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 an inside look at the narratives shaping the women's game today. She points out that Arsenal have established a new club record by going 20 matches unbeaten in the league, a feat that would normally be celebrated.
However, for manager Renee Slegers, the achievement feels hollow after the Gunners slipped up at home against Manchester United, conceding two points and allowing the opposition to register a league‑high seven goals in the early part of the season. Arsenal have not lost a home game under Slegers, so the expectation was that they would continue that trend. In the 95th minute, Smilla Holmberg seized a perfectly timed cross from Leah Williamson and forced an equaliser, preserving the unbeaten home record.
The goal was technically sound, but the moment was almost lost on an Emirates crowd that seemed pre‑occupied, perhaps still recalling the goalless draw they had watched at Crystal Palace the previous weekend. The sense of déjà vu was palpable, and many supporters left the stadium wondering whether Arsenal were squandering their chance to mount a serious title challenge right from the outset.
With five points from three matches, Arsenal sit in sixth place in a league that has been expanded from twelve to fourteen clubs, stretching the season to 26 games. The expansion does give Slegers a little breathing room; there are more fixtures and therefore more opportunities to pick up points. In hindsight, a single draw could be labelled a "good point" once the season reaches its conclusion, but for now it is simply a setback – another obstacle in a pattern that has persisted for the past seven seasons, despite Arsenal finishing runners‑up last term.
The pressing question is: what does Arsenal stand for if not a genuine title contender? Their style of play, which should combine attractive attacking football with consistent results, appears to be lacking conviction.
Out of sixty chances created so far, they have only found the back of the net twice, an expected‑goals (xG) shortfall of 3.84. This inefficiency is a glaring statistic that critics will latch onto. Slegers will undoubtedly have a response.
Three games is a small sample size, and the season is barely past the halfway point of the first half. Yet the patterns emerging are worrying. Opponents have discovered a tactical formula that works against Arsenal: sit in a compact block, stay disciplined, and force the Gunners into a low‑scoring stalemate. For most teams, a draw against Arsenal is a valuable result; for Arsenal themselves, it is a missed opportunity.
Last season, four draws before Christmas effectively ended any realistic title hopes, and the club cannot afford a repeat. The problem seems to be a decline in the speed and unpredictability of Arsenal's attack. Mariona Caldentey sent a careless lay‑off to Alessia Russo, Stina Blackstenius headed a ball straight at goalkeeper Phallon Tullis‑Joyce, and Chloe Kelly attempted a long‑range effort – all legitimate attempts, yet each was tinged with a lack of confidence.
The decisive moment came at the very end of the match, when Arsenal finally produced a quality chance. This raises questions for both Slegers and her squad about the balance of the team. Georgia Stanway and Mariona Caldentey appear to be competing for the same central midfield role, both acting as the primary number‑8.
Who should be the deeper‑lying playmaker? Additionally, is Alessia Russo being utilized correctly as a number‑10, or would she be more effective further up the pitch?
The wingers, Lisa Baum and Olivia Smith, contributed only one cross and one successful dribble over the weekend, and the cross that Baum delivered to Blackstenius should have resulted in a goal but did not. Rather than exploiting Manchester United's transitional weaknesses under new coach Eva Olid, Arsenal spent much of the game standing off, too polite to engage fully. Given the talent at their disposal, such restraint is hard to justify. Slegers must demand higher standards: sharper decision‑making from the creative midfielders, more incisive service from the flanks, and greater composure in front of goal.
The final third needs to operate at a higher gear, or Arsenal will continue to settle for draws that feel more like a punishment than a reward. In contrast, Tottenham's Holdt has not suffered a confidence crisis in front of goal. Since February, only Bunny Shaw (with twelve goals) has outscored her, highlighting Holdt's consistency. Spurs' attacking fluidity is fresh and exciting; 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‑executed throw‑in routine, a instinctive strike from a loose ball inside the box, and a powerful finish following a quick turnover. Her blend of talent and determination has allowed her to adapt quickly to the league's demands, making her both a scorer and a creator who can dribble and distribute effectively.
On her first start for Spurs this season, Holdt gave manager Martin Ho plenty to think about as his side climbed to second place. The challenge now is to maintain that position. Overall, Arsenal must confront the reality that their current trajectory does not align with the expectations of a title‑challenging side. They need to refine their midfield structure, clarify player roles, and increase the potency of their attacking output.
Until those adjustments are made, the team will likely continue to collect points that feel more like consolation than triumph, leaving fans and pundits alike to wonder what Arsenal truly represent in the modern Women's Super League.