Sky Sports columnist Laura Hunter breaks down the most significant talking points from the second round of the Women's Super League, giving readers a deeper look at the narratives shaping the women's game. The analysis opens with a reminder to use the Chrome browser for the best video experience. Arsenal have just set a new club milestone: a 20‑game unbeaten run in the Women's Super League, the longest in the team's history. Yet that achievement offers little consolation to manager Renée Slegers after her side slipped up at home, conceding two points to a Manchester United side that has exposed serious frailties in the opening weeks of the campaign, surrendering a league‑high seven goals.
Historically, Slegers' Arsenal have never been beaten on their own turf. Consequently, it was almost inevitable that Smilla Holmberg would seize a beautifully lofted cross from Leah Williamson and head home a 95th‑minute equaliser, preserving the club's unbeaten home record. The goal was executed with precision, but the quality of the strike was almost lost on the expectant Emirates crowd. Many of those fans had just travelled to Crystal Palace the previous weekend to watch a goalless draw, leaving both matches with an uncanny sense of déjà vu.
Arsenal now appear to be squandering their chances of mounting a genuine title challenge right from the outset, and this is a pattern that is beginning to repeat itself. Five points from three games currently places Arsenal only sixth in a league that has been expanded from twelve to fourteen teams, stretching the season to 26 matches. The expansion may provide a sliver of comfort for Slegers, as there will be more opportunities to recover points over a longer schedule. What looks like a modest setback now could be re‑framed later in the season as a "good point" when the final table is compiled.
At present, however, the result must be seen as a setback—a further nail in the coffin of Arsenal's long‑standing inability to keep pace with the league's top side in any given year. Over the past seven seasons there has been scant evidence to suggest otherwise, even after a second‑place finish last term.
This raises the question: if Arsenal are not title contenders, what do they stand for? Are they a team that only promises an attractive style of play without delivering the decisive goals needed to win matches?
So far, Arsenal have attempted 60 shots but have only found the net twice, an expected‑goals (xG) shortfall of 3.84. Slegers will undoubtedly have a rebuttal ready. No team should be judged after just three games; the season is still in its infancy.
Yet the first three outings have exposed a deeper issue that extends beyond a short‑term slump. Opponents seem to have discovered a tactical formula that works against Arsenal: sit in a compact block and make it difficult for the Gunners to break them down. Maintaining discipline against Arsenal often yields a point, and very rarely more, which is a useful result for every side except Arsenal themselves. If the opposition can simply absorb pressure and then claim a draw, they are effectively taking what belongs to the Gunners.
Four draws before Christmas were enough to eliminate Arsenal from the title race last season, and they can ill‑afford a repeat of that scenario. The urgency to reverse this trend must be felt immediately, but how?
One worrying sign is the diminishing speed and unpredictability of Arsenal's attack. Mariona Caldentey's pass to Alessia Russo was carelessly wide, Stina Blackstenius' point‑blank header was saved by Phallon Tullis‑Joyce, and Chloe Kelly's long‑range effort was just another missed opportunity.
All of these attempts, while technically sound, were tinged with a lack of confidence. Arsenal saved their best chance for the final whistle, but even that came too late to change the outcome. This prompts a series of questions for Slegers and her players after such a tentative start.
Is the midfield balance correct? Georgia Stanway and Mariona Caldentey appear to be performing overlapping roles as the primary number eight, potentially causing confusion over who should dictate play from deep. Should Alessia Russo be deployed as a true number ten, or is she better suited to a more defensive role on the back line?
Are the wingers hesitant to take on one‑on‑one duels? Over the weekend, Lisa Baum and Olivia Smith combined for only one cross and one dribble, and the lone delivery from Baum that found Blackstenius should have resulted in a goal but did not.
Rather than exploiting Manchester United's defensive weaknesses as they adapt to Eva Olid's new system, Arsenal spent much of the match standing off, too polite to engage fully. This is puzzling given the squad's evident talent; such restraint seems counter‑productive. Slegers must demand more from her side: sharper creativity from the midfield playmakers, more incisive service from the wide areas, and a higher conversion rate in front of goal. Every element of the final third needs to be accelerated a few gears.
Until that happens, Arsenal are likely to settle for disappointing draws. The article then shifts focus to Tottenham's rising star, Holdt, who appears to be free from any crisis of confidence in front of goal.
Since February, only Bunny Shaw (with twelve goals) has outscored her eight. Tottenham's attacking fluidity is fresh and exciting. Crystal Palace held out for an entire half before feeling the full force of Martin Ho's inventive side, which later delivered a 7‑0 thrashing, scoring six goals in a devastating 25‑minute spell. Holdt's hat‑trick set the tone for that victory, showcasing three different types of strikes: a well‑executed throw‑in routine, an instinctive volley from a loose ball inside the box, and a powerful finish following a quick turnover.
To the author, Holdt exemplifies a blend of talent and determination, adapting to the league's demands faster than most. She is both a scorer and a creator, comfortable carrying the ball as well as distributing it.
On her first start for Spurs this season, Holdt gave Ho plenty to consider as his side moved up to second place in the table. The next challenge will be to maintain that position. The piece concludes with a reminder to play the Super 6 competition for a chance to win £1m, noting that entry is free.
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