Arsenal Women begin their UEFA Women’s Champions League campaign against HB Køge on Tuesday night with Renée Slegers searching for greater attacking efficiency.
Successive Women’s Super League draws against Crystal Palace and Manchester United have exposed a recurring problem.
Arsenal are controlling territory without consistently turning that control into clear chances.
Our analysis of Arsenal’s attacking problem before facing HB Køge examined why breaking compact defensive structures has become Slegers’ biggest immediate challenge.
Tuesday offers an opportunity to experiment.
Here are three changes she should consider.
1. Start Chloe Kelly to give Arsenal greater width
Chloe Kelly was left on the bench against Manchester United before entering during the closing stages.
The confirmed Arsenal line-up shows Slegers instead started Olivia Smith and Lisa Baum either side of a central pairing involving Alessia Russo and Stina Blackstenius.
Kelly offers something different.
Her willingness to remain wide, attack a full-back and deliver from advanced areas can help stretch a defensive block horizontally.
That matters when Arsenal’s passing becomes congested through central areas.
Against opponents who defend deep, creating an isolated one-against-one on the outside can be more valuable than adding another player into an already crowded middle.
Kelly is also confirmed in Arsenal’s Champions League squad.
Tuesday looks like an ideal opportunity to use her from the beginning.
2. Use Blackstenius as the focal striker
Slegers started Russo and Blackstenius together against Manchester United for the first time this season.
It did not solve Arsenal’s attacking problems.
Blackstenius still produced one of Arsenal’s best first-half opportunities, forcing Phallon Tullis-Joyce into a strong save with a header.
But there is an argument for simplifying the structure against HB Køge.
Blackstenius can operate as the highest attacker and constantly threaten the space behind the defensive line.
Russo could then be rested after another demanding start to the season and remain a powerful option from the bench if Arsenal require a different attacking profile.
With Kelly maintaining width, Blackstenius’ runs could also create more space for Arsenal’s midfielders to attack around the penalty area.
Slegers has enough depth to rotate without weakening the side significantly.
European league-phase football is exactly where that depth needs to matter.
3. Bring Kim Little back into midfield
Kim Little started on the bench against Manchester United.
That could change on Tuesday.
Arsenal’s problem recently has not simply been finishing chances.
They have also struggled to accelerate possession at the right moment when opponents settle into organised defensive shapes.
Little remains one of Arsenal’s most intelligent players in tight spaces.
Her ability to combine quickly around the edge of the penalty area, recognise passing angles and control the rhythm of possession could become particularly useful if HB Køge defend with numbers behind the ball.
Slegers does not necessarily need more attackers on the pitch.
She may need players capable of getting those attackers into better situations.
Little can provide that.
Arsenal have the squad to find another solution
Misa Rodríguez should remain in goal after starting Arsenal’s previous two league fixtures, while UEFA confirms she is part of the registered European squad alongside Anneke Borbe, Isabella Damm and Amy Liddiard. (uefa.com)
The bigger questions are further forward.
Arsenal have Kelly, Russo, Blackstenius, Smith, Caitlin Foord, Selina Cerci and others available.
Possessing options is not the problem.
Finding the combination capable of turning dominance into goals is.
Supporters can find the kick-off time and viewing information in our Arsenal Women vs HB Køge TV and live stream guide, while our evergreen Arsenal Women guide tracks Slegers’ squad throughout the season.
Tuesday’s European opener gives Arsenal an immediate chance to show that the lessons from their consecutive WSL draws have been absorbed.
Arsenal Women have one attacking problem Slegers must solve in Europe
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Arsenal Women vs HB Køge TV channel, live stream and kick-off time
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