Arsenal’s poor start to the Women’s Super League season continued as Renee Slegers’ side could only draw at home against winless Birmingham.
The Gunners have won just one of their first six league games, picking up six points in the process. They are nine points off the top and six off the Champions League qualification places.
They were dominant at Emirates Stadium but once again struggled to break down an opponent’s low block to fashion clear-cut opportunities.
Head coach Slegers pointed to “technical basics letting us down” after a result that will feed continuing scrutiny of her performance, and said her players must not lose their belief.
It was Birmingham’s star striker Oceane Hurtre who delivered the opener, surging up the pitch on a counter-attack in the second half before dinking the ball over Misa Rodriguez.
While Birmingham were rarely afforded the chance to build up possession, the visitors posed a constant threat on the break and often looked like they would trouble the hosts.
It was one of those breaks which put Birmingham ahead as Hurtre, who has already scored six times in the league for Blues this campaign and netted on her debut for France in the international break, took advantage to round off a move as Arsenal parted in the face of Birmingham’s quick counter.
A moment of magic from Olivia Smith levelled things up for Arsenal as she whipped a wonderful strike into the far corner from distance.
Aside from Smith’s goal, Alessia Russo also came close but could only strike the far post when she met an expertly whipped Leah Williamson corner with her head inside the box, while Lisa Baum was also unlucky not to score when she had a close-range header saved by Sophie Baggaley.
The result leaves Arsenal eighth in the WSL – and they could slip further down the standings when the other 12 teams play on Sunday. Birmingham, meanwhile, are 11th.
Arsenal’s next game is the north London derby next Saturday (12:45 BST), while Birmingham are away to Durham in the Players Cup on Wednesday (19:00).
Analysis: Disappointing Arsenal leave much to be desired
Given Arsenal have now gone five consecutive league games without a win for the first time in their history, it is unsurprising that there were boos as the full-time whistle blew.
Before the international break, Arsenal boss Renee Slegers said the title race was “not in the conversation” for her side.
The Gunners have not won a league title since 2019 and changing that record looks extremely unlikely.
Arsenal fans would have been hoping the pause could act as a reset for their side, but their familiar failings were all too present on Saturday as they suffered another disappointing result.
Their two games against promoted sides have delivered just two points and they have only managed to score five goals – 11 fewer than leaders Manchester City, who have played a game fewer.
In a league where sides play just 23 matches, a start as slow as this could prove incredibly costly.
When asked about the below-par performance, Slegers said: “I understand the fans, their frustration. I want to thank them for being with us the whole way through and we’ll do everything we can to get the win again.”
On what went wrong, Slegers added: “The basics. Some touches, some passes, some turnovers and we lost momentum. It was really about the technical basics letting us down in the first half.
“I think we had so much pressure in and around their box in the second half, some good chances. Of course, if you look at the dominance we have – 27 shots – and the amount of box entries, [it needs] to lead to more goals.
“We can’t lose belief and [as I was saying in the huddle] individually don’t lose belief because you’re all incredible players.
“That’s what we need to build on moving forward.”
While Birmingham remain without a win since their return to the top flight, manager Amy Merricks will be pleased with their performance.
Hurtre’s stellar form which has led her to the top of the scoring standings is impressive, but the complete nature of their performance against Arsenal was as much of a standout.
Their deep block was resolute throughout and stopped Arsenal getting through, with the work of defender Neve Herron particularly important, while other players – including the likes of Lily Crosthwaite – were crucial in posing a problem going forward.
