FT: Arsenal 1-1 Birmingham
Arsenal had to come from behind to rescue a draw against Birmingham, leaving Renee Slegers' side without a win in the league since 6 September.
Make sure you read Adam Millington's report here.
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FT: Arsenal 1-1 Birmingham
There's plenty of WSL to come this weekend, with no fewer than six matches on Sunday.
Image source, BBC SportFT: Arsenal 1-1 Birmingham
Here's what that result does to the WSL table...
Image source, BBC SportFT: Arsenal 1-1 Birmingham
Birmingham manager Amy Merricks speaking to WSL: "I am just so proud of the group. To come here to the Emirates and score is huge. We keep getting better and better.
"We did a lot of work over the international break looking at key areas we need to build on. I am so proud of the players.
"We had blocks on the line. We were relentless and played with courage. I have to really credit the backline today and how disciplined the midfield were.
"We are in a great place and we just keep pushing.
"Arsenal threw the kitchen sink at us in last 20 minutes. I think we handled that period better than we have done before. We looked a lot more assured. I am just so proud of the group. It’s a brilliant point for us and we are moving in right direction."
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Considering the manager can't go out and finish for them I'm not convinced a change would fix much, but yet another result that won't help Slegers stay in her job. 6 games played and already looks like Arsenal might need to win the Champions League to qualify for next year's.
Rich, London
FT: Arsenal 1-1 Birmingham
Arsenal manager Renee Slegers on the boos at full-time: "I think we dominated in many ways. We have 27 shots but not enough on target, we lose momentum several times in the game because of the basics letting us down.
"They had one player we had to look up for and not let her through, and we did, and we're again in the situation where we had to chase goals.
"I understand the fans, their frustration. I want to thank them for being with us the whole way through and we'll do everything we can to get the win again."
On what went wrong for her side and their struggles in front of goal: "The basics. Some touches, some passes, some turnovers and we lose momentum. It was really about the technical basics letting us down in the first half.
"I think we had so much pressure in and around their box in the second half, some good chances. Of course, if you look at the dominance we have - 27 shots - and the amount of box entries, [it needs] to lead to more goals.
"We can't lose belief and [as I was saying in the huddle] individually don't lose belief because you're all incredible players. That's what we need to build on moving forward."
FT: Arsenal 1-1 Birmingham
Arsenal are now eighth in the table with six points from six matches.
They haven't won since the opening round of fixtures when they beat Brighton 1-0, picking up three draws in the subsequent five matches, and have only scored five times.
Arsenal's results
FT: Arsenal 1-1 Birmingham
Birmingham defender Neve Herron: "We showed a lot of character today. A hard earned point. We made it hard for ourselves at the back end of the game but we came away with the point.
"We spoke a lot over the last two weeks about the last 20 minutes of games. We've been disappointed in a few results. Putting in that performance - proud of it."
"We're not naive to think we're going to have a lot of possession. A lot of character was shown today to stay in the game when we did concede."
On playing with Oceane Hurtre: "She makes me look good - that's two assists she's got on the end of for me. She's a top-class player and a top-class person and she's coming out of her shell this season."
FT: Arsenal 1-1 Birmingham
Image source, Getty ImagesBirmingham's Oceane Hurtre is the WSL's leading goal-scorer, with six goals in six appearances.
FT: Arsenal 1-1 Birmingham
The two sides went into the break at 0-0 following a dismal first half before Oceane Hurtre's 53rd minute strike sparked the game into life.
Neve Herron's pass from the edge of her own box bisected Arsenal's defence and the France international roared clear before clipping a delicate effort over Misa Rodriguez.
Arsenal responded through Olivia Smith, who wrapped her foot around a right-footed strike from distance to level the game 13 minutes later.
Although they pressed for a winner, with substitute Geraldine Reuteler lively following her introduction, Birmingham held firm to register their third draw of the WSL season.
FT: Arsenal 1-1 Birmingham
Arsenal had 76% possession and 27 shots, but only registered four on target.
Birmingham converted their one shot on target - a delicious finish from Oceane Hurtre on the counter - and defended mightily throughout, led by Neve Herron.
Arsenal 1-1 Birmingham
That's all folks!
Birmingham have earned a crucial point at Arsenal. Renee Slegers' side remain without a win since the opening round of fixtures.
Arsenal 1-1 Birmingham
Neve Herron - a constant thorn in Arsenal's side - cuts out another attack.
Arsenal 1-1 Birmingham
It's scrappy in and around the Birmingham box and comes out to De Almeida, whose effort goes wide.
Arsenal 1-1 Birmingham
Elisa de Almeida takes a quick throw. Time for Arsenal to launch one more attack?
Arsenal 1-1 Birmingham
Geraldine Reuteler whips a cross across the face of goal from the right flank but there are no Arsenal players to stick a foot out.
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This has been a heroic defensive display from the Blues. Neve Herron is a real talent, playing with such passion and commitment (and can thread a ball too)
Ant, once of Brum
Arsenal 1-1 Birmingham
Four minutes of added time.
Arsenal 1-1 Birmingham
Ohh! A crucial block from Birmingham captain Millie Turner to deny Arsenal substitute Geraldine Reuteler from close range.
Emily Fox swings the ball back into the box but Sophie Baggaley rises and gets two hands around it. She stays down following the collision with Alessia Russo and is awarded the foul, something Arsenal disagree with.
