Laura Hunter, a columnist for Sky Sports, breaks down the most compelling narratives emerging from the second round of the Women's Super League, offering readers a deeper look at the stories shaping the women's game. Arsenal have just set a new club benchmark by going 20 matches unbeaten in the WSL, the longest run in the club's history. Yet that achievement offered little solace to manager Renee Slegers after her side slipped up at the Emirates and dropped two points to Manchester United, a team that has exposed several frailties in the opening weeks of the campaign and conceded a league‑high seven goals.
The Gunners have never been beaten at home under Slegers, so it was only natural that Smilla Holmberg latched onto a perfectly floated cross from Leah Williamson and headed a 95th‑minute equaliser, preserving the unbeaten home record. The goal was executed with precision, but its brilliance was almost lost on an Emirates crowd that seemed more pre‑occupied with the déjà vu of a goalless draw at Crystal Palace the previous weekend. Those fans, having travelled to Selhurst Park only to watch a stalemate, left the stadium with a strange sense of repetition.
Arsenal now appear to be squandering any realistic chance of mounting a serious title challenge right from the first hurdle. Five points from three games currently places Arsenal in sixth position in a league that has been expanded from 12 to 14 clubs, stretching the season to 26 matches. The expansion might offer a small comfort to Slegers, as there will be more opportunities to climb the table over a longer campaign.
In hindsight, a point earned in this early stage could be labelled a "good point" when the season reaches its climax. For the moment, however, the result must be framed as a setback – another blemish on Arsenal's record of failing to keep pace with the league's eventual champions. Over the past seven seasons the club has struggled to convert its pedigree into titles, despite finishing as runners‑up last term. This raises a fundamental question: what does Arsenal stand for if not genuine title contention?
Is the team merely a collection of attacking talent that lacks the conviction to turn chances into goals? So far, Arsenal have managed just two goals from 60 attempts, an expected‑goals (xG) shortfall of 3.84, indicating a severe inefficiency in front of goal. Slegers will undoubtedly have a rebuttal ready.
It is premature to write off any team after three fixtures, especially when the league is still in its infancy. Yet the three matches have already highlighted a deeper issue: opponents seem to have discovered a tactical formula that neutralises Arsenal’s usual fluidity. When a side sits in a compact block, Arsenal struggle to break them down.
Maintaining defensive discipline against the Gunners often earns the opposition a point, and a draw is a valuable result for everyone except Arsenal themselves. The pattern of drawing games before Christmas proved decisive in eliminating Arsenal from the title race last season, and they cannot afford a repeat. The attacking spark that once defined Arsenal appears to be fading. Mariona Caldentey sent Alessia Russo’s lay‑off into a wide, harmless space.
Stina Blackstenius headed a point‑blank chance that barely brushed past Phallon Tullis‑Joyce. Chloe Kelly tried a long‑range effort that lacked conviction.
All of these attempts were technically sound but were undercut by a lingering doubt that sapped their potency. Their best moment came only at the final whistle, a reminder that the team is still searching for a decisive edge.
Both Slegers and her players must be questioned after such a tentative start. Is the midfield balance correct? Georgia Stanway and Mariona Caldentey both occupy the No 8 role, seemingly duplicating responsibilities rather than complementing each other.
Who should be the deep‑lying playmaker dictating tempo? Should Alessia Russo be deployed as a true No 10, or does she belong further back as a defensive shield? Are the wide players hesitant to take on one‑on‑one duels? Over the weekend, Lisa Baum and Olivia Smith combined for just one cross and one successful dribble, and the solitary cross that Baum delivered to Blackstenius should have resulted in a goal but did not.
Instead of exploiting Manchester United's defensive frailties as they adapt to Eva Olid’s new system, Arsenal spent the majority of the match standing off, too polite to engage fully. The squad possesses enough talent to play with greater intent and aggression. Slegers must demand higher standards: sharper decision‑making from the creative midfielders, more incisive service from the flanks, and a clinical edge in front of goal.
Every element of the final third needs to shift into a higher gear; until then, Arsenal will be content with draws that feel more like disappointments than achievements. In contrast, Tottenham’s Holdt appears to be thriving.
Since February, only Bunny Shaw (with 12 goals) has outscored her, highlighting Holdt’s growing confidence in front of goal. Spurs’ attacking fluidity feels fresh and exhilarating.
Crystal Palace managed to hold out for half a game before succumbing to Martin Ho’s inventive side, which delivered a 7‑0 demolition, netting six goals in a blistering 25‑minute spell. Holdt’s hat‑trick set the tone, showcasing a varied arsenal of strikes: a well‑orchestrated throw‑in finish, an instinctive strike from a loose ball inside the box, and a powerful finish after a swift turnover.
To my eye, Holdt blends raw talent with determination, adapting to the league’s demands faster than most peers. She can both score and create, handling the ball with composure and distributing it effectively. In her first Spurs start of the season, she gave Ho plenty to consider as his side climbed to second place in the table. The real challenge now is to maintain that momentum and stay near the summit.
Overall, Arsenal must confront the reality that their early‑season performances have exposed structural weaknesses. The team needs to rediscover the attacking verve that once made them feared, refine tactical roles, and improve finishing efficiency. Only by addressing these issues can they hope to transform draws into victories and re‑establish themselves as genuine contenders for the Women’s Super League title.