Too nice: do Arsenal lack the grit and tenacity to end WSL title drought?

Renée Slegers’ team have the technical ability, but doubts remain over the nastiness needed to rival Manchester City and Chelsea Arsenal, 10 points adrift of the Women’s Super League leaders, are poised to undertake a “big review” of their season during this international break to try to determine where things have gone so horribly wrong – again – in the early stages. After their 4-2 loss at Manchester City on Sunday, it felt as if the agenda needs to include an unusual but potentially critical question: is this team nasty enough to win a WSL title? The technical ability throughout the world-class squad Arsenal have assembled could hardly be higher but the levels of grit, resilience and tenacity need examining in a group that appear unable to match Chelsea and Manchester City when it comes to the mental aspects of a title race. Arsenal last won the WSL in 2019.