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 issues shaping the women's game today. Arsenal have just set a new club benchmark by going 20 matches unbeaten in the WSL, the longest run in the team's history. Yet that achievement offers little consolation to manager Renée Slegers after her side slipped up at the Emirates, conceding two points at home to a Manchester United outfit that has already exposed a number of frailties early in the campaign, notably by allowing a league‑high seven goals in just a handful of games. Historically, Slegers' Arsenal have never been beaten on their own turf, so it was almost inevitable that a late surge would come from Smilla Holmberg, who latched onto a beautifully lofted cross from captain Leah Williamson and headed home a 95th‑minute equaliser.
The strike was technically sound, but its brilliance was almost lost on an Emirates crowd that seemed more preoccupied with the déjà vu of the previous weekend’s goalless draw at Crystal Palace. That sense of repetition has left many supporters questioning whether the Gunners are squandering their chance to mount a genuine title challenge from the very first hurdle – again.
Five points from three fixtures currently leaves Arsenal sitting sixth in a league that has expanded from twelve to fourteen clubs, stretching the season to 26 games. The expansion may provide a few extra breathing rooms for Slegers, but it also means there are more opportunities for rivals to close the gap. In a marathon of this length, a single point can later be described as a "good point" if it proves decisive, yet at this stage it is best seen as a setback – another reminder that Arsenal have struggled to keep pace with the league's eventual champions over the past seven seasons, despite a runner‑up finish last term. So what does Arsenal stand for if not a title‑contending side?
Is the club merely a collection of attacking talent that fails to translate chances into goals? The numbers suggest a worrying trend: out of 60 attempts so far, the Gunners have found the net only twice, an expected goals (xG) shortfall of 3.84. Slegers will undoubtedly have a rebuttal ready; three games is a tiny sample and it would be premature to write the team off. Nevertheless, the first three outings have highlighted a deeper tactical issue.
Opponents have discovered a simple but effective formula: sit in a compact block and force Arsenal to work harder for space. When teams remain disciplined, they often earn a point – a result that is valuable for anyone other than Arsenal, who need wins to stay in the title race. Four draws before Christmas were enough to derail Arsenal's title hopes last season, and the club cannot afford a repeat. The urgency to break this pattern is palpable, but the solution is not straightforward.
Arsenal's attacking fluidity appears to be diminishing. Mariona Caldentey's pass to Alessia Russo was overly generous, Stina Blackstenius' header was on target but saved by Phallon Tullis‑Joyce, and Chloe Kelly's long‑range effort was merely a speculative strike. All were legitimate attempts, yet each carried an undercurrent of doubt.
The decisive moment arrived only in the final seconds of the Manchester United match, when Holmberg's late equaliser salvaged a point. This raises questions for Slegers and her squad about the balance of the team. Are Georgia Stanway and Mariona Caldentey overlapping in the same midfield role, both acting as a number‑8?
Who should be dictating play from deeper positions? Is Alessia Russo being utilised correctly as a number‑10, or should she be positioned further up the pitch to exploit her goal‑scoring instincts? Are the wide players hesitant to take on defenders one‑on‑one? In the weekend fixture, Lisa Baum and Olivia Smith combined for just one cross and a single successful dribble, and the cross that did reach Blackstenius should have resulted in a goal but did not.
Rather than exploiting Manchester United's defensive weaknesses as they adapt to Eva Olid's new system, Arsenal spent much of the game standing off, too polite to engage fully. A squad of this calibre should be more assertive. Slegers must demand greater precision from her playmakers, more incisive service from the flanks, and sharper finishing in the final third. Until the team can raise its gear across all attacking phases, the most they can expect are disappointing draws.
In contrast, Tottenham's forward Holdt appears to be thriving. Since February, only Bunny Shaw has scored more goals than the English international, who has already netted eight.
Tottenham's attacking play feels fresh and dynamic; after a tight first half against Crystal Palace, Martin Ho's side unleashed a ferocious 7‑0 onslaught, scoring six goals in a 25‑minute burst. Holdt's hat‑trick epitomised the team's lethal intent – a composed throw‑in finish, a powerful strike from a loose ball inside the box, and a clinical finish following a swift turnover. Her blend of talent, determination, and adaptability has allowed her to meet the league's demands faster than most peers.
On her first start for Spurs this season, Holdt gave Ho plenty to contemplate as his side climbed to second place. The challenge now is to maintain that momentum. Overall, Arsenal must confront the reality that their current trajectory is insufficient for a serious title bid. The club needs to refine its tactical approach, encourage its creative players to take more risks, and ensure that its forwards receive the quality chances they deserve.
Only by addressing these issues can the Gunners hope to convert their record unbeaten run into tangible success and re‑establish themselves as genuine contenders for the Women's Super League crown.