Arsenal go into their Women’s Super League game at Stamford Bridge knowing defeat by rivals Chelsea would be a damaging result just four weeks into the season.
It feels like an extreme assessment but the Gunners know all too well that if they fall behind early on, it is hard to catch up in the WSL title race.
Renee Slegers’ side are already seven points behind leaders Manchester City, albeit with a game in hand, and it would be foolish to give them further breathing space.
Successive draws against Crystal Palace and Manchester United have dented Arsenal’s start to the campaign.
Their slow starts have proven to be their undoing in previous campaigns as their search for another WSL title has gone on for seven years.
In that time, they have lifted the Women’s Champions League and Women’s Champions Cup, proving they have a squad capable of winning major trophies.
But it is the same story so far in 2026-27 as Arsenal’s shooting boots have been missing and their lack of ruthlessness in front of goal has proven costly.
They face serial winners Chelsea on Sunday (16:30 BST) knowing they need to get over the line this time.
“If I look at the last two games, not turning that dominance into goals and wins, is something we have to look at,” said Slegers.
“We believe in the quality of the squad and their ideas. We can create in a variety of ways. When that starts clicking, it will be really good.
“It really is about the details in the final third.”
