Renee Slegers continued to press her claims for the permanent Arsenal manager’s job after a 3-0 win over Tottenham, but the Gunners were helped by some more slack defending from the hosts.
Slegers’ side have won five out of six matches since the former Netherlands midfielder took interim charge last month, including a fine 4-0 win over Juventus in the Women’s Champions League in midweek.
But in truth they rarely had to get out of second gear at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium, being afforded far too much space by a struggling Spurs side who have now conceded a league-high 21 goals in eight WSL matches this season.
The stats make for dire reading:
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Robert Vilahamn’s side side have lost five of their last six WSL games, conceding at least three goals in each.
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They have conceded 10 first-half goals in their eight WSL games this season, more than any other side.
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They have failed to score a first-half goal in five of those eight games.
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No side has conceded more goals in their opening 15 minutes than Tottenham’s five.
Vilahamn admits there are higher expectations this season after finishing sixth and reaching the FA Cup final last campaign, but thinks the team may need to “take a step back to take two steps forward”.
They certainly look to have taken a step back, but the Swede will hope upcoming games against fellow strugglers Aston Villa, Crystal Palace and Everton will allow them to move in the other direction.
