What do Arsenal stand for? Wasteful Gunners risk falling off WSL title pace after United draw

Record streak offers no consolation

Arsenal have set a club record for the longest unbeaten streak in the Women's Super League (20 games). But that will be scant consolation for Renee Slegers after dropping two points at home to a Manchester United side who have shown untold vulnerabilities in the opening weeks of the season, shipping a league-high seven goals.

The Gunners do not lose at home under Slegers. So it stands to reason that Smilla Holmberg would latch onto a beautifully flighted cross from Leah Williamson to score a 95th-minute equaliser and preserve that honour. The goal was excellently worked. But its quality was barely perceptible among an expectant Emirates crowd, some of whom had travelled to Crystal Palace the previous weekend to watch a goalless stalemate play out, leaving both games with an odd sense of deja vu.

A blunt edge in the final third

Arsenal look to be blowing their chances of a proper title chase at the first hurdle. Again. Five points from three games is only enough for sixth in this elevated, elongated league, now made up of 14 teams instead of 12. Perhaps that extension offers Slegers some solace. There will inevitably be a few more hiding places along the course of a 26-game season; this might even come to be known as a 'good point' when all is said and done.

Contextually, for now, it can only be framed as a setback. Another stick to bash with. More proof of Arsenal's inability to keep pace with whomever the best team is in the league on any given year.

“There has been little evidence to the contrary for the past seven seasons, despite finishing second last term. And so what are Arsenal, if not title contenders? What do they stand for, if not playing an attractive style that pairs with results?”

The numbers make for grim reading. From 60 attempts so far, Arsenal have netted twice, an xG underperformance of 3.84. Of course, Slegers has plenty of time for rebuttal to such critique — no team should be written off after three games, and the season is barely past the break line. And yet Arsenal's three outings have revealed an issue that extends well beyond that timeframe, a realisation that most opposition teams appear to have in their tactical back pocket.

Sit in a compact block against Arsenal and they will struggle to break you down. To stay disciplined against Arsenal is worthy of a point, very rarely more, but a draw is useful for nearly every team besides the Gunners themselves. Put the brakes on and take what is rightfully yours.

Questions for Slegers and her players

Four draws before Christmas was enough to effectively rule them out of the title running last year; they can ill-afford for that to happen again. Such an urge must be suppressed quickly. But how?

The speed and unpredictability with which Arsenal attack is waning. Mariona Caldentey blasts Alessia Russo's lay-off carelessly wide. Stina Blackstenius plants her point-blank header at but not beyond Phallon Tullis-Joyce. Chloe Kelly tries her luck from distance. All valid attempts, somehow laced with undermining doubt. They saved their best moment until the very last kick.

Questions should be asked of both Slegers and her players after such a passive start. Is the balance right? Georgia Stanway and Mariona Caldentey are trying to perform the same function in midfield, both as the primary No 8. Who is dictating from deep? Is the best use of Russo as a No 10? Should she not be on the last line of defence? Are the wingers too shy to go one-vs-one?

Lisa Baum and Olivia Smith managed just one cross and one dribble between them at the weekend, albeit the delivery Baum did use to pick out Blackstenius should have resulted in a goal. Instead of attacking Manchester United's weaknesses as they get to grips with a new style of play under Eva Olid, Arsenal spent most of the game standing off, too polite to properly engage.

“This squad is too talented to exercise such reserve. Slegers needs to demand more. More refinement from the playmakers, better options and service from wide areas, sharper finishing. Everything in the final third, in fact, can go up several gears. Until that happens, disappointing draws are all Arsenal really deserve.”

For now, the Gunners remain unbeaten under Slegers at home, but the questions forming around their identity and conviction in front of goal will only grow louder if the pattern repeats.