Arsenal Women Weekly Roundup: Paris collapse and City defeat deepen concerns
It has been another bruising week for Arsenal Women.
Last Sunday’s Weekly Roundup followed the disappointing 1-0 defeat at Chelsea, but hopes that Europe might provide a quick response were dashed in Paris before things became even more difficult at Manchester City today.
Arsenal have now gone four WSL matches without a win and sit ten points behind leaders City after only five league games.
Arsenal throw away two-goal lead in Paris
Wednesday initially looked like being the response Renée Slegers needed.
Alessia Russo put Arsenal ahead against Paris FC before Georgia Stanway doubled the advantage shortly after half-time.
But Clara Mateo pulled one back before an extraordinary late incident cost Arsenal victory.
Misa Rodriguez appeared to roll the ball towards Leah Williamson for the defender to take a goal-kick, but the referee judged that play had already restarted. Williamson stopped the ball with her hand and Paris FC were awarded a penalty, which Maeline Mendy converted for a 2-2 draw.
Slegers did not attend the post-match press conference, with assistant Aaron D’Antino taking her place after another frustrating evening.
According to The Guardian, Arsenal’s difficult week then continued dramatically at the Etihad on Sunday.
Two leads disappear as Manchester City win 4-2
Arsenal twice led the defending champions.
Lisa Baum opened the scoring shortly before half-time, only for Lauren Hemp to equalise during stoppage time.
Russo then restored Arsenal’s advantage four minutes after the restart, scoring for the second successive match.
Again, though, the Gunners could not protect their lead.
Substitute Kerstin Casparij made it 2-2 before Hemp struck her second, and Bunny Shaw completed City’s 4-2 victory late on.
There was also a familiar face in the Manchester City XI, with former Gunner Beth Mead starting against Arsenal. Mead played 61 minutes before being replaced by Mary Fowler, adding another subplot to an already difficult afternoon for her former club.
There was further concern when Mariona Caldentey went down injured shortly before half-time and had to be replaced, visibly upset as she left the pitch.
Earlier today we looked at how Slegers continues to have the backing of Arsenal’s hierarchy, but the situation has undoubtedly become more difficult.
Arsenal are now tenth with five points from five WSL matches, having won only their opening league game. City, meanwhile, have a perfect 15 points.
The international break perhaps arrives at the right moment.
Arsenal desperately need to reset, because for a squad with this much quality, their domestic start has fallen far below expectations.