Arsenal 1-1 Birmingham
Arsenal are camped in Birmingham's third but can't find a way through half a dozen or more blue shirts.
Arsenal are winless across their past four matches in all competitions
Arsenal's poor start to the Women's Super League season continued as Renee Slegers' side could only draw at home against winless Birmingham.
The Gunners have won just one of their first six league games, picking up six points in the process. They are nine points off the top and six off the Champions League qualification places.
They were dominant at Emirates Stadium but once again struggled to break down an opponent's low block to fashion clear-cut opportunities.
Head coach Slegers pointed to "technical basics letting us down" after a result that will feed continuing scrutiny of her performance, and said her players must not lose their belief.
It was Birmingham's star striker Oceane Hurtre who delivered the opener, surging up the pitch on a counter-attack in the second half before dinking the ball over Misa Rodriguez.
While Birmingham were rarely afforded the chance to build up possession, the visitors posed a constant threat on the break and often looked like they would trouble the hosts.
It was one of those breaks which put Birmingham ahead as Hurtre, who has already scored six times in the league for Blues this campaign and netted on her debut for France in the international break, took advantage to round off a move as Arsenal parted in the face of Birmingham's quick counter.
A moment of magic from Olivia Smith levelled things up for Arsenal as she whipped a wonderful strike into the far corner from distance.
Aside from Smith's goal, Alessia Russo also came close but could only strike the far post when she met an expertly whipped Leah Williamson corner with her head inside the box, while Lisa Baum was also unlucky not to score when she had a close-range header saved by Sophie Baggaley.
The result leaves Arsenal eighth in the WSL - and they could slip further down the standings when the other 12 teams play on Sunday. Birmingham, meanwhile, are 11th.
Arsenal's next game is the north London derby next Saturday (12:45 BST), while Birmingham are away to Durham in the Players Cup on Wednesday (19:00).
Is Arsenal boss Slegers' job at risk?
Why are Arsenal struggling to score in WSL?
Given Arsenal have now gone five consecutive league games without a win for the first time in their history, it is unsurprising that there were boos as the full-time whistle blew.
Before the international break, Arsenal boss Renee Slegers said the title race was "not in the conversation" for her side.
The Gunners have not won a league title since 2019 and changing that record looks extremely unlikely.
Arsenal fans would have been hoping the pause could act as a reset for their side, but their familiar failings were all too present on Saturday as they suffered another disappointing result.
Their two games against promoted sides have delivered just two points and they have only managed to score five goals - 11 fewer than leaders Manchester City, who have played a game fewer.
In a league where sides play just 23 matches, a start as slow as this could prove incredibly costly.
When asked about the below-par performance, Slegers said: "I understand the fans, their frustration. I want to thank them for being with us the whole way through and we'll do everything we can to get the win again."
On what went wrong, Slegers added: "The basics. Some touches, some passes, some turnovers and we lost momentum. It was really about the technical basics letting us down in the first half.
"I think we had so much pressure in and around their box in the second half, some good chances. Of course, if you look at the dominance we have - 27 shots - and the amount of box entries, [it needs] to lead to more goals.
"We can't lose belief and [as I was saying in the huddle] individually don't lose belief because you're all incredible players.
"That's what we need to build on moving forward."
While Birmingham remain without a win since their return to the top flight, manager Amy Merricks will be pleased with their performance.
Hurtre's stellar form which has led her to the top of the scoring standings is impressive, but the complete nature of their performance against Arsenal was as much of a standout.
Their deep block was resolute throughout and stopped Arsenal getting through, with the work of defender Neve Herron particularly important, while other players - including the likes of Lily Crosthwaite - were crucial in posing a problem going forward.
After the opportunity to rate players has closed, the score displayed represents the average from all the submissions by BBC Sport users.
| Team | Played | Won | Drawn | Lost | Goals For | Goals Against | Goal Difference | Points | Form, Last 6 games, Oldest first |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 5 | 5 | 0 | 0 | 16 | 6 | 10 | 15 |
| |
| 5 | 4 | 1 | 0 | 12 | 1 | 11 | 13 |
| |
| 5 | 4 | 0 | 1 | 15 | 5 | 10 | 12 |
| |
| 5 | 3 | 1 | 1 | 16 | 8 | 8 | 10 |
| |
| 5 | 3 | 0 | 2 | 4 | 4 | 0 | 9 |
| |
| 5 | 2 | 1 | 2 | 9 | 6 | 3 | 7 |
| |
| 5 | 2 | 1 | 2 | 5 | 9 | -4 | 7 |
| |
| 6 | 1 | 3 | 2 | 5 | 7 | -2 | 6 |
| |
| 5 | 1 | 3 | 1 | 5 | 11 | -6 | 6 |
| |
| 5 | 1 | 2 | 2 | 8 | 7 | 1 | 5 |
| |
| 6 | 0 | 3 | 3 | 8 | 13 | -5 | 3 |
| |
| 5 | 1 | 0 | 4 | 4 | 10 | -6 | 3 |
| |
| 5 | 0 | 3 | 2 | 4 | 11 | -7 | 3 |
| |
| 5 | 0 | 0 | 5 | 2 | 15 | -13 | 0 |
|
Manager:Renee Slegers
Formation:4 - 2 - 3 - 1
Manager:Amy Merricks
Formation:4 - 4 - 1 - 1
Manager:Renee Slegers
Formation:4 - 2 - 3 - 1
Manager:Amy Merricks
Formation:4 - 4 - 1 - 1
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