Arsenal face Chelsea in the Women’s Super League (WSL) on Saturday, but the reigning European champions already find themselves five points adrift of the league leaders, having dropped seven points from their opening six fixtures.

It is a worrying statistic, considering that the unbeaten Blues lost fewer points across the whole of last season as they claimed a sixth-consecutive title, and another defeat would extend the gap to a daunting eight points — a margin that could prove difficult to close given the brevity of the 22-game season.

But what are the major issues facing each team?

What state are Arsenal in?

This is a crucial, must-win game for Arsenal — perhaps even a season-defining one at this early stage for manager Renée Slegers. Compounding the challenge of closing a five-point gap in the WSL, the Gunners must also juggle the demanding schedule of the Champions League, with travel and rotation inevitably testing the depth and resilience of their squad. A setback now would not only damage their confidence but could also leave them chasing shadows in the title race before the halfway mark.

For a team with aspirations of defending their European crown and reclaiming domestic supremacy — with their last title win coming in 2019 — this match is a battle to keep their season alive.

Arsenal have faced problems at both ends of the pitch this season. In attack, their usually ruthless frontline has faltered. This is a team that scored four or more goals in eight consecutive home games last term — a record that spoke to their attacking dominance, yet the cutting edge has deserted them of late (as shown by the heatmap below).

Their buildup play remains sharp, but the final touch and finishing has been wasteful, with a host of clear chances going begging. They registered the third-most shots (113) thus far, but with only 40 on target (a very middling 35.4%) results have reflected the lack of clinical edge.

Defensively, things haven’t been much steadier. Goalkeeper Daphne van Domselaar has managed just two clean sheets so far, a surprisingly low return given her reliability and consistency last season. The ongoing injury absence of vice-captain and defensive leader Leah Williamson has clearly left a void.

Without her, Slegers has struggled to settle on a consistent center back partnership for Steph Catley, experimenting with different combinations in search of stability. While 19-year-old Katie Reid has stepped up admirably, her inexperience occasionally shows, and the backline’s composure remains fragile under pressure.

Slegers isn’t under immediate pressure regarding her position — at least not yet. Her historic Champions League triumph last season has earned her considerable credit, enough to shield her from the scrutiny that might not have been afforded to other managers in similar circumstances.

However, that goodwill won’t last forever. With her contract set to expire at the end of the campaign, the stakes are growing higher by the week. A trophyless season would be a major setback, particularly after her bold assertion that this would be the year Arsenal broke their title drought, and should that ambition fall short, her future at the club could quickly be called into question.

What state are Chelsea in?

It hasn’t been the most convincing campaign from Chelsea so far this season. The familiar ruthlessness, the swagger, and ability to completely overwhelm opponents haven’t quite been there. Yet, in true Chelsea fashion, it hasn’t mattered much. The league leaders are still grinding out results and, crucially, still winning the big games that shape title races.

Their recent victory over Manchester City — who themselves managed to beat Arsenal — was another statement of intent. Add to that a hard-fought draw against Manchester United, and it’s clear why Chelsea find themselves in the driver’s seat. A single point separates them from City, two from United, and a growing five-point cushion from Arsenal, who have stumbled early. That gap could stretch even further this weekend if Chelsea secure a result that would send a powerful message to the rest of the league.

It was, after all, a meeting with Arsenal that defined the turning point of last season. Chelsea’s 2-1 triumph at the Emirates — their first-ever away win at that ground — not only sealed former manager Jonas Eidevall’s fate but also removed any lingering psychological barrier about facing the Gunners in north London. This time around, the only obstacle preventing them from potentially ruling Arsenal out of the title race already might be themselves.

Defensively, Chelsea have looked uncharacteristically vulnerable at times, with lapses at the back gifting opponents opportunities they wouldn’t have been given in seasons past. Ordinarily, that might be forgiven if their attacking play were firing on all cylinders, but a subdued frontline has also left fans yearning for the cutting edge that once defined this team.

