Stunning stats show Arsenal defeat to Liverpool could have huge WSL title ramifications

After suffering a shock 1-0 defeat to the Reds at the Emirates in front of a record crowd, the Gunners' season could be looking up.

Results show that in the past three WSL seasons, the eventual winner has never won their first game - a fact which bodes well for Arsenal.

Last season, Chelsea also lost their first game 2-1 to Liverpool before going on to win their fourth consecutive WSL title.

Chelsea's first game in the 2021/22 season was also a 3-2 defeat to Arsenal - but they turned it around to take the top spot.

And in the 2020/21 season, the eventual champions could only manage a 1-1 draw against Manchester United in their opener.

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Arsenal can take confidence from knowing that Chelsea have turned around their less-than-perfect results to claim WSL victory three times in a row now.

The club have also been boosted by the announcement that manager Jonas Eidevall has just signed a new long-term contract.

And Eidevall was determined to turn Arsenal's season around following their opening loss to Liverpool.

He told talkSPORT: "At the end of the day, I think we can do better and that's where the disappointment lies."

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When asked about Arsenal's failure to pick up a convincing win in some time, he admitted it was hard to take.

He said: "We want to win football matches - I don't take that lightly.

"The way we have to look and approach this is to look forward, see what we can learn so we can develop - but, of course, it's frustrating."

While eventual champions Chelsea have failed to win their opener in the last three seasons, they have never lost their second fixture.

They claimed a 2-0 victory over Manchester City in their second game last season, and beat Everton 4-0 and Bristol City 9-0 in the previous two seasons.

When Arsenal take on Manchester United in their second game, victory looks to be crucial for their title hopes.

After crashing out of the Champions League in the qualifying stages, Arsenal are looking to end a four-game losing streak in the WSL.

Manchester United host Arsenal at Leigh Sports Village on Friday 6 October at 7:30pm.