Arsenal Look To Close The Gap On Manchester City In WSL Title Race, Says Kim Little

Arsenal closed the gap on Manchester City in the Women's Super League title race, and Kim Little believes sustained form can apply real pressure. The captain highlighted the importance of consistent results after Arsenal beat City 1-0 at Emirates Stadium, cutting the deficit to 10 points.

Olivia Smith scored the only goal on Sunday, striking in the 17th minute to secure victory. The result ended Andree Jeglertz's long unbeaten league run with City, while also extending Arsenal's own positive sequence and keeping hopes of a first title since 2018-19 alive.

Opta's season simulations still place Manchester City as clear favourites for the Women's Super League title. City are given a 94.8% chance of finishing top, yet Arsenal's probability stands

second-highest at 3.2%, despite sitting fourth in the table after the latest round of fixtures.

City's defeat at Emirates Stadium was only their second league loss of the 2025-26 campaign. Before facing Arsenal, Jeglertz's side had not lost since the opening-day reverse against Chelsea and had put together 13 straight Women's Super League victories to tighten their grip on first place.

Arsenal's own league record now shows nine matches without defeat, with six wins and three draws. That sequence has reintroduced the club into the title conversation, particularly as City must still navigate a demanding schedule where, as recent results showed, dropped points remain possible.

Little accepts the scale of the challenge, but also sees opportunity if Arsenal maintain their level. The captain stressed that sustained pressure on City is crucial, while also acknowledging the leaders' strong position after months of consistent results near the top of the standings. She told BBC Sport: "Ultimately, in the league, City have put themselves in a good position and our job is to push as much as we can. "

THIS IS WHO WE ARE pic.twitter.com/yfelZSlQMA Arsenal Women (@ArsenalWFC) February 8, 2026

The meeting with City followed a different type of challenge for Arsenal, who missed Women's Super League action the previous week. Instead, the squad travelled for the inaugural Champions Cup, where they defeated Corinthians to claim another trophy and carry further confidence into the domestic campaign.

Little underlined how two high-profile matches at Emirates Stadium in quick succession have tested the squad. The midfielder pointed to strong performances across the group and highlighted how the backing from the stands influenced energy levels during both decisive home wins against domestic and international opposition.

"It's been a big week in terms of fixtures,Little added. We've put in great performances, all of the players have done really well. We've risen to the occasion and our fans have been a huge part of that. To play to nearly 40,000 again today, it's a special atmosphere and it adds a percentage to our performance. We're thankful to them. "

Jeglertz, meanwhile, looked ahead quickly after City's second league defeat of the season, with Leicester City awaiting on February 15. The head coach backed the squad to respond, but also recognised that every remaining Women's Super League fixture, including further meetings relevant to Arsenal, is likely to be demanding.

"I'm not worried at all, there's no doubt that we'll bounce back,Jeglertzdeclared. The players gave everything at the end, but we know the rest of the league will be tough, so we need to handle that in a good way, then well be fine. "

Key numbers underline how Arsenal and Manchester City shape the Women's Super League title race. City still control their destiny, yet Arsenal's unbeaten stretch, recent silverware and strong home backing keep the contest relevant, especially if remaining fixtures bring further twists for Jeglertz's side.