LONDON, England — Arsenal’s chances of qualifying for the UEFA Women’s Champions League next season received a significant boost on Sunday with a 1-0 win over Manchester City, who are favorites for the title. This result has slightly reopened the Women’s Super League (WSL) title race, which many believed was settled last weekend.
In the WSL, nothing is ever guaranteed. City’s first defeat since the season’s opening weekend demonstrated that, despite a dominant 5-1 victory over reigning champions Chelsea that led many to conclude the title race was concluded, there remains a possibility for the eight-point lead City holds at the top of the table to be narrowed.
Arsenal’s early intensity and a restructured attack enabled Olivia Smith, who played as a forward instead of her usual wing position, to net what turned out to be the decisive goal after 17 minutes. The Canadian international evaded Rebecca Knaak, who appeared to relent too easily in her chase, maneuvered around goalkeeper Ayaka Yamashita, and finished into the unguarded net.
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For a team that thrives on ball possession and derives significant enjoyment from it, City struggled against Arsenal’s pressing game. This pressure hindered their ability to implement the strategy that had been successful during their unbeaten streak since their last defeat in September against Chelsea.
Alessia Russo, who dropped back into midfield to allow Smith to play more centrally, forced veteran defensive midfielder Yui Hasegawa into tight spaces. By neutralizing City’s key player, the visitors were unable to progress through the center and had to explore alternative options. However, as City attempted to shift the ball wide, Arsenal’s fullbacks, particularly Katie McCabe, were inverting, applying additional pressure on Kerolin and making it considerably more challenging to launch attacks.
Arsenal coach Renée Slegers’ tactical insight was crucial in dismantling City’s effectiveness. They are the only team that has figured out the league leaders and discovered the approach to gain the advantage.
The hosts faced a couple of tense moments in the second half. Initially, Mariona Caldentey awkwardly fouled Lauren Hemp from behind near the edge of the box. City appealed for a free kick and believed the Spain international should have received a red card for the challenge, but referee Melissa Burgin opted not to issue either.
Then, former Arsenal striker Vivianne Miedema had the small group of traveling fans at the Emirates believing she had scored an equalizer, but a minor foul on McCabe by the Netherlands international led to the whistle being blown before the subsequent shot found the net. Following a 0-0 draw with Manchester United, the 2-0 win over Chelsea and the acquisition of the FIFA Women’s Champions Cup, which earned them the title of world champions alongside their European crown, have revitalized Arsenal.
“We come away from the Chelsea win, very happy, very pleased, clean sheets and winning away,” Slegers stated after the match. “And then we have the Champions Cup, where we win. So there’s two really positive moments for us as a team.
“The challenge is to maintain a controlled middle, not too high, not too low, especially not too high after those moments. And then we have a week to prepare to play against the number one in the table, City, who have been so good — a lot of respect for how they’ve performed so far in the season.”
Perhaps the winter break was precisely what Arsenal required. They appear revitalized and energized compared to the uninspired team that took the field at the end of 2025. They have now secured seven points from the top three in their last three WSL matches.
“We have three clean sheets in the WSL now against top opposition. Now it’s about remaining here, working diligently to stay here, keep developing, and continue pushing for as much as we can for the rest of the season.
“I believe there are many factors contributing to our current success. We also want to document it, make it specific, make it tangible, because then we know what it is, and we can sustain it.”
This outcome places additional pressure on Chelsea, who, following back-to-back defeats to Arsenal 2-0 and then a 5-1 loss to City, supported Sonia Bompastor with a new contract until 2030 — replacing the agreement that was set to expire in 2028. This does not resolve all their issues, and the potential for discord between manager and club remains.
Arsenal’s acquisition of all three points against City enhances their aspirations of finishing in the top three, while simultaneously increasing the pressure on Chelsea, who could now find themselves outside of Champions League qualification for the first time since the 2019-20 season.
It is not catastrophic for City, who have established enough of a buffer to withstand a loss, even two, if they cannot recover.
“I don’t think [the loss] is going to affect the players,” City manager Andrée Jeglertz remarked afterward. “We are fully aware of the situation we are in, and we are still in a very good position in the league. We still have confidence in what we have accomplished so far, and it’s important how you analyze this game and move on as quickly as possible, but I’m not concerned about the future.”
Having been the team in control for nearly the entire season, leading on points — even with this defeat, they are eight points ahead of second-placed Manchester United, and with a goal difference of +41 — City’s failure to penetrate was compounded by an unusual frustration that likely hasn’t been experienced under Jeglertz’s management and not since the conclusion of last season.
Provided this result does not trigger a disastrous panic behind the scenes and initiate what would be the largest collapse in WSL history, City remains in the driver’s seat, and it is still their title to lose.
