Renee Slegers insists Arsenal are not in the conversation for the Women's Super League title race after a damaging 4-2 defeat to Manchester City.

Arsenal have made a stuttering start to the campaign, having been tipped as one of the favourites to challenge City for top spot before the season began.

Sunday's loss to City, who have a 100% record so far in the WSL in 2026-27, leaves Arsenal 10th in the table with just five points (W1 D2 L2), 10 behind the reigning champions.

The Gunners had twice led at the Etihad, through Lisa Baum and Alessia Russo, but Lauren Hemp, Kerstin Casparij and Khadija Shaw ensured the hosts snatched all three points.

One of Arsenal's biggest problems across all competitions has been their lack of goals, with only bottom club Charlton Athletic (two) netting fewer times than their four in the WSL.

Against City, Slegers' side had 16 shots, with their nine attempts on target matching the hosts' overall tally, and they won the expected goals (xG) battle 1.6 to 1.0, but they could not hold out for the win.

It comes after a disappointing outing in the Women's Champions League in midweek, too, when Arsenal threw away a 2-0 lead to draw with Paris FC last Wednesday.

And Slegers, who is under pressure after Arsenal's worst start to a WSL season since 2014, is determined to figure out what has gone wrong during the international break.

"It is a tough result," she told Sky Sports. "First half goes back and forth.

"Two teams that have momentum and create. Second half we start well, score a good goal. A lot changes when they make their three changes; they bring an energy, and one of the changes [Casprij] makes the goal.

"After that, it's more difficult. But it's quite an even game, two really good teams going against each other, but we didn't get the margins in the critical moments on our side. We can't concede four goals. We're not happy with that.

"After their changes, they became dominant.

"It's been a lot of games where we feel like we have it and then we don't. That's really pressing, demanding mentally.

"It's good the players go away, go to their national teams, get some new energy, change of environment, and they'll come back, and then we have the next game to prep for.

"There's a lot to review. How we've been doing things, from all aspects. Training programme, bigger things in the background. We're going to do everything we can to see where we can be better.

"At the moment we're not in the [title] conversation, no."

Arsenal will be looking to end their four-match windless streak in the WSL against Birmingham City when they return to domestic action on October 17.