Arsenal’s hopes of competing for the Women’s Super League (WSL) title have suffered a significant blow after their 4-2 defeat to Manchester City at the Etihad Stadium on Sunday. Following five matches, Arsenal sit ten points behind league leaders City, leaving their manager Renée Slegers to concede that the title race is effectively out of reach.
The contest between last season’s top two sides proved dramatic, with Arsenal twice taking the lead before City mounted comebacks. Lisa Baum opened the scoring late in the first half after City goalkeeper Ayaka Yamashita failed to control the ball, allowing Baum to tap in. However, Lauren Hemp equalized for the hosts in stoppage time of the first half with a low, deflected shot. Arsenal regained the lead early in the second half through Alessia Russo, who capitalized on a misplaced pass from Yui Hasegawa to find the bottom corner.
Despite these advantages, Arsenal were unable to maintain their lead. Manchester City’s Kerstin Casparij curled a shot into the net with her first touch shortly after entering as a substitute, leveling the match. Hemp then put City ahead by threading a ball through goalkeeper Anneke Borbe’s legs. Jessie Shaw completed the scoring with a goal six minutes from time, securing City’s fifth successive victory this season and extending their unbeaten start.
The loss marked Arsenal’s worst start to a WSL campaign since 2014, with only five points accumulated so far and a four-match winless streak—an indication of the difficulties they face this term. Slegers acknowledged the challenges in the aftermath and suggested the club will review various aspects including training and broader strategic issues. Speaking after the match, she apologised to the traveling Arsenal supporters and admitted the team was no longer part of the title conversation.
Manchester City’s head coach Andrée Jeglertz praised Hemp’s performance, highlighting her versatility and work rate as crucial to the team’s success. City’s attacking prowess has been evident, maintaining an average of four goals per league game this season. The Etihad Stadium hosted its first WSL match since the club’s men’s side was found guilty of multiple financial rule breaches, though there was little indication that issue overshadowed the women’s game.
Elsewhere in the WSL, London City Lionesses delivered a comprehensive 6-1 victory over Tottenham, with summer signings Alexia Putellas and Kadidiatou Diani both scoring twice. Chelsea secured a 3-0 away win against West Ham, while Brighton overcame Charlton 5-1. Everton edged Birmingham 2-1 at home thanks to a double from Ruby Mace, and Crystal Palace and Aston Villa played out a 1-1 draw.
With Manchester City continuing their dominant start and Arsenal struggling to find form, the league landscape appears to be shifting early in the season as the international break approaches.