Renee Slegers faces intensifying scrutiny after Arsenal twice surrendered the lead in a 4-2 defeat by Manchester City at the Etihad. The Gunners have now scored four league goals this season, but their points tally remains at five as they drop to tenth in the Women's Super League table.
Arsenal's defensive frailties exposed
Arsenal led late in the first half through Lisa Baum, but Lauren Hemp pegged them back in injury time. Alessia Russo restored the advantage with her first league goal of the season shortly after the break, before City's substitutes inspired a late surge. Kerstin Casparij equalised, and Khadija Shaw and Hemp added two more to leave the visitors empty-handed.
The defeat follows a frustrating week in which Arsenal gave up a two-goal advantage in a draw with Paris FC in the Champions League, a result that led Slegers to skip her media duties. The manner of this latest capitulation will add to the questions being asked of the head coach.
London City Lionesses make statement
Earlier on Sunday, London City Lionesses thrashed Tottenham 6-1 at Brisbane Road to leapfrog their cross-town rivals and move third in the table. Alexia Putellas opened the scoring after three minutes, and the hosts were 3-0 up within half an hour. Victoria Pelova pulled one back for Spurs after the break, but Martin Ho's side were overpowered.
The victory leaves London City one point behind second-placed Chelsea, who beat West Ham in Dagenham. Manchester City remain top with a perfect record. "This kind of win can be a game changer in terms of showing everyone that we are pushing hard," said Lionesses head coach Eder Maestre. "We need to be humble as well."
Elsewhere in the WSL
Brighton secured their first league win of the campaign with a 5-0 victory over Charlton, while Ruby Mace scored twice as Everton beat Birmingham City. Arsenal now head into the international break ten points adrift of leaders City, with significant soul-searching ahead for Slegers and her staff.
