Why are Arsenal struggling to score goals?

Renée Slegers says no single cause is responsible, describing it as a combination of decision-making, technical execution and a lack of ruthlessness in front of goal.

Who scored Arsenal's late equaliser against Manchester United?

Smilla Holmberg made it 1-1 in the 95th minute, securing a point for Arsenal at home.

How many home draws have Arsenal had in the past two weeks?

Two. Arsenal were held at home by Crystal Palace and then drew 1-1 with Manchester United at home on Saturday.

What was the score between Tottenham Hotspur and Crystal Palace?

Tottenham Hotspur won 7-0, a result that maintained their strong start to the season.

Football

Arsenal held to second home draw as Slegers targets sharper finishing

A 95th-minute equaliser rescued a point against Manchester United, leaving the Arsenal manager to explain why control is not turning into goals.

By Sportsback1h ago

Etihad Stadium, Manchester City Football Club (Ank Kumar, Infosys )

Ank Kumar · CC BY-SA 4.0

Arsenal were held to a 1-1 draw at home by Manchester United on Saturday, their second home draw in the Women's Super League in two weeks. Smilla Holmberg equalised in the 95th minute, and Renée Slegers was asked afterwards how her team can turn its dominance of possession and territory into more goals.

The pattern has become familiar. Arsenal could not find a way through Crystal Palace's defence at home in their previous match, and United proved just as hard to break down. The equaliser arrived so late that it rescued a point rather than changing the shape of the contest.

Slegers: finishing is a 'cocktail' of issues

Slegers rejected the idea that a single failing explains Arsenal's shortage of goals. 'It's not one thing, it's a combination of things,' she said. 'It's a cocktail of things, there are some details in decision making, some details in the technical execution.'

She added that ruthlessness in front of goal was part of the problem and said her players are determined to correct it. 'I know the players want it and they want to do that, they want to execute for Arsenal,' she said. She offered no timescale for the improvement.

Why the draw matters

Dropping points at home for the second time in a fortnight is an issue for a side whose difficulty is conversion rather than control. Arsenal held the ball and the territory against United and still needed the 95th minute to level. Slegers' own account points to execution — decisions and technique in the final action — rather than a shortage of chances created. Until that sharpens, the same result stays available to opponents willing to defend deep.

Tottenham's 7-0 win over Crystal Palace

Elsewhere, Tottenham Hotspur beat Crystal Palace 7-0 to maintain their strong start to the season. It was the same opponent Arsenal could not break down at home, a contrast that underlines the value of the goals Arsenal are currently missing.

What is not yet known

Slegers did not say whether the response will be tactical, technical or a matter of selection, and she did not identify a player as the answer to the goals problem. Whether Arsenal's approach changes in their next match, and how quickly the finishing improves, remains open.

Frequently asked questions

Why are Arsenal struggling to score goals?: Renée Slegers says no single cause is responsible, describing it as a combination of decision-making, technical execution and a lack of ruthlessness in front of goal.
Who scored Arsenal's late equaliser against Manchester United?: Smilla Holmberg made it 1-1 in the 95th minute, securing a point for Arsenal at home.
How many home draws have Arsenal had in the past two weeks?: Two. Arsenal were held at home by Crystal Palace and then drew 1-1 with Manchester United at home on Saturday.
What was the score between Tottenham Hotspur and Crystal Palace?: Tottenham Hotspur won 7-0, a result that maintained their strong start to the season.