Arsenal's Struggles Continue: Is Renee Slegers' Job at Risk?
Many saw Arsenal as strong contenders for the Women’s Super League crown this season. Despite a promising transfer window that strengthened their squad depth, their start has been underwhelming with only one win in six league games. This poor run has placed head coach Renee Slegers under mounting pressure.
A Rocky Start
Going into the season, Arsenal appeared ready to build on recent success, including their 2025 Champions League win and a close title challenge against Manchester City last year. Yet, despite high expectations, results have not followed. Their recent draw against newly-promoted Birmingham City extended their winless streak to five WSL matches—the first time in club history—leaving them eighth in the 14-team league, trailing by 12 points in a short 26-game campaign.
Struggling Against Defensive Blocks
The team’s biggest issue has been breaking down teams that sit deep. While last season saw Arsenal excel when controlling possession, this year’s performances tell a different story. Matches against Crystal Palace and Birmingham showed they dominated possession but failed to convert opportunities. Even in the Champions League, their 1-0 win over Koge was secured only through a late penalty.
The problem often lies in a sluggish tempo during possession, making it easier for opponents to stay compact. Arsenal currently underperform relative to their expected goals, highlighting issues with chance conversion despite creating plenty of opportunities.
Slegers’ Visible Frustration
Normally composed, Renee Slegers has begun showing signs of frustration in recent weeks. After a 2-2 Champions League draw with Paris FC, where an unusual handball incident helped the opposition come back from two goals down, Slegers skipped the post-match press conference, leaving assistant Aaron D’Antino to speak. Reports suggested she was upset in the dressing room, even shedding tears, which sparked speculation about her future.
Following that, she apologized for missing the media. Her emotions were less intense after Saturday’s comeback draw, but frustration with her players and their performance was apparent.
Questionable Decisions Raise Eyebrows
Although many factors lie beyond her control, some of Slegers’ choices have drawn criticism. The management of squad rotation, particularly the limited minutes for summer signing Geraldine Reuteler and the rotating goalkeepers, has faced scrutiny amid mistakes in goal.
Lineup decisions have also puzzled fans and analysts. For example, Alessia Russo was deployed as a No.10 while Stina Blackstenius played center-forward, a combination previously effective but ineffective against defensive setups like Birmingham’s.
Birmingham’s coach Amy Merricks revealed a tactical move to switch Oceane Hurtre to target Arsenal’s left flank, specifically focusing on Ona Batlle. Although Batlle, a right-footed player, has adapted to left-back, the opposition identified this as a weak spot. This raises questions if Batlle is best positioned there or simply filling in due to other options like Emily Fox and Smilla Holmberg occupying right-back roles.
Will There Be Change at Arsenal?
Asked about the team’s troubles, Slegers remained confident that the situation is fixable, pointing to defensive lapses and scoring inefficiencies as key problems. She emphasized that Arsenal still plays their style and controls matches, which offers hope.
Despite this, her position remains uncertain. She carries goodwill after leading Arsenal to European glory less than 18 months ago—the first English women's team to win the Champions League since 2007. Still, the league title seems out of reach now, leading to speculation about whether fresh leadership is needed.
"I still believe I can impact and help the team move forwards," said Slegers. "But I think it’s always, if that’s not the case anymore, then a change needs to happen."
It appears any decision on Slegers’ future might come from her own reflection rather than a boardroom call. Meanwhile, local rivals Tottenham, who held Arsenal to a goalless draw last season, will be eager to add to Arsenal’s troubles when they meet this weekend.
