Arsenal Women are back, and pre-season begins with a 2-1 comeback win over Crystal Palace at the Sobha Realty Training Centre.
But judging by some of the reaction online, you could be forgiven for thinking Arsenal had just lost their opening game of the WSL season.
In my first Trailblazers match report, I use the official accounts from both Arsenal and Crystal Palace to piece together what actually happened in this behind-closed-doors friendly - and then, as always, we go a little deeper.
Crystal Palace were playing their third pre-season match while this was Arsenal’s first. Renée Slegers changed the entire XI at half-time, academy players mixed with established internationals and new signings, and the only goal Arsenal conceded was described by Palace themselves as a stunning long-range strike. So is this really evidence that Arsenal urgently need another centre-back, or are we forgetting what pre-season is actually for?
There’s plenty to be encouraged by, too.
Summer signing Lisa Baum scored her first Arsenal goal, and the manner in which she did it - receiving the ball around the edge of the area, coming inside and shooting - looked remarkably similar to the player we identified when we first analysed her on Trailblazers. For supporters who don’t yet know much about Lisa, this might be our first glimpse of what makes Lisa Baum, Lisa Baum.
And then there’s Chloe Kelly.
After an injury-hit season, and less than 48 hours after I found myself pushing back against yet more criticism and abuse directed towards her online, Chloe returned to the pitch, controlled a difficult high ball and scored Arsenal’s winner with a half-volley.
Does one pre-season goal prove her critics wrong? Of course not. Just as one difficult season doesn’t prove that Chloe Kelly suddenly isn’t good enough for Arsenal.
So as Arsenal begin their preparations for 2026/27, perhaps there’s a better way for all of us to approach what happens over the next few weeks:
Don’t overreact, but pay attention.
🎙️ Arsenal Women: Trailblazers follows Arsenal Women on and off the pitch, celebrating the players and people behind the shirt while creating a space for supporters to be curious, ask better questions and support this team with passion and perspective.
Read the accompanying features and join the Trailblazers community free at ArsenalWomenTrailblazers.com.
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