Why Slegers’ selection gamble backfired against Manchester City

Tactical tweaks and familiar defensive lapses leave Arsenal’s manager searching for balance after defeat to City

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Arsenal lost further ground on their Women’s Super League rivals after suffering their first defeat of the season away to Manchester City. Coming into the game having failed to win consecutive matches, the Gunners had an opportunity to close the gap at the top after Chelsea and Manchester United played out a draw at the Progress With Unity Stadium on Friday night. Instead, Arsenal’s winless run extended to three matches. Renée Slegers’ side now sit five points adrift of leaders Chelsea and, perhaps even more alarmingly, four behind north London rivals Tottenham. With Slegers making key changes to her starting lineup, there was much to unpick from an end-to-end encounter at the Joie Stadium.