration is that Arsenal have converted that dominance into just one goal.
Our analysis of Arsenal Women’s finishing problems against Crystal Palace showed how the Gunners produced 30 attempts without scoring last weekend.
Manchester United’s defensive record therefore provides Arsenal with an opportunity to show that work on the training ground has produced a
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