Arsenal lack clinical edge and waste big opportunity

January 12, 2026

In partnership with

WOMEN’S FOOTBALL WEEKLY

The five-minute read for dedicated-ish fans of women’s football.

This week, the January blues hit. The WSL might have finally returned, but Arsenal vs Man United did not live up to the hype, Neville endured a horrific debut at Leicester and Qatar was announced as leading contender for the Club World Cup. Enjoy!

– Jo, founder of Twentytwo

⚽ PICKS FROM THE PITCH

Arsenal lack clinical edge and waste big opportunity

The WSL was finally back after the winter break, but it all felt a bit stuck in first gear. The big story was how Arsenal failed to capitalise on Man United going down to ten despite 64% possession and 25 shots. Only six were on target, and with zero goals, it means there’s now clear day light between the Gooners and the top two, after Chelsea and City won comfortably.

OUR TOP STRIKES & SAVES:

  1. Kirsty Hanson – Exquisite long ranger, 6th goal of the season

  2. Sandy ‘the bullet’ Baltimore – Rocketted the ball into the top corner

  3. Anneke Borbe – Fingertip save to keep Rolfo out

🎥 Watch this if you only click one thing: Spurs legend Ash Neville made the move to Leicester this week, only to face her old club in her debut game. And what a rollercoaster of a debut. Her day started with a guard of honour and an official farewell to recognise her 9 years of service at Spurs. It ended with her scoring an own goal to give Spurs the 1-0 win. Most awkward debut ever?

RESULTS: WSL MATCHDAY 12
AS IT STANDS

🚨ICYMI

Top Headlines

⚖️ A 26‑year‑old man has pleaded guilty to racially abusing England and Chelsea defender Jess Carter online after Euro 2025, in a case police say shows racist “trolling” can and will end up in court. Read more

🏆 Bunny Shaw and Andrée Jeglertz have done the December double, taking WSL Player and Manager of the Month, while Jordan Nobbs took Player of the Month in the WSL2. 

🏟️If you could choose anywhere to host the first ever Women’s Club World Cup in January 2028, where would it be? “Qatar”, said nobody but FIFA. Cue the inevitable questions over player welfare, human rights, scheduling and politics. Read more

💰 The NWSL Players Association is challenging the new “High Impact Player” rule, arguing that letting clubs pay certain stars above the salary cap without proper negotiation breaks the league’s collective bargaining agreement – the contract that sets pay and conditions for all players. Read more

🇺🇸 The USWNT will face Argentina, Canada and Colombia at the 2026 SheBelieves Cup (1-7 March). The final will include a retirement celebration for US legend Tobin Heath. Read more

📚 WHAT WE’RE READING…

Arsenal needed UWCL-winning coach Slegers to sign new contract, now they must back her – ESPN

✍️ INSIDE TRACK

Transfer Round-up

Nighswonger, left, and Neville

USWNT defender Jenna Nighswonger has landed at Villa, Spurs legend Ashleigh Neville has swapped north London for a relegation fight, and Katie Robinson has taken a shock step down to WSL2. Here’s the key business, club by club.

CONFIRMED TRANSFERS

Aston Villa
Jenna Nighswonger joins on loan from Arsenal with an option to buy, giving Villa a high‑ceiling left‑sider and NWSL/USWNT‑level quality in a position they’ve struggled to nail down. Katie Robinson, briefly recalled from Everton, has left permanently to re‑join Bristol City, thinning their wide options but freeing minutes.​

Bristol City
Bristol add teenager Jessie Gale and pull off a headline move by bringing England forward Katie Robinson back from Villa on a long‑term deal – a real statement for a club chasing promotion rather than just survival.​

Brighton: Norway international Olaug Tvedten arrives from Vålerenga as a technical, goal‑scoring midfielder, signed to inject creativity and a bit of chaos into a Brighton side that’s often looked too safe in possession.​

