The post-match huddle at the Emirates, designed to project an image of togetherness, unity and collective purpose, instead suggested the complete absence of any of the above. The Arsenal squad stood around in a circle appearing shell-shocked. Some senior players avoided looking each other in the eye. The season is not even two months old and Arsenal are out of the title race, a painful reality sinking in with familiar acceptance, the pressure growing on Renee Slegers.
Arsenal have made their worst ever start to a Women’s Super League season. They are without a victory in five games since beating Brighton on the opening weekend, which adds up to the club’s longest-ever winless run in the league. There were boos at the Emirates following the 1-1 draw with newly-promoted Birmingham on Saturday, a result which left the Gunners eighth in the table and already 12 points behind leaders Manchester City.
