Arsenal's Women's Super League (WSL) campaign has been a tale of near-misses and what-ifs, leaving fans wondering why the Gunners have fallen short in the league and Champions League this season. Despite a dramatic 93rd-minute winner from Stina Blackstenius against Everton in their penultimate match, the bigger picture remains unchanged: Manchester City have already clinched the title, extending Arsenal's wait for a first WSL crown since 2019.
While Renee Slegers' side lifted the inaugural Champions Cup, they couldn't retain their Women's Champions League trophy, and exits in the FA Cup quarter-finals and League Cup semi-finals have made this a season of unfulfilled potential. So, what's gone wrong?
A recurring theme for Arsenal has been their slow starts. After opening the season with two emphatic wins, scoring nine goals in the process, they managed just two points from their next three games—including a 3-2 defeat to rivals Manchester City. Back-to-back draws against Chelsea and Tottenham in November only deepened the hole. By Christmas, they trailed by eight points after 11 matches, a gap they never closed. Former England forward Ellen White noted on the Women's Football Weekly podcast, "The start of the season was another issue for them. They've done that for a couple of seasons now, and then they're on catch-up." With only one loss all season, those draws have been particularly costly. Whatever changes are made in the summer, a hot start has to be the priority.
Another factor is fixture congestion. Arsenal competed in five competitions, including the expanded Champions League and the new Champions Cup, leading to a grueling schedule. In contrast, Manchester City, who finished fourth last season, played 10 fewer games—a blessing in disguise that allowed them to focus on the league. The Gunners' squad depth has been tested to its limits, with Alessia Russo logging a team-high 3,150 minutes on the pitch. For a club with title ambitions, balancing multiple fronts has proven to be a challenge that ultimately derailed their season.