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Emily Keogh
Arsenal will go head-to-head with Chelsea in the Women’s Super League (WSL) on Saturday, and the current European champions find themselves already five points behind the league leaders, having lost seven points from their initial six matches.
This is a concerning figure, especially given that the unbeaten Blues dropped fewer points throughout the entire last season while securing their sixth consecutive title. Another defeat would widen the gap to a challenging eight points — a distance likely hard to overcome considering the shortness of the 22-game season.
What are the key challenges facing each side?
What is Arsenal’s condition?
This match is crucial for Arsenal — possibly even defining for manager Renée Slegers at such an early stage. Aside from trying to close a five-point gap in the WSL, the Gunners must navigate the demanding fixtures of the Champions League, with travel and player rotation inevitably challenging the depth and durability of their squad. A defeat at this point would not only affect their morale but could also leave them trailing in the title race before reaching the season’s midpoint.
For a team aiming to defend their European title and regain domestic dominance — with their last championship win occurring in 2019 — this encounter is pivotal to sustain their season.
Arsenal have been grappling with issues at both offense and defense this season. In terms of scoring, their typically sharp offensive line has struggled. This is a team that recorded four or more goals in eight straight home matches last season — a testament to their attacking strength, yet the finishing ability has lately abandoned them (evidenced by the heatmap below).
Their build-up play remains crisp, but the finishing touch has been lacking, with numerous clear chances squandered. They hold the third-most shots (113) so far, but only 40 of those were on target (a rather average 35.4%), reflecting their difficulties in being clinical.
On the defensive end, things haven’t been much more stable. Goalkeeper Daphne van Domselaar has only secured two clean sheets to date, a surprisingly low figure considering her dependability last season. The ongoing injury absence of vice-captain and defensive anchor Leah Williamson has evidently created a gap.
In her absence, Slegers has faced challenges in establishing a consistent center-back partnership for Steph Catley, experimenting with various combinations in search of balance. While 19-year-old Katie Reid has risen to the occasion admirably, her lack of experience sometimes shows, and the defense’s steadiness remains delicate under pressure.
Slegers is not currently facing immediate threats to her position — at least not at this moment. Her notable Champions League victory last season has given her substantial credit, enough to protect her from the scrutiny that may not have applied to other coaches in similar situations.
Nonetheless, that goodwill is not infinite. With her contract due to expire at season’s end, the pressure is mounting each week. A season without trophies would be a significant blow, particularly following her bold claim that this would be the year Arsenal ended their title drought; should that aspiration fall short, her future at the club could swiftly be questioned.
What is Chelsea’s condition?
This season hasn’t been entirely convincing for Chelsea thus far. Their usual ruthlessness, confidence, and ability to overpower opponents has been somewhat lacking. Still, in true Chelsea style, that hasn’t impacted their results too significantly. The league leaders continue to grind out wins, especially in crucial matches that influence title races.
Their recent win against Manchester City — who also managed to triumph over Arsenal — demonstrated their intent. Coupled with a hard-fought draw against Manchester United, it’s clear how Chelsea finds themselves in prime position. A mere point separates them from City, two from United, and a growing five-point buffer from Arsenal, who have stumbled early on. That gap could widen even more this weekend if Chelsea secures a positive result, sending a strong signal to the rest of the league.
Last season, it was their matchup against Arsenal that marked a critical turning point. Chelsea’s 2-1 victory at the Emirates — their first-ever away win at that venue — not only sealed former manager Jonas Eidevall’s future but also erased any lingering mental blocks regarding facing the Gunners in north London. Currently, the only thing hindering them from possibly pushing Arsenal out of the title race early on might be their own performance.
Defensively, Chelsea has appeared unusually fragile at times, with mistakes at the back granting opponents chances they wouldn’t have received in previous seasons. Typically, that might be excused if their attack were firing on all cylinders, but a subdued frontline has left fans longing for the sharpness that once characterized this team.
Chelsea has been lacking a clear focal point in their attack this season. Aggie Beever-Jones has maintained her impressive scoring streak with four goals from seven matches, but she has put in significant effort to earn each one (as illustrated by her actions graphic above). With Mayra Ramírez out until 2026 and Sam Kerr’s playing time still being cautiously managed post-injury, the team is without a standard center forward presence.
This is not a critique of Beever-Jones; quite the opposite. Her ability to hold possession, occupy defenders, and create space for teammates has been essential to the team’s attacking effectiveness this season. However, despite her valuable contributions, Chelsea’s attack still lacks a natural reference point — a forward who can consistently connect play and lead the attack both in presence and precision. This isn’t a quick fix, but one that may evolve as the season continues.
If Chelsea can reclaim that balance between tenacity and creativity, it’s hard to envision anyone hindering their progression towards another league title. Achieving a vital win against their nearest rivals this weekend would be a significant milestone.
