Arsenal Faces Struggles in UWCL and WSL
The Women’s Super League (WSL) returned following the international break, with most teams having played six matches. What insights can we gather from these games, and what potential challenges might teams face in the coming months?
Arsenal’s Position at Risk
Last season, Arsenal triumphed in the UEFA Women’s Champions League (UWCL), yet they fell short in the WSL, unable to keep pace with Chelsea. They are eager to secure their first domestic title since 2019, but as of now, they sit in fifth place (W3, D2, L1), trailing league leaders Chelsea by five points. Remarkably, they have already lost seven points this season, more than Chelsea did throughout the previous campaign.
Beth Mead is leading the team in assists with three, while Mariona Caldentey is notable for her shot-creating actions (31) and chances created (17). Despite this, Stina Blackstenius averages the most goal contributions per 90 minutes at 1.57, though she has only played a total of 170 minutes. Overall, Arsenal’s scoring has not matched last season’s form; previously, they registered over four goals in eight consecutive home games, but the attacking brilliance has been lacking this season.
Furthermore, Alessia Russo‘s performance has illustrated some issues in attack. Although she ranks eighth in the league for total shots taken (16), she is not in the top ten for shots on target (5), highlighting their struggles in converting opportunities into goals. This inefficiency has cost them crucial points.
Arsenal’s defensive issues could be alleviated if their backline was more solid. Currently, they are without key center back Leah Williamson, whose absence has been deeply felt. Currently, they have the second-fewest tackles in the league (88) and the lowest success rate (38.9%) along with the fewest clearances (63).
With the potential absence of summer signing Olivia Smith due to an injury sustained while on international duty with Canada, along with goalkeeper Daphne van Domselaar stepping back from the Netherlands national team, Arsenal faces a challenging few matches ahead. Two upcoming London derbies against Chelsea and Spurs, after their away fixture against Leicester City, could see them slip further down the table, especially with just two points separating them from London City, who recently earned promotion.
Manchester City’s Focus on Domestic League
Manchester City has only dropped points once this season, suffering a loss to Chelsea on opening day, which was also the first match for new manager Andrée Jeglertz. Since then, they have shown significant improvement and teamwork.
Unlike last year, City is not participating in the UWCL, having missed out on third place to Manchester United. This absence could allow them to concentrate on their league ambitions without the burden of midweek matches. Last season, juggling UWCL commitments and injuries led to a fourth-place finish (W13, D4, L5). Contrast this with the previous year, when they finished level on points with Chelsea but lost the title due to goal difference as they achieved a record of W18, D1, L3.
This season, City has returned to form, winning five out of six matches and sitting just one point off first place. Their Expected Goals (xG) stands at 15.58, the highest in the league, alongside being the top-scoring team with 17 goals.
As they prepare for the Manchester derby, City aims to exploit United’s focus on two crucial UWCL matches against Paris Saint-Germain and VfL Wolfsburg. Their promising start suggests they might be serious contenders for the title again.
Spurs’ Solid Defense Amidst Early Success
Tottenham Hotspur is on the verge of matching their total number of wins from last season (5), with four victories in their first six matches, showcasing significant progress under new manager Martin Ho.
Last season, Spurs had a difficult time, finishing 11th with poor offensive and defensive records. This year, however, their resurgence is evident. Despite facing the highest number of shots in the league (94), they have conceded only seven goals, which speaks to their disciplined defensive approach. Defender Clare Hunt is excelling, leading the league in blocks (16) and clearances (41), while goalkeeper Lize Kop has kept three clean sheets, tied for the top in the league.
Remarkably, Kop has only needed to make 11 saves from those 94 shots, indicating a vastly improved defensive unit that is the bedrock of their success thus far.
Agyemang’s Injury Clouds Brighton’s Attack
Michelle Agyemang‘s ACL injury poses a significant setback for Brighton & Hove Albion, impacting their offensive capabilities. The team has struggled offensively, netting just six goals in six matches. While they have maintained possession effectively, much of their play has been restricted to their own half, reflecting an emphasis on defense rather than creativity and offensive threat.
Goalkeeper Chiamaka Nnadozie has performed admirably, recording two clean sheets with an 85.7% save percentage. Nevertheless, her workload has made her the third-most tested goalkeeper, and without her solid presence, Brighton might be lower than their current seventh-place standing.
To relieve defensive pressure, Brighton needs to enhance their creativity in the attacking third. However, Agyemang’s absence complicates matters. The remaining forwards must now step up, with Kiko Seike showing flashes of offensive consistency, though few others have stepped up regularly.
West Ham and Liverpool Struggle Without Points
West Ham United manager Rehanne Skinner is grappling with a stretch of eight consecutive losses, a troubling scenario considering her previous dismissal from Spurs after a similar downturn. Immediate improvement is crucial for her job security. Meanwhile, Liverpool‘s Gareth Taylor has also faced challenges with five losses in his first five games since taking charge over the summer.
Both managers share the burden of leading struggling teams. Each has only managed to score two goals, but West Ham’s high number of goals conceded (17) has pushed them into the relegation zone with a -15 goal difference, allowing them an alarming average of 2.8 goals against per game, while they have recorded the most tackles (143).
Although Liverpool has played one game fewer than West Ham, their situation is compounded by ACL injuries to key forwards Marie Hobinger and Sophie Román Haug, diminishing their attacking options and making life challenging going into tough matches against Spurs, Brighton, and Chelsea. Currently, they hold the second-lowest xG in the league (3.35), with little sign of improvement ahead.
While Taylor is likely to receive time due to his recent hiring, Skinner’s position may become precarious if her team fails to gain points against City, Leicester, or Everton in the following matches.
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