Arsenal had 30 shots, 79 per cent possession and hit the crossbar twice, but Crystal Palace left the Emirates with a point after an extraordinary defensive performance.

Having recorded my raw reaction immediately after the match, I’ve now watched it again and the full picture isn’t quite as bleak as it felt at full-time.

We examine how Palace crowded the spaces around Alessia Russo, the opportunities Arsenal created and why Lisa Baum, Georgia Stanway and Mariona Caldentey offered plenty of encouragement despite the result.

There’s also a closer look at Renée Slegers’ substitutions, what Olivia Smith, Stina Blackstenius, Kim Little, Caitlin Foord and Frida Maanum brought from the bench and whether Arsenal’s problem was creativity, finishing or simply meeting a brilliantly organised defence and an inspired Pauline Peyraud-Magnin.

Finally, we consider the concern that Arsenal may be repeating last season’s familiar mistakes, round up the rest of the WSL weekend and explain why this result feels more like an early warning than a crisis.

Links for listeners

Read more from Trailblazers:

https://www.arsenalwomentrailblazers.com/

Follow Arsenal Women Trailblazers on Instagram:

https://www.instagram.com/arsenalwomentrailblazers/

Arsenal’s official match report:

https://www.arsenal.com/news/report-arsenal-women-0-0-crystal-palace-a9WRZ9V1hhBY

Official match centre and statistics:

https://www.cpfc.co.uk/match/2674495/women/english-women-s-super-league/2026-27/arsenal-women-vs-crystal-palace-women-2026-09-13/

Current WSL table:

https://www.wslfootball.com/standings/wsl

Arsenal Women: Trailblazers is a regular fan podcast dedicated to Arsenal Women. Join host Roberto Revilla for latest news, match previews and reports, tactical talking points and the stories that make Arsenal Women true trailblazers.

Connect with the show on Instagram @arsenalwomentrailblazers

Find us on BlueSky Social @arsenalwomentb

Our website can be found at www.arsenalwomentrailblazers.com

Intro/Outro Music thanks to raspberrymusic from Pixabay

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