Two defeats in a row against FC Bayern and Chelsea means there is a feeling among the fans that the club is in crisis.

While there is a huge problem in the League, qualification in the Champions League is possible with five games to go. So what are the possible solutions to solve this crisis ?

1) Players taking ownership of their performances collectively and individually

LONDON, ENGLAND: Leah Williamson of Arsenal during the Barclays Women's Super League match between Arsenal and Chelsea at Emirates Stadium on October 12, 2024. (Photo by Naomi Baker/Getty Images)
LONDON, ENGLAND: Leah Williamson of Arsenal during the Barclays Women’s Super League match between Arsenal and Chelsea at Emirates Stadium on October 12, 2024. (Photo by Naomi Baker/Getty Images)

It is quite clear that some players are in form, while some others are not. And those bad performances mean the team loses and draws game they could win. It is very easy to put the problems as the manager’s sole responsibility, but at the end of the day, he is not on the pitch kicking the ball.

The players need to take ownership of the situation, there is a need for some leadership on the pitch to lead the team forward and see some revolt when things go wrong. Someone needs to motivate and organise the team on the pitch. We have players who lead by example like Kim Little, but we also need players who will motivate the others and make things happen when things go wrong.

2) Give players who have been patiently waiting for their turn to get a chance a game against Valerenga and West Ham

LONDON, ENGLAND: Beth Mead of Arsenal interacts with Jonas Eidevall, Manager of Arsenal, as she is substituted during the Barclays Women's Super League match between Arsenal and Chelsea at Emirates Stadium on October 12, 2024. (Photo by Naomi Baker/Getty Images)
LONDON, ENGLAND: Beth Mead of Arsenal interacts with Jonas Eidevall, Manager of Arsenal, as she is substituted during the Barclays Women’s Super League match between Arsenal and Chelsea at Emirates Stadium on October 12, 2024. (Photo by Naomi Baker/Getty Images)

Catley, who missed out due to injury, needs to start games, this will also help McCabe who needs a breather.

Hurtig has not played a game yet due to injury, but should really get game time soon, she will bring another option in attack and a different profile too.

Kafaji also needs a start, because she has not started a game, since the Häcken one, where she was hooked at half-time. She got a few appearances as a substitute, but with not many minutes and has not been able to influence the game enough.

Kühl must be wondering why she does not get a game, with three minutes so far this season. Especially when none of the four players in front of her have been consistent in their performances. She also has a different profile that would help the team on attacking phases.

Reid and Godfrey are youngsters patiently waiting for an opportunity and if the senior players in front of them are not performing well, why not give them a chance?

3) Change the manager

LONDON, ENGLAND: Jonas Eidevall, Manager of Arsenal, reacts during the Barclays Women's Super League match between Arsenal and Chelsea at Emirates Stadium on October 12, 2024. (Photo by Richard Heathcote/Getty Images)
LONDON, ENGLAND: Jonas Eidevall, Manager of Arsenal, reacts during the Barclays Women’s Super League match between Arsenal and Chelsea at Emirates Stadium on October 12, 2024. (Photo by Richard Heathcote/Getty Images)

Unfortunately if the players do not really listen to him anymore, it could be time for a change. The attacking system is also failing. It does not look like the manager has a solution to this problem that has been around for the whole three seasons he has been in charge.

Jonas Eidevall told the BBC that the team had worked on defensive set pieces as it was one of Chelsea’s strength, and Chelsea scored early from a set piece. Either the players don’t listen to things in training or they are not good enough to apply what they have worked on.

There are two more games against Valerenga at home in the Champions League and West Ham away in the League before the break. If there was a managerial change to be made, it would make sense to do it during the international break.

Now for the Valerenga game, I would really hope that players who have been underused are given a chance, while those who need a rest are rested too (McCabe, Fox, Little, Caldentey).

So an XI like this would make sense to me: van Domselaar or Zinsberger; Lia, Reid, Codina, Catley; Wälti, Kühl; Mead, Kafai, Foord; Russo or Blackstenius.

Very much an experimental side, but because the tried and trusted methods and players have recently failed to perform, it makes sense to give others a chance.