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 today. The analysis opens with a reminder to use Chrome for the best video experience, then dives straight into Arsenal's recent fortunes.
Arsenal have just set a new club benchmark by going 20 matches unbeaten in the Women's Super League – the longest run in the club's history. While the record is impressive on paper, it offers little consolation to manager Renée Slegers after her side slipped up at the Emirates and dropped two points against Manchester United.
United, despite a shaky start to the campaign that has seen them concede a league‑high seven goals, managed to claw back a point in the dying moments of the game. The Gunners have yet to lose at home under Slegers, a fact that made Smilla Holmberg's 95th‑minute equaliser from a soaring cross by Leah Williamson feel almost inevitable. The goal was a textbook finish, but the excitement was muted among an Emirates crowd that seemed to be replaying the disappointment of a goalless draw against Crystal Palace the previous weekend. Both matches left fans with a strange sense of déjà vu, as Arsenal appear to be squandering early opportunities to mount a genuine title challenge.
At this stage of the season, five points from three games only places Arsenal in sixth position in an expanded league of 14 teams – a league that grew from 12 teams last season. The extra two slots may provide a tiny bit of comfort, suggesting there will be more chances to pick up points over a 26‑game schedule.
Some might even label the draw against United a "good point" once the season is over, but for now it feels more like a setback that adds another notch to Arsenal's list of shortcomings. The broader picture is less than flattering.
Arsenal have struggled to keep pace with the league's leading side for the past seven seasons, despite finishing runners‑up last term. This raises the question: what does Arsenal stand for if they are not title contenders? Is their identity tied to an attractive, attacking style that translates into results, or are they simply a team that creates chances without the conviction to turn them into goals? The statistics underline the problem – out of 60 shots taken so far, Arsenal have scored only twice, leaving them with an expected goals (xG) shortfall of 3.84.
Renée Slegers will undoubtedly have a response. No team should be written off after three fixtures, and the season is still in its infancy.
Yet the patterns emerging from Arsenal's first three outings suggest deeper tactical issues that opponents are already exploiting. When a side sits in a compact block, Arsenal find it difficult to break them down. Maintaining discipline against Arsenal often earns the opposition a point, and a draw is a valuable result for anyone except the Gunners themselves.
Four draws before Christmas were enough to derail Arsenal's title hopes last season, and they cannot afford a repeat of that scenario. The urgency to reverse this trend is palpable, but the question remains: how?
One clear symptom is the waning speed and unpredictability of Arsenal's attack. Mariona Caldentey's careless lay‑off to Alessia Russo, Stina Blackstenius's near‑miss header that barely missed Phallon Tullis‑Joyce, and Chloe Kelly's long‑range attempts all illustrate a lack of cutting edge. These attempts, while technically sound, were tinged with doubt and failed to produce the decisive moments the team needs. The decisive moment arrived only in the final kick of the game, underscoring the need for Arsenal to create quality chances earlier.
This brings us to a series of strategic questions that both Slegers and her players must confront after such a tentative start. Is the midfield balance correct? Georgia Stanway and Mariona Caldentey appear to be vying for the same No.8 role, potentially causing confusion over who should dictate play from deeper positions. Similarly, should Alessia Russo be deployed as a traditional No.10, or does she belong further up the pitch as a forward?
Are the wide players hesitant to take on defenders one‑on‑one? Over the weekend, Lisa Baum and Olivia Smith combined for just one cross and a single successful dribble, and even the cross that Baum delivered to Blackstenius should have resulted in a goal but did not. Rather than exploiting Manchester United's defensive frailties – which are still being ironed out under new manager Eva Olid – Arsenal spent much of the match standing off, appearing overly polite and unwilling to fully engage. With a squad of the talent Arsenal possesses, such restraint seems unnecessary.
Slegers must demand more from her team: sharper creativity from the midfield, better service from the flanks, and a higher conversion rate in front of goal. Every aspect of the final third needs to shift up a gear.
Until that happens, Arsenal are likely to settle for draws that feel more like missed opportunities than achievements. In contrast, Tottenham's Holdt offers a glimpse of what confidence in front of goal looks like.
Since February, only Bunny Shaw (with 12 goals) has outscored her, highlighting Holdt's growing influence. Tottenham's attacking fluidity is fresh and exciting, as demonstrated by a dominant 7‑0 victory over Crystal Palace, where Martin Ho's inventive side scored six goals in a 25‑minute burst. Holdt's hat‑trick in that match showcased a variety of finishes – a well‑executed throw‑in routine, a powerful strike from a loose ball inside the box, and a clinical finish from a quick turnover. Holdt exemplifies a blend of talent and determination, adapting quickly to the league's demands.
She can both score and create, dribbling effectively and distributing the ball with precision. Her performance helped Spurs climb to second place, and the challenge now is to maintain that position. Overall, Arsenal's early season narrative is one of promise marred by inefficiency. The record unbeaten run is impressive, yet the inability to convert chances into goals and the tendency to settle for draws threaten to keep them out of the title race.
For Arsenal to re‑establish themselves as genuine contenders, they must sharpen their attacking intent, clarify midfield roles, and encourage their wingers to take on defenders more aggressively. Only then can they transform the record‑setting unbeaten streak into a championship‑winning campaign.