Based in London, Emily Keogh is ESPN's women's soccer correspondent, specializing in the WSL and UWCL. LONDON, England -- Is it too early to rule Arsenal out of the title race? After a bruising 1-0 loss to Chelsea on Sunday, Arsenal's season feels irreparable. It's premature to make sweeping conclusions only four games into the WSL season, but as Arsenal's campaign goes from bad to worse, their title hopes are hanging in the balance.

The Gunners' current shot conversion rate of 2.5% this term is the worst in the WSL since bottom of the league Yeovil Town in 2017-18 (2.2%). They have only scored twice in their first four games. Arsenal had a 1-0 win over Brighton in their 2026-27 opener, but stumbled next in a 0-0 draw with Crystal Palace.

Then, they rescued a point in the final minute of stoppage time against Manchester United, dropping seven points in total -- claiming a measly five points from a possible nine. This was supposed to be the season that ended the Gunners' seven-year title drought. But following a profligate 1-0 loss to Chelsea on Sunday, it looks anything but.

For the third time this season, the Gunners were made to pay for their wastefulness. Chelsea had done their homework and Arsenal played right into it. The Blues set up a solid defensive block and allowed Arsenal to have the ball.

They were patient and hit the visitors on the counter, eventually building pressure that led to Alyssa Thompson's match-winning goal. None of Arsenal's eight chances in the first half had any real conviction. It was a case of: get the ball in a good area and hope for the best.

Even Mariona Caldentey was unable to bury her close-range chance, unmarked in the box. The difference between the sides is the mentality. Chelsea celebrated the goal like they had won the world cup.

They are unbeaten in each of their last 45 WSL matches when leading at any stage (W38 D7). Even during Arsenal's late flurry of chances in the second half following a triple substitution, Chelsea pulled off an impressive defensive display to hold on. It may have been 1-0 but the calmness and composure Chelsea showed was indicative of a team capable of reclaiming their title.

Last season, backs-to-the-wall defending would have been Chelsea's undoing. At times it was haphazard and messy but this season, it is composed and controlled. It is why The Blues are undefeated so far this season."The plan for this season is in terms of mindset and mentality is to be strong and to be together," Bompastor said after the game. "No matter what happened in the game, I always want to see a group of players, but also a team together in our high moments, when we are doing well, but also in the low moments."We were also really strong in terms of mental, but also physical aspects in terms of winning the duals, defending the box, and not to concede.

I think it's a great result of the performance."The display warranted the elated reaction from Chelsea coach Sonia Bompastor, who embraced Katie Mc Cabe. The Ireland captain switched sides during the summer and though she received the loudest reception -- a mix of ire from her former fans and adulation from her new supporters -- she had the last laugh. Mc Cabe had weathered the storm of facing her former team with composure and smugness, not rising to their indignation but letting it fuel her performance.

At the final whistle, three Arsenal players collapsed to the ground stretching their legs like they had just played one of the most important 90 minutes of their careers. And for their title hopes, they have. The summer transfer window was a highlight for the club, bringing in eight new players, overhauling the squad and creating a new-look Arsenal tasked with ending their seven-year title drought.

Early returns say: it does not look like that will be happening. At some point, Arsenal manager Renée...