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Emily Keogh
Eight months after their groundbreaking UEFA Women’s Champions League (UWCL) triumph, Arsenal have struggled to find their rhythm. This season has seen them lose or draw several critical matches in both the Women’s Super League (WSL) and European competitions, leaving them in third place, trailing leaders Manchester City by eight points. They now face a crucial two-legged playoff against OH Leuven in February after failing to secure a top-four finish in the UWCL’s new league phase.
Still, there are positive developments for the Gunners. Head coach Renee Slegers has just signed a new 3½-year contract. The club believes Slegers is the key to ending their seven-year title drought in the WSL and is committed to supporting the 36-year-old coach in restoring their winning mindset.
Initially appointed in January 2025 after a stint as interim head coach following Jonas Eidevall’s departure in October 2024, Slegers led Arsenal on an impressive 11-game unbeaten streak, culminating in a second-place finish in the WSL. This marked their best performance in three years, which was solidified when they claimed the Champions League title by defeating Barcelona.
Slegers’ previous contract was set to expire this summer, but given the club’s focus on renewing player contracts first, her extension was a welcome affirmation of her role. Now committed until 2029, the pivotal challenge lies in transforming the team into a consistent force aiming for their ambitions.
A dip in form
Arsenal has not found the same cohesion this season as in previous ones. The psychological impact of their Champions League success, coupled with some players’ added strain from the England team’s Euro 2025 victory, has made transitioning back to domestic competition challenging. There’s a noticeable mentality issue hindering their performance.
The club attributes Chelsea’s recent domestic dominance, with seven consecutive WSL titles, to their resilient mentality, cultivated under former boss Emma Hayes. While Arsenal possesses resilient players, they currently lack the overall mentality needed to consistently compete at the highest level.
This season has seen them struggle with late-game collapses, such as blowing a 2-0 first-half lead to lose 3-2 against Bayern Munich in the UWCL league phase, and drawing matches with formidable opponents like Manchester United and Chelsea when they needed victory. A general inability to adapt when their game plan falters has been evident.
The club has recognized this issue as a key area for improvement if they aim to achieve success. Coach Slegers has the right personality to make necessary adjustments, being eager to learn, hungry to win, and determined to foster an ambitious and dynamic team environment.
A restructure
To align with Slegers’ vision, Arsenal has revamped the women’s department’s leadership, promoting former player and technical services manager Jodie Taylor to the role of technical director. This new position aims to connect the analysis, technical, and recruitment teams.
Taylor will work closely with Slegers on a daily basis, while Clare Wheatley steps back from her previous duties as head of women’s football. Former manager Eidevall highlighted the lack of a sporting director whom he could collaborate with, referring to it as a “lonely place,” which contributed to the decision to restructure and strengthen support for Slegers over the coming years.
Arsenal is committed to giving her at least three summer transfer windows to secure players that fit her style of play. While they had initially contemplated a two-year contract, they recognize the need to provide her ample time to establish her influence.
Transfer backing
Taylor’s appointment also alleviates Slegers from overseeing transfer activities, a task she prefers to avoid. Taylor will streamline the transfer process, especially given the anticipated turnover of players in the coming windows.
Arsenal aims to rejuvenate their squad’s age profile, as currently, six players are aged 30 or older, an increase from eight at the end of last season. Key players like Katie McCabe, Steph Catley, Caitlin Foord, and Beth Mead are among those whose contracts are expiring this summer. Captain Kim Little will turn 36 this year, although she remains a crucial component of the squad.
According to sources, the club has already made decisions regarding players whose contracts are expiring. Some players have already been notified they will not be offered new deals, with the final decisions on others dependent on potential new signings and how the upcoming transfer windows unfold.
Crucially, the club envisions Slegers as a bold and transparent communicator capable of having difficult discussions with players, exhibiting high emotional intelligence and self-awareness.
Patience will be essential in the transfer window. The pool of elite talent in women’s football is limited, even more so when considering age, style, and position.
Recently, Sweden right back Smilla Holmberg, acquired from Hammarby, was their priority target for this window, and she was secured earlier this week. Ongoing monitoring of additional options is in progress, with groundwork already laid for a potentially significant summer.
Approximately one-third of the squad is out of contract — a common scenario in women’s football, where two-to-three-year contracts prevail — necessitating several key decisions ahead.
The future
In the end, it is up to Arsenal to support Slegers’ vision and ambitions through proactive actions in the transfer market and long-term planning to regain their winning form.
Without a clear alignment between the manager’s philosophies and the club’s overarching strategy, narrowing the gap with Chelsea (and now Manchester City) will remain challenging. Progress depends on Arsenal providing Slegers with the necessary tools, stability, and support to re-establish themselves as genuine title contenders.
The Gunners face Manchester United (twice), Chelsea, and Manchester City in their next six matches across three competitions, leading up to the UWCL playoff in February. The upcoming month will be pivotal for their aspirations, but Slegers’ new contract should enhance player morale and potentially boost performance.