Chelsea have been missing a true focal point in attack this season. Aggie Beever-Jones has continued her remarkable scoring form with four goals from seven games, but she’s had to work tirelessly for every one (as shown by her actions graphic above). With Mayra Ramírez sidelined until 2026 and Sam Kerr‘s minutes still being carefully managed after her long-term injury, the side are without a traditional center forward presence.

That’s not a criticism of Beever-Jones; far from it. Her ability to hold up play, occupy defenders, and create space for others has been crucial to the team’s attacking output this season. Yet, despite her impressive contributions, Chelsea’s frontline still feels like it’s missing a natural point of reference — a forward who can consistently knit everything together and lead the line with presence as well as precision. It won’t be a quick fix, but one that could develop as the season progresses

If Chelsea can rediscover that balance between grit and flair, it’s difficult to see anyone stopping them from marching toward another league title. And it would be a major step if they can dispatch their closest rivals this weekend.

FRISCO, Texas — Dallas Cowboys defensive end Marshawn Kneeland, 24, died Thursday morning from an apparent self-inflicted gunshot, according to law authorities.

The team put out a statement Thursday but did not mention a cause of death.

“It is with extreme sadness that the Dallas Cowboys share that Marshawn Kneeland tragically passed away this morning. Marshawn was a beloved teammate and member of our organization. Our thoughts and prayers regarding Marshawn are with his girlfriend Catalina and his family.”

The Cowboys have made counseling resources available to all players, coaches and staff. The players are on their bye week and are not scheduled to practice again until Monday.

According to Frisco (Texas) Police, the department responded to assist the Texas Department of Public Safety with locating a vehicle that evaded troopers during a pursuit that entered the city at approximately 10:39 p.m. CT Wednesday.

DPS troopers found Kneeland’s vehicle crashed on southbound Dallas Parkway near Warren Parkway. According to the report, Kneeland fled the scene on foot and officers searched the area with help from K-9 and drone units.

As authorities were looking for Kneeland, a dispatcher told officers that people who knew him had received a group text from Kneeland “saying goodbye. They’re concerned for his welfare,” according to recordings from Broadcastify, which archives public safety radio feeds.

Approximately three hours later, Kneeland was found with what appeared to be a self-inflicted gunshot wound.

Kneeland’s agent, Jonathan Perzley, described his death as “a pain I can hardly put into words.”

“I am shattered to confirm that my client and dearest friend Marshawn Kneeland passed away last night,” Perzley said in a statement. “I watched him fight his way from a hopeful kid at Western Michigan with a dream to being a respected professional for the Dallas Cowboys. Marshawn poured his heart into every snap, every practice, and every moment on the field. To lose someone with his talent, spirit and goodness is a pain I can hardly put into words.

“My heart aches for his family, his teammates and everyone who loved him, and I hope they feel the support of the entire football community during this unimaginable time. I ask that you please give his loved ones the privacy and compassion they need as they grieve this tremendous loss.”

The NFL issued a statement saying it was “deeply saddened” by Kneeland’s death, adding the league has “offered support and counseling resources” to the Cowboys.

Western Michigan coach Lance Taylor said in a statement: “My heart is absolutely broken over the loss of Marshawn Kneeland. Marshawn was so much more than an incredible football player — he was a remarkable young man who meant so much to our program and to me personally. His leadership, energy, and smile were infectious, and he left a lasting impact on everyone in our program. Having coached him during my first season here, we developed a special bond that went far beyond football. His passion for life and his teammates were unmatched. Our entire Bronco Football family is devastated, and we send our deepest prayers to his family, teammates, and all who loved him. Marshawn will forever be a part of the Bronco brotherhood.”

Kneeland was the Cowboys’ second-round pick out of Western Michigan in 2024, No. 56 overall. In Monday’s loss to the Arizona Cardinals, he scored the Cowboys’ first touchdown, recovering a blocked punt in the end zones.

He missed two games this season with injury and was credited with 15 tackles, 1 sack, 2 tackles for loss and 6 quarterback hurries. As a rookie, he missed six games with a knee injury and had 17 tackles, 2 tackles for loss, 13 quarterback pressures, 1 pass breakup and 1 fumble recovery.

