Football Season Guide

Finished as runner-ups last season and the wait for 13th WSL title continued. The last one was way back in the 2009/10 campaign. From November onward Arsenal were on pace with the unbeaten champions Chelsea. However, a slow start that led to the sacking of the manager in October proved costly. Ended up full 12 points behind Chelsea in the end despite winning 15 of the 22 league games. The season was far from a failure though. The 18-year wait for another Champions League trophy ended. Defied the odds to beat Barcelona in the final. The two Champions League triumphs of Arsenal are the only ones for English teams on this main international stage. Since young Renée Slegers took charge last October the displays have only gotten better. She is now the permanent manager and under the progressive Dutch woman Arsenal are gearing up for a serious title challenge. Played only half of their home matches last season at the Emirates but in those games averaged 52,000 attendance. It was welcomed news that this season all of Arsenal’s home matches will be at the Emirates, meaning large support is guaranteed. The main moves this summer involved a pair of Liverpool players. Wing-back Hinds was signed to replace the only notable departure Ilestedt. Young striker Smith comes to a lethal as it is front line. She’s more likely to have a role as an impact sub in this first season as a Gunner. Chloe Kelly’s stay was made permanent. Since her arrival in the winter for her second stint at the club she had a major impact. Scored some vital goals, especially in the Champions League, so more of the same can be expected from her. Playmaker Pelova also feels like a new player. She missed all but the last month of last season with an ACL tear. Her talent is undeniable and she will try to re-establish herself as a key player this term. Arsenal have very good depth for every position on the pitch so they are more than prepared to thrive in several competitions simultaneously. The hunger for a domestic glory is huge with the team’s main focus likely to be the WSL.