Renee Slegers makes blunt Arsenal Women admission after Palace draw

Renée Slegers has admitted Arsenal Women’s 0-0 draw with Crystal Palace was not the type of result her side can afford if they are to achieve their ambitions this season.

Arsenal dominated at Emirates Stadium but could not find a way past former Gunners goalkeeper Pauline Peyraud-Magnin.

ReadArsenal’s Arsenal Women 0-0 Crystal Palace match report details how Slegers’ side controlled the contest but failed to turn their pressure into goals.

The Arsenal head coach was clearly frustrated afterwards.

Just spoke to Renee Slegers. ‘When we think about what our ambitions are for the season, this is not what we wanted at all…(of all the draws over the last year) this one might be the most frustrating.’ Full quotes coming on Arseblog News.

— Tim Stillman ⭐️⭐️ (@timstillman_) September 13, 2026

Slegers unhappy with Arsenal finishing

Speaking after the game, Slegers said Arsenal were “very critical of ourselves” despite believing there had been plenty to like about the overall performance. 

She felt Arsenal created a variety of chances and maintained the intensity required to keep Palace pinned back.

But the final action was missing.

Slegers said the result was “not a step we wanted to take towards our season ambition”, making clear that dropped points at home are not acceptable for a side targeting the WSL title. 

That frustration is understandable.

Arsenal had 79 per cent possession and nine shots on target but could not convert one of their chances.

Lisa Baum came particularly close when she struck the crossbar, while Alessia Russo repeatedly tested Peyraud-Magnin.

Baum was ReadArsenal’s standout performer in our Arsenal Women player ratings against Crystal Palace.

Arsenal must solve low-block problem

Slegers also acknowledged that Arsenal will face similar defensive approaches again.

Palace defended deep for long periods and challenged Arsenal to find a way through a crowded penalty area.

The Arsenal boss stressed that the solution is not to abandon the team’s approach, but to improve the final decision and detail once opportunities have been created. 

That becomes particularly important with tougher fixtures approaching.

Arsenal have taken four points from their opening two WSL games after beating Brighton 1-0 before Sunday’s stalemate.

Slegers now has a week to address the finishing problem before Manchester United visit Emirates Stadium.

For a team with serious title ambitions, the message from the manager was clear.

The performance contained positives.

The result did not.