Arsenal Women begin their UEFA Women’s Champions League campaign against HB Køge on Tuesday night with one attacking problem still unresolved.
Renée Slegers’ side have been held in successive Women’s Super League matches by Crystal Palace and Manchester United.
The results themselves are frustrating.
More concerning is how often Arsenal have controlled games without turning that dominance into enough clear chances and goals.
That makes Tuesday’s European opener at Meadow Park an immediate opportunity to find a solution.
Arsenal dominance is not producing enough goals
The Crystal Palace draw provided the clearest warning.
Arsenal had 80 per cent possession and 30 attempts but failed to score as Pauline Peyraud-Magnin repeatedly frustrated her former club.
Our analysis of Arsenal Women’s finishing problems against Crystal Palace showed the Gunners generated 2.57 expected goals without finding the net.
The problem continued against Manchester United.
Arsenal again spent long periods in possession but needed Smilla Holmberg’s stoppage-time equaliser to rescue a 1-1 draw.
Our Arsenal Women 1-1 Manchester United match report detailed another afternoon when territorial control did not consistently become attacking danger.
Slegers identified the issue herself afterwards.
Speaking to Arseblog News, she described the problem as: “Not turning dominance into danger.”
The Guardian has also highlighted Arsenal’s difficulties breaking down compact defensive blocks during their opening weeks of the season.
HB Køge gives Arsenal an immediate European test
HB Køge arrive at Meadow Park for Arsenal’s opening league-phase fixture on Tuesday 22 September at 8pm BST.
UEFA’s official schedule confirms the fixture opens a demanding European campaign for Slegers’ side.
Our Arsenal Women vs HB Køge TV and live stream guide has the full matchday details.
The tactical question is less about predicting exactly how HB Køge will defend and more about Arsenal proving they have solutions when central spaces become crowded.
That has been the recurring issue domestically.
What Slegers can change against HB Køge
Arsenal need greater speed around the penalty area.
Moving the ball from one flank to the other before an opposition defence can reset should create more one-against-one situations for Arsenal’s wide players.
Chloe Kelly gives Slegers an obvious option if she wants additional directness.
Stina Blackstenius can provide another type of threat through runs beyond the defensive line, while Alessia Russo remains capable of dropping into deeper spaces and connecting attacks.
The key is variation.
Repeatedly circulating possession around a settled defensive shape will not be enough.
Arsenal need runners behind it, width outside it and quicker combinations through it.
Supporters can follow the squad throughout the competition through our evergreen Arsenal Women guide.
Arsenal already know they can dominate possession.
Tuesday is about proving they can turn that control into goals.
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