Laura Hunter, a columnist for Sky Sports, breaks down the most significant storylines emerging from the second round of the Women's Super League, offering readers a deeper look at the narratives shaping the women's game today. The analysis begins with a stark statistic: Arsenal have just set a club record by going unbeaten for twenty consecutive league matches, the longest run in the team's history. While that achievement sounds impressive, it does little to soothe the frustration of manager Renee Slegers after her side slipped up at the Emirates and dropped two points against a Manchester United side that has exposed a surprising amount of frailty early in the campaign, conceding a league‑high seven goals in just a handful of games.
Arsenal have yet to lose a home game under Slegers, a fact that makes the drama of the recent fixture even more telling. In the dying moments of the match, Smilla Holmberg latched onto a beautifully lofted cross delivered by Leah Williamson and headed home a 95th‑minute equaliser, preserving the Gunners' unbeaten home record.
The goal was technically sound, but the quality of the strike was almost invisible against the backdrop of a restless Emirates crowd. Many of those fans had travelled to Crystal Palace the previous weekend to watch a goalless draw, and the feeling of déjà vu was palpable. The pattern suggests that Arsenal are squandering the early momentum they need for a serious title push, stumbling at the very first hurdle once again.
Five points from three games currently leaves Arsenal sitting in sixth place in an expanded league that now features fourteen clubs instead of the previous twelve. The enlargement of the competition may provide a thin slice of comfort for Slegers, as a longer season inevitably creates more opportunities to recover lost points. In a 26‑match schedule, a single draw can later be described as a "good point" if the team manages to string together a run of victories afterwards.
For the moment, however, the draw against Manchester United is best viewed as a setback – another blemish on Arsenal's record that underscores a recurring inability to keep pace with the league's eventual champions. Over the past seven seasons, the Gunners have consistently fallen short of the top spot, even after finishing as runners‑up last term. The central question emerges: what does Arsenal represent if they are not genuine title contenders?
Are they a side that merely promises attacking flair without delivering the decisive goals needed to win games? The statistics are sobering. From sixty shots taken so far this season, Arsenal have found the net only twice, resulting in an expected‑goals (xG) shortfall of 3.84.
Such an inefficiency in front of goal points to deeper tactical issues that go beyond a simple lack of finishing. Slegers, of course, will argue that it is premature to write off a team after only three fixtures, noting that the season is still in its infancy. Yet the patterns observed in these opening games hint at a systemic problem.
Opponents have discovered a tactical formula that works against Arsenal: sit compact, maintain discipline, and make the Gunners work for every inch of territory. When teams execute this approach, Arsenal often struggle to break them down, and a draw becomes a respectable outcome for the opposition, while it feels like a disappointment for the Gunners. Four draws before Christmas were enough to derail Arsenal's title aspirations last year, and the club cannot afford a repeat of that scenario.
The root cause appears to be a waning sense of speed and unpredictability in Arsenal's attack. In the recent match, Mariona Caldentey mis‑directed Alessia Russo's lay‑off pass, sending it wide. Stina Blackstenius headed a point‑blank effort that was saved by Manchester United goalkeeper Phallon Tullis‑Joyce, and Chloe Kelly's long‑range attempt drifted off target. All three chances were legitimate, yet each was tinged with a lingering doubt that reflected a broader lack of confidence.
The decisive moment came in the final kick of the game, when Arsenal finally produced a goal, but only after the opposition had already secured a point. This raises several tactical questions for Slegers and her players. Is the midfield balance correct?
Both Georgia Stanway and Mariona Caldentey appear to be operating as primary number‑8s, potentially overlapping responsibilities and diluting influence from deeper positions. Who should be the orchestrator from deep? Should Alessia Russo be deployed as a traditional number‑10, or perhaps as a more defensive pivot to shield the back line? Are the wide players hesitant to take on defenders one‑on‑one?
The weekend's statistics show that wingers Lisa Baum and Olivia Smith combined for just one cross and one successful dribble, and even the cross that Baum delivered to Blackstenius failed to result in a goal. Rather than exploiting Manchester United's defensive frailties as they adapt to Eva Olid's new system, Arsenal spent much of the match in a passive, overly polite stance, reluctant to fully engage. This restraint seems out of step with the talent available in the squad.
Slegers must demand higher standards: sharper creativity from the playmakers, more incisive service from the flanks, and clinical finishing in the final third. Until these elements are elevated, Arsenal are likely to continue collecting draws that feel more like a punishment than a reward. In contrast, Tottenham's forward Holdt appears to be thriving.
Since February, only Bunny Shaw has scored more goals than Holdt, who has already netted twelve. Tottenham's attacking fluidity is fresh and exhilarating; they dismantled Crystal Palace with a 7‑0 victory, scoring six goals in a 25‑minute burst. Holdt's hat‑trick showcased a variety of finishes: a well‑rehearsed throw‑in routine, a instinctive strike from a loose ball inside the box, and a powerful finish from a quick turnover.
Her blend of talent, determination, and adaptability makes her a key figure for Spurs as they aim to cement their position near the top of the table. The broader implication for Arsenal is clear: without a decisive shift in mentality and execution, the team will continue to hover in the middle of the pack, collecting points that are insufficient for a title challenge.
The club must rediscover the attacking verve and tactical clarity that once made them genuine contenders, or risk becoming a perennial runner‑up in a league that is growing more competitive each season.