WSL Insights: Man City & Arsenal Need Improvement in Title Race

Man City Must Avoid WSL Title Mistake Again

Manchester City secured their first win of the 2024/25 Women’s Super League (WSL) season, but missed opportunities left them on thin ice regarding future matches. Gareth Taylor's side unleashed 23 attempts on Brighton and Hove Albion's goal, with eight hitting the target. Despite this offensive onslaught, City's finishing was underwhelming, raising concerns about their ability to capitalize on scoring chances.

Struggles in Front of Goal

Star players like Lauren Hemp, Aoba Fujino, Vivianne Miedema, and Khadija Shaw each had golden opportunities to extend the lead. In fact, Shaw's goal came from a moment of instinctive play, which may have saved City from dropping crucial points. The team's inability to convert chances into goals reflects a similar narrative from the previous season where Chelsea clinched the title due to a superior goal difference.

A Need for a Cutting Edge

For Manchester City to avoid repeating past mistakes and ensure a successful title challenge this season, finding a cutting edge in the final third is essential. The coming weeks will be critical for refining their attacking play and making the most of scoring opportunities.

Arsenal's Struggle for Dominance

Elsewhere in the WSL, Arsenal faced a challenging match against Leicester City, narrowly escaping with all three points. Manager Jonas Eidevall's squad struggled to penetrate a well-organized defensive setup from the Foxes. It wasn't until an error from Leicester's Catherine Bott allowed Alessia Russo to set up Frida Maanum for the winning goal that Arsenal found a breakthrough.

Taking Advantage of Opportunities

Despite their win, Arsenal’s performance raised questions about their ability to dominate throughout the season. They will need to elevate their gameplay to reclaim the WSL title from Chelsea. Coach Eidevall noted, "We had to manage our expectations today. Sometimes you have to find other ways to win in a season.” This win may bolster their confidence, serving as a reminder that victories can become habitual.

Everton's Resurgence Amidst Challenges

In contrast, Everton exhibited signs of life following a harsh 4-0 defeat to Brighton in their opening match. Hosting Manchester United, they initially fell behind to a goal from Grace Clinton after just four minutes. However, the Toffees regrouped and showed resilience, nearly equalizing soon after through Inma Gabarro, whose effort was denied on the line.

Finding Some Rhythm

Even with a 1-0 loss, Everton's performance signaled potential improvement. They maintained their defensive shape against a Man Utd side that has historically troubled them. While sitting second-bottom in the league without a point, the match allowed Everton to showcase that they could learn from past mistakes, indicating a possible path forward in their season.

Conclusion

The WSL is underway and early results already highlight the competitive spirit among clubs. Manchester City, Arsenal, and Everton each have unique challenges to address as the season progresses. City needs to sharpen their finishing, Arsenal looks to build consistency, and Everton seeks to stabilize their performance. As the teams jockey for position in this fiercely contested league, every point will be crucial as they eye the coveted WSL title.