Arsenal Women Weekly Roundup: Chelsea loss, European win and Fox boost

It has been a mixed and ultimately frustrating week for Arsenal Women, with a dramatic Champions League victory followed by a damaging 1-0 defeat away to Chelsea.

Last week’s Arsenal Women Weekly Roundup focused heavily on Arsenal’s difficulties turning possession and pressure into goals.

Unfortunately, that theme has continued.

Renée Slegers’ side started brightly against Chelsea and had opportunities to take control of the game.

Kim Little and Mariona Caldentey both struck the post before Alyssa Thompson punished Arsenal six minutes before half-time, reacting quickest after Anneke Borbe had initially saved from distance.

Despite changes after the break, Arsenal could not find an equaliser and suffered their first WSL defeat of the season.

The loss also ends Arsenal’s 20-match unbeaten league run stretching back to October 2025, while the Gunners now sit seven points behind Manchester City.

For all the quality in this squad, two goals from four WSL matches tells its own story.

There was also an emotional subplot at Stamford Bridge, with former Gunner Katie McCabe starting at left-back for Chelsea in her first meeting with Arsenal since her controversial summer switch. The Irish international received a hostile reception from sections of the travelling support and was booked shortly before half-time for delaying a corner, with The Guardian noting she was getting “pelters from the away end”.

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(Photo by Justin Setterfield/Getty Images)

There was at least a victory to celebrate in Europe.

Arsenal opened their Champions League campaign with a 1-0 win over HB Køge on Tuesday, although once again the breakthrough came very late.

Mariona converted a stoppage-time penalty after Arsenal had struggled to turn their dominance into goals, while Kyra Cooney-Cross was named UEFA Player of the Match.

Afterwards, Slegers told Arseblog News:

“It was a mentality, resilience win today and the football didn’t give us the win”

That resilience was important, but the manager also acknowledged that Arsenal need to find the first goal earlier in matches.
commits her future to Arsenal

There was also positive news away from the pitch, with Emily Fox signing a new Arsenal contract this week.

The USA international has become an important part of Slegers’ squad since arriving in North London, and securing her future represents another significant piece of long-term business for the club.

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(Photo by Justin Setterfield/Getty Images)
next before another huge WSL test

There is little time for Arsenal to dwell on the Chelsea defeat.

The Gunners travel to Paris FC on Wednesday for their second Champions League league-phase fixture, before another enormous domestic test away to Manchester City next Sunday. The Paris game kicks off at 6.45pm UK time.

After a difficult start to the WSL campaign, Europe may again provide the opportunity for Arsenal to rebuild some momentum.

What do you think, Gooners? Is Arsenal’s lack of goals becoming a serious concern, or do you still believe this attacking squad will click into gear? Let us know in the comments.

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