Arsenal sit five points adrift of WSL leaders Chelsea after six games, and are currently outside Champions League spots. Having got off to a flying start, the European Champions went winless for three games, notching two draws and a defeat.
What has gone wrong for the Gunners so far this season? You could argue nothing. Arsenal were not a strong side in the WSL last season, finishing third. Their domestic season was encapsulated by a 5-2 defeat away to Villa.
Arsenal had to win at Villa Park last season to keep themselves in with a shot at the title. At half time they found themselves 2-0, they overcommitted in desperation which lead to a 5-2 loss.
Against London City Lionesses and West Ham, Arsenal ran out confident winners with 4-1 and 5-1 results respectively. But these shorelines are flattering. In both games, Arsenal looked average for 60 minutes, and only turned it on for 30 minutes. This has been the case all season.
When Arsenal play at their full ability, they show why they are European Champions, but consistency matters. At the top level, you can not only be good for a third of the time, you must be good for the full game.
Despite the dull and uninspired periods throughout the games, Arsenals midfield and attack is not necessarily the issue. Only Manchester United, who have the joint best defence in the league, have kept a clean sheet against the Gunners.
New signing Olivia Smith has hit the ground running and justified her price tag. She has been phenomenal on the wing for Arsenal and some of the goals she’s scored are worth the ticket fee alone. Her dynamic dribbling has earned her side many opportunities which haven’t been capitalised on.
Chloe Kelly, now on a permanent contract, has scored twice in her 130 minutes on the pitch. She has resumed her role as being a super sub, a role she played for England over the summer. Her heroics against Manchester City nearly salvaged a point before Beney gave the Citizens the lead again.
Russo has had her share of the goals, with four goal contributions in the WSL and two goals in the Champions League so far. Arsenal are lucky to have a striker of such quality who is entering her athletic peak.
Arsenal have scored the third most goals in the league, but are mid table for goals conceded. Defence has been sloppy so far, with obvious breakdowns in communication between van Domselaar and her back four.
Captain Leah Williamson has been sidelined with an ACL injury and is expected to return in either November or December. Missing their star centre back is sure to have hurt defensive capabilities, especially considering Williamson’s leadership qualities and aerial strength could have prevented some of the goals Arsenal have conceded.
Arsenals midfield has been surprisingly offensive, and they could benefit from a holding midfielder. Kim Little has been pushed back into an eight role, away from the 10 where I think she is best suited.
Her quality is abundant, dropping deep to receive the ball from the back four and transition forwards. Renée Slegers may have been aware not having Williamson, a ball playing centre back extremely capable of making dynamic progressive passes, could leave Arsenal uninspired at the back.
By playing Little in a deeper role, it makes up for the qualities Arsenal miss in possession by not having Williamson. But this adjustment leaves a midfield three of Magnum, Little, and Caldentey. All like getting forward into attacking positions.
Kate Reid has looked competent in her role, despite her young age, but she does need support. When Williamson returns, Arsenal could be well rounded by playing the captain as a defensive midfielder, a position she played at academy level. This would give Arsenal some security and an anchor for their passing.
Being able to rotate through Little, Magnum, and Caldentey will leave the trio fresh for tough opposition, and give Slegers more options off the bench. Could this be the solution to Arsenals shakiness in their own third?
Arsenal’s season is by no means irredeemable. They are five points adrift with 20 games left, plenty of time to make up the ground. But they need to get their act together soon. Chelsea look indestructible, the champions have won five and drawn one.
Coming back from the international break, Arsenal will get to ease back in to domestic football with a fixture against ninth placed Leicester before hosting Chelsea at the Emirates stadium. These two next games could decide the season for Arsenal. Failure to win both could drop them out of the title race, and its only November.
Jake Holmes
Jake grew up in London as an avid football and basketball fanatic. He has written on the Premier League, La Liga, and several of other leagues across Europe. Along with his writing, he has hosted podcasts on the NBA and works London City Lionesses. Jake focuses on tactical analysis along with wider socio-political issues affecting sport at all levels. [email protected]
View all posts