# Arsenal's WSL title drought

> Arsenal's technical ability vs. grit: can they end WSL title drought?
- Title: Arsenal's WSL title drought · the Guardian | Shortify
- Summary: Arsenal's technical ability vs. grit: can they end WSL title drought? Arsenal, 10 points behind WSL leaders Manchester City, lack the mental toughness to…
- Keywords: arsenal, womens super league, manchester city, chelsea, renée slegers, wsl title drought, grit, tenacity, sports, Arsenal's, WSL, title
- Source: the Guardian — https://theguardian.com/football/2026/oct/06/arsenal-womens-super-league-title-renee-slegers-manchester-city-chelsea
- Published: 2026-10-06T16:55:59+00:00
- Read time: 1 min
- Topics: arsenal, womens super league, manchester city, chelsea, renée slegers, wsl title drought, grit, tenacity, sports
## Arsenal fall 10 points behind
Arsenal fell 10 points behind the WSL leaders Manchester City after a 4-2 defeat on Sunday.
## Arsenal's technical ability
Arsenal have the world-class technical ability but lack grit and tenacity to rival Manchester City and Chelsea.
## Arsenal's team culture
Arsenal players describe themselves as a supportive family with polite, courteous and professional individuals.
## Arsenal's disciplinary record
Only one Arsenal player has been shown a red card in a WSL game since 2021-22.
## Arsenal's leadership gap
Arsenal lack a dogged, refuse-to-lose character like Lucy Bronze or Erin Cuthbert.
## Slegers on Arsenal's grit
Slegers says Arsenal have the grit to win the league but their recent performances show they lack it.

> I think so, and nastiness or that grittiness, that can express itself in different ways, and I think we have certain ways in which we express that and [in] which we can do that.
## Arsenal's title drought
Arsenal last won the WSL in 2019 and face a 10-point gap to Manchester City.
## Key takeaway

Arsenal, 10 points behind WSL leaders Manchester City, lack the mental toughness to compete for the Women's Super League title after a 4-2 loss.