Greg Ellis coached Kneeland last year as an assistant on the Cowboys’ staff. He remained in contact with him and texted him before the season started.

“He epitomized what you look for in a football player,” Ellis said. “He played the game hard. He was eager to learn. You hear a lot of things about this generation, but that wasn’t Marshawn. He was still a, ‘Yes, sir. No, sir,’ kind of guy. He wanted extra help with things That was him. Extra stuff, study film.”

When the Cowboys selected Kneeland, his playing style was compared to that of Ellis, who was Dallas’ first-round pick in 1998 and had 77 sacks in 11 seasons with the team. “I wish I would’ve or could’ve done more to help him in other areas of his life,” Ellis said.

Kneeland set records for tackles, sacks and tackles for loss at Godwin Heights High School in Wyoming, Michigan, before attending Western Michigan. In 38 collegiate games. He had 27.5 tackles for loss, 13 sacks, 3 forced fumbles and 3 pass deflections. He was a second-team All-Mid-American Conference pick in 2023, finishing with 57 tackles, 4.5 sacks and 7.5 tackles for loss in nine games.

The Cowboys have dealt with in-season tragedy in recent years. In 2012, linebacker Jerry Brown died in a car accident in which teammate Josh Brent was driving. In 2020, strength and conditioning coach Markus Paul died the day before a game after experiencing a medical emergency.

The Associated Press contributed to this report.

An NFL football game technically took place on Thursday night featuring the Denver Broncos and the Las Vegas Raiders.

The Broncos won the game, 10-7, but it was as ugly as it gets. The two teams combined for two touchdowns, three turnovers, 13 three-and-outs, 22 penalties for 161 yards and 14 punts. Offense was absent as Denver produced 220 total yards and Las Vegas had 188 total yards.

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NFL fans took notice and were left mystified by both teams’ performances in the matchup as it was far from the bitter AFC West battle that everyone was expecting.

Still, the Broncos picked up a big divisional win.

Bo Nix was 16-of-28 with 150 passing yards, a touchdown pass and two interceptions. Running back J.K. Dobbins had 18 carries for 77 yards, averaging 4.3 yards per carry. Troy Franklin had five catches for 40 yards and a touchdown.

For the Raiders, quarterback Geno Smith was 16-of-26 with 143 passing yards and an interception. He was sacked six times.

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Las Vegas Raiders cornerback Kyu Blu Kelly (36) is congratulated by teammate Devin White (45) after intercepting a pass during the first half of an NFL football game against the Denver Broncos Thursday, Nov. 6, 2025, in Denver.  (AP Photo/Jack Dempsey)

Running back Ashton Jeanty had 60 rushing yards on 19 carries and a touchdown. Tyler Lockett, who was playing his first game in the silver and black, had five catches for 44 yards.

If there was a true bright spot in the game, it was in the Raiders’ secondary. Kyu Blu Kelly had two interceptions. They were the first interceptions of his career.

A huge blocked punt by the Broncos led to a Will Lutz go-ahead field goal.

The first half was a defense-dominated punt fest. Between the two teams, there were eight punts, two touchdowns and one turnover.

A.J. Cole was the first Raiders punter to have two punts inside 2-yard line since 2011. One of Cole’s punts bounced in front of the goal line and then took a sideways trajectory before it dribbled out of bounds.

Broncos punter Jeremy Crenshaw had a couple of questionable kicks, but Denver’s defense managed to make a few stops.

The Raiders broke the ice in the first quarter after an errant Crenshaw punt. Smith led Las Vegas on an eight-play, 41-yard drive that ended with a Jeanty touchdown.

Denver Broncos quarterback Bo Nix (10) celebrates after throwing a touchdown pass during the first half of an NFL football game against the Las Vegas Raiders Thursday, Nov. 6, 2025, in Denver.  (AP Photo/Jack Dempsey)

Nix and company got the offense moving on their third drive of the second quarter. He led Denver on a five-play, 53-yard touchdown drive. Nix found Franklin on a 7-yard touchdown catch.

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Denver moved to 8-2 with the win. Las Vegas fell to 2-7.

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