Sky Sports columnist Laura Hunter breaks down the most pressing talking points from the second round of the Women's Super League, bringing readers closer to the narratives that shape the women's game. Arsenal have just set a new club benchmark by going 20 matches unbeaten in the WSL, a record that would normally be a source of pride. Yet for manager Renée Slegers the achievement feels hollow after the Gunners slipped two points at home to Manchester United, a side that has exposed surprising frailties in the opening weeks and already conceded a league‑high seven goals.
Historically, Slegers' Arsenal have never been beaten at the Emirates. So when Smilla Holmberg latched onto a perfectly timed cross from Leah Williamson and headed home in the 95th minute to force a draw, the moment was celebrated as a testament to that unbeaten tradition.
The goal was technically sound, but its brilliance was almost invisible to an Emirates crowd that seemed more preoccupied with the déjà vu of a goalless draw at Crystal Palace the previous weekend. That sense of repetition raises a worrying question: are Arsenal squandering their chances of a genuine title bid right from the first hurdle? The answer, for now, is yes. Five points from three games currently places Arsenal in sixth place in an expanded 14‑team league, up from the previous 12.
The extra two clubs have given Slegers a small cushion, but the reality is that a 26‑match season offers many more opportunities to slip up. In hindsight, this draw might be labeled a "good point," but at the moment it feels like a setback that adds another notch to a growing list of missed chances. For seven seasons Arsenal have struggled to keep pace with the league's eventual champions, even after finishing second last term. The pattern suggests a deeper issue than a simple loss of form.
Are the Gunners still title contenders, or have they become a side that merely promises attractive football without delivering the results to match? Their conversion rate tells a stark story: from 60 shots they have scored only twice, an expected‑goals (xG) shortfall of 3.84. Slegers can certainly argue that three games is too small a sample to judge a team, but the early outings have revealed a tactical vulnerability that opponents are already exploiting.
When a compact defensive block lines up against Arsenal, the Gunners find it difficult to break down such organization. For most teams, a disciplined draw against Arsenal is a satisfactory result, and that reality is eroding the Gunners' confidence.
Four draws before Christmas were enough to knock Arsenal out of the title race last season; repeating that pattern would be disastrous. The team must find a way to inject urgency into their play.
One symptom of the problem is the waning speed and unpredictability of Arsenal's attack. Mariona Caldentey's careless lay‑off to Alessia Russo, Stina Blackstenius's close‑range header that missed Phallon Tullis‑Joyce, and Chloe Kelly's long‑range attempts all illustrate a lack of cutting edge. These are legitimate attempts, but they are tinged with doubt.
The decisive moment came at the very end of the match, when Arsenal finally produced a spark. Yet the overall performance left many questions for Slegers and her squad. Is the midfield balance correct?
Both Georgia Stanway and Mariona Caldentey are deployed as central midfielders, effectively sharing the No.8 role. Who should be the deeper playmaker directing the tempo? Should Alessia Russo be used as a traditional No.10, or perhaps as a more defensive outlet? Are the wingers reluctant to take on one‑on‑one duels?
Over the weekend, Lisa Baum and Olivia Smith combined for just one cross and one dribble, and even the cross that Baum delivered to Blackstenius failed to produce a goal. Instead of exploiting Manchester United's transitional weaknesses under Eva Olid, Arsenal spent large portions of the game standing off, too polite to engage fully. With a squad as talented as theirs, such restraint is unacceptable.
Slegers must demand higher standards: sharper creativity from the midfield, more incisive service from the flanks, and greater composure in front of goal. Every element of the final third needs to be accelerated a few gears.
Until that happens, the Gunners are likely to settle for draws that feel more like missed opportunities than proud results. By contrast, Tottenham's Holdt appears to be thriving.
Since February, only Bunny Shaw (with twelve goals) has outscored her, highlighting Holdt's growing confidence. Spurs' attacking fluidity is fresh and exciting; Crystal Palace held out for a half before succumbing to Martin Ho's inventive side, which ripped them apart in a 7‑0 demolition, netting six goals in just 25 minutes. Holdt's hat‑trick set the tone—a perfect blend of a well‑executed throw‑in finish, a powerful strike from a loose ball inside the box, and a clinical finish after a high turnover.
She exemplifies a mix of talent and determination, adapting quickly to the league's demands and contributing both goals and assists. Her first start for Spurs this season gave Ho a strong platform to push his side up to second place, and the challenge now is to maintain that momentum. In summary, Arsenal's early season narrative is one of promise undermined by inefficiency and tactical rigidity. While the unbeaten streak is impressive on paper, the inability to convert chances and break down organized defenses suggests a team still searching for its identity.
If Slegers can recalibrate the midfield roles, unleash the wingers, and sharpen the finishing, the Gunners could still revive their title aspirations. Until then, the season's early draws serve as a reminder that reputation alone does not win championships.