Olivia Smith‘s brilliant second-half strike salvaged a point as struggling Arsenal were forced to settle for a frustrating 1-1 Women’s Super League draw against Birmingham City to pile more pressure on boss Renée Slegers.
The Dutchwoman, who led the Gunners to the Champions League title in 2025, had picked up just one victory from their five opening matches before the international break and they are now winless in five in the league.
Alessia Russo hit the crossbar late in the first half before Oceane Hurtre fired the visitors in front eight minutes after the restart at the Emirates Stadium, where Canada international Smith drew the sides level six minutes after the hour.
The Gunners did get on the front foot early on, with a Kyra Cooney-Cross effort saved with ease by visiting goalkeeper Sophie Baggaley.
Cooney-Cross was denied again on the half hour, but Arsenal’s best chance came just under 10 minutes later when Russo could only nod Leah Williamson’s excellent delivery off the woodwork.
Arsenal fell behind after losing the ball too easily, allowing Neve Herron to play Hurtre through, and the France international obliged her teammate when she lifted the ball over Misa RodrÃguez.
Their advantage lasted for 13 minutes after Baggaley made a big save to deny Lisa Baum, but she could not do anything to stop Smith from rifling the ball into the top corner.
Baggaley preserved the draw with another critical stop, Smith could not capitalise on a couple of subsequent chances, and there was a huge block from Millie Turner to deny Géraldine Reuteler a late winner for the hosts.
