Three Things We Learned after Arsenal Women's pre-season loss in North London Derby 

Here's Stephan Georgiou with Three Things We Learned about Arsenal Women after Saturday's Meadow Park NLD

Arsenal played out a seven-goal thriller in their first pre-season match this weekend, with Renee Slegers' European champions losing out to north London rivals Tottenham Hotspur.

A pre-season defeat is by no means a disaster, but here are three things we learned after the Gunners' defeat at Meadow Park, writes Stephan Georgiou 

1 - Rustiness there for all to see

If there's a silver lining to conceding four goals in the first game back, it's that all of them came from Arsenal's own doing. Spurs' first equaliser came following some pretty relaxed defending in the box, with their second coming from the penalty spot.

Another cheap giveaway saw the visitors take the lead in the second half, while a dangerous free-kick opportunity and some unfortunate goalkeeping eventually sealed Arsenal's fate.

This won't cut it on the opening day, but it seems that Arsenal have creases to iron out rather than requiring urgent tactical tweaks.

2 - Options in abundance

With all the new signings on show, Slegers may well have a selection headache or two come the new campaign. And despite the likes of Stina Blackstenius and Leah Williamson sitting this one out, there is already a sense that Arsenal have built a squad full to the brim with quality as they bid to wrest the title back.

Strength in depth will absolutely be needed if Arsenal are to compete on four fronts this term, with the spread of talent at Slegers' disposal reason enough to be just a little excited.

3 - Victoria Pelova's time has come

It's easy to get carried away after a player scores in pre-season, but for Victoria Pelova, her early strike against Spurs may be a sign that we are about to see the best of her.

The midfielder was a long-term absentee until finally making her comeback from an ACL injury in March, with the 26-year-old admitting that she was feeling good about her fitness following the Spurs clash.

One goal in a friendly won't change much, but if she is indeed back up to speed with the new campaign around the corner, this can act as a huge bonus for Slegers and Arsenal ahead of 2025-26.