Chelsea: Ashanti Akpan is recalled from her Southampton loan after a solid WSL2 spell.​

Everton: Hannah Blundell joins on loan from Manchester United, bringing much‑needed stability at full‑back and Melissa Lawley is recalled from Burnley for some extra creativity up top.​

Leicester City: Leicester land Ashleigh Neville from Spurs on a deal to 2027 – a huge leadership and versatility boost for a side fighting the drop.​

Liverpool: continue their attacking rebuild by signing Norway forward Anna Jøsendal from Hammarby.​

West Ham: France international Estelle Cascarino arrives on loan to stabilise a defence that’s been under siege.

MANAGER MOVES

→ Renée Slegers has signed a new three-year deal making her Arsenal head coach to 2029. Jodie Taylor has joined Arsenal as their technical director.
→ London City Lionesses have added former Newcastle United manager, Becky Langley, to Eder Maestre’s staff as First Team Assistant Coach.

RUMOUR HAS IT:

→ Juventus are targeting Brighton’s Fran Kirby
→ Sam Coffey is close to a deal with Man City
→ Chelsea’s Oriane Jean-François is heading to Aston Villa
→ Geyse (Man Utd) is likely to make her loan at Club América permanent
→ Rachel Williams is said to be moving to Leicester City

👟 KIT DROP

adidas have dropped their first big boot pack of 2026, “Born for Goals”, putting Aitana Bonmatí in the new Predator and Vicky López and Trinity Rodman in the revived F50 speed silo. They’re asking fans whether they’re team Predator or team F50, and we’re firmly Team F50. Get yours here

Mizuno’s Unity Sky pack dresses the Alpha III and Morelia Neo IV β in a dreamy celeste/white/ultramarine combo – a great tech-packed alternative if you’re bored of Nike/adidas drops. Explore the collection

Liverpool have unveiled a new global lifestyle partnership with Tommy Hilfiger – their first-ever club deal in football – bringing pre-match fashion fits for the men’s and women’s squads, even if that bold red suit might be one for the brave only.

🎟️ FAN OPS

FIFA Women’s Champions Cup: London, 28 Jan - 1 Feb 2026
Arsenal, ASFAR, Corinthians and Gotham FC confirmed as the semi-finalists.
Tickets are on sale now

📺 WEEKLY WATCHLIST

What We’re Watching

Your what-not-to-miss viewing guide (BST)

Women's FA Cup Fourth Round

Thursday 15 January
West Brom vs Everton (19:30, TNT Sports1)

Friday 16 January
Newcastle United vs West Ham United (19:30, TNT Sports1)

Saturday 17 January
Sunderland AFC vs London City Lionesses (12:15, TNT Sports1)

Sunday 18 January
Arsenal vs Aston Villa (14:00, Channel 4, TNT Sports1)

📂 JOBS, JOBS, JOBS

  • Fancy working at what we believe is the first Women’s Sports Bar in the UK? Crossbar (in Brighton) launches on 6 Feb and is hiring full and part time bar staff (must have experience). Apply now

  • Digital Marketing Executive | Brentford FC | Apply by 18 Jan

  • Assistant Construction Project Manager (Capital Projects) | The FA | Apply by 20 Jan

  • Safeguarding Manager | Brighton & Hove Albion FC | Apply by 20 Jan

  • Senior Analyst | Independent Football Regulator | Apply by 24 Jan

👀 FAVE FINDS

The Powerhouse Project is launching the Powerhouse Academy in September 2026, a post‑16 set‑up for girls who want to keep playing seriously while studying, with extra modules in media, coaching and careers so fewer young women feel they have to drop out of the game.

And in our not so ‘fave find’ this week… Kyra Cooney-Cross shared that her mum has been diagnosed with Stage 4 Cholangiocarcinoma (bile duct cancer). She’s taking leave from Arsenal to be in Australia with her family. A Go Fund Me has been set up to support her mum. 

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See you next week!

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