Laura Hunter, a columnist for Sky Sports, breaks down the most pressing issues emerging from the second round of the Women's Super League, offering readers a deeper look at the narratives shaping the women's game. This analysis begins with a stark statistic: Arsenal have established a new club record by going unbeaten for 20 consecutive league matches. While the achievement sounds impressive, it offers little solace to manager Renee Slegers after her side slipped up at home against Manchester United, conceding two points in a match that exposed unexpected frailties and saw United net a league‑high seven goals.
Arsenal have never been beaten on their own turf under Slegers, a fact that makes the late drama all the more puzzling. In the 95th minute, Smilla Holmberg latched onto a perfectly floated cross from Leah Williamson and headed home an equaliser, preserving the club's unbeaten home record. The goal was technically sound, but the Emirates Stadium crowd, still buzzing from a goalless draw they had just watched at Crystal Palace the previous weekend, seemed indifferent.
The atmosphere felt oddly familiar, as if the fans were watching a replay of a previous stalemate rather than a decisive victory. The result leaves Arsenal perched on five points from three games, a tally that currently places them sixth in a league that has expanded from twelve to fourteen teams.
The enlargement of the competition could be seen as a small comfort for Slegers, suggesting there will be more opportunities to climb the table over a 26‑match season. Some may even label this draw a "good point" in hindsight, but at the moment it reads as a setback—a reminder that Arsenal still struggle to keep pace with the league's eventual champions.
Over the past seven seasons, the Gunners have repeatedly fallen short of the top spot, even after a strong second‑place finish last term. So, what does Arsenal stand for if not a genuine title challenge? Is the club merely a collection of players who can generate chances without the conviction to finish them?
The numbers underline the problem: from sixty shots taken so far, Arsenal have only found the back of the net twice, a glaring under‑performance compared with an expected goals (xG) figure of 3.84. While Slegers can argue that three games is an insufficient sample size to judge a team, the patterns emerging are worrying. Opponents seem to have discovered a tactical formula that stifles Arsenal's fluidity: sit in a compact block, stay disciplined, and force the Gunners into a low‑scoring draw.
For every side besides Arsenal, a point against them is a valuable result; for Arsenal, it is a disappointment. Last season, four draws before Christmas effectively ended any realistic title hopes. Repeating that scenario would be disastrous, and the team must act quickly to reverse the trend.
The attacking spark that once defined Arsenal appears to be fading. Mariona Caldentey's mis‑directed lay‑off to Alessia Russo, Stina Blackstenius's close‑range header that barely missed Phallon Tullis‑Joyce, and Chloe Kelly's speculative long‑range attempts all illustrate an offense that lacks sharpness and confidence. The final whistle revealed that Arsenal's best moment came at the very end, a pattern that cannot be sustained. Questions arise for both Slegers and her squad: Is the midfield balance correct?
Both Georgia Stanway and Mariona Caldentey are being used in a similar No 8 role, potentially overlapping responsibilities and diluting creative influence. Who should be the deep‑lying playmaker orchestrating attacks? Should Alessia Russo be deployed as a true No 10, or perhaps as a more defensive outlet? Are the wide players hesitant to take on defenders one‑on‑one?
Over the weekend, Lisa Baum and Olivia Smith combined for just one cross and one successful dribble, and even the promising delivery from Baum that found Blackstenius failed to produce a goal. Rather than exploiting Manchester United's transitional weaknesses under new coach Eva Olid, Arsenal spent much of the match standing off, almost politely, and failed to impose their own style. The talent in the squad suggests they are capable of a more aggressive, decisive approach. Slegers must demand greater precision from her playmakers, better service from the flanks, and more clinical finishing.
In essence, every facet of Arsenal's final third needs to shift up a gear; until that happens, the team will likely continue to settle for draws that feel more like missed opportunities than respectable outcomes. In contrast, Tottenham's forward Holdt appears to be thriving.
Since February, only Bunny Shaw has matched her goal tally, with Holdt scoring eight times. Spurs' attacking fluidity is fresh and exciting, as demonstrated in their recent 7‑0 demolition of Crystal Palace, where they scored six goals in a 25‑minute burst. Holdt's hat‑trick showcased a variety of finishes: a well‑executed set‑piece, a powerful strike from a loose ball inside the box, and a composed finish after a quick turnover. Her blend of talent, determination, and adaptability makes her a standout in the league, capable of both scoring and creating opportunities.
On her first start for Spurs this season, Holdt gave manager Martin Ho a clear signal that his side could challenge for the top positions, propelling them to second place in the table. The next challenge for Spurs will be to maintain that momentum and stay in the race. Overall, Arsenal's current predicament underscores a broader issue within the club: the need to translate possession and chance creation into tangible results. Whether through tactical tweaks, clearer role definitions, or a renewed attacking mindset, the Gunners must find a way to break the cycle of draws and re‑establish themselves as genuine contenders for the Women's Super League title.