"Even Stina Blackstenius' 93rd-minute winner against Everton in their penultimate Women's Super League (WSL) match of the season did little to change the bigger picture. Manchester City have already been crowned champions as Arsenal's wait for a first WSL title since 2019 continues. While the Gunners lifted the inaugural Champions Cup, they failed to retain their Women's Champions League title and also exited the FA Cup at the quarter-final stage and the League Cup in the semi-finals."
"Starting slowly has become a costly trend for Arsenal. After winning their first two league matches by an aggregate score of 9-2, Arsenal picked up just two points from their next three outings, including a 3-2 defeat by rivals Manchester City, and later drew back-to-back matches against Chelsea and Tottenham in November. The Christmas deficit? Eight points after 11 matches. It is a gap they have been unable to close."
"And this is not unique to Slegers' tenure. In the past three campaigns, their title ambitions have been curtailed by costly early season form between September and November. "The start of the season was another issue for them. They've done that for a couple of seasons now and then they're on catch-up," former England forward Ellen White said on the Women's Football Weekly podcast."
"Whatever is said in the summer, making a hot start has to be the priority. Finishing fourth was not the plan for Manchester City last season, but it may have been a blessing in disguise for the 2025-26 champions. After all, Andree Jeglertz's side have had the luxury of playing 10 fewer games than Arsenal. The expanded Champions League format this season meant more matches, while the Gunners also played an extra two games"
Arsenal’s season has not delivered major trophies, with Manchester City already crowned champions and Arsenal still waiting for a first WSL title since 2019. Arsenal won the inaugural Champions Cup but failed to retain their Women’s Champions League title, exited the FA Cup at the quarter-final stage, and were eliminated from the League Cup in the semi-finals. Their league form has been shaped by slow starts, including dropping points after strong early wins and drawing multiple matches later. After 11 matches, Arsenal had an eight-point deficit that they could not close. The pattern of poor early-season results has repeated across recent campaigns, leaving Arsenal playing catch-up.
Read at www.bbc.com
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