Sky Sports columnist Laura Hunter breaks down the most pressing issues 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. Arsenal have just set a new club benchmark by going unbeaten for twenty consecutive Women's Super League fixtures. While that statistic looks impressive on paper, it offers little solace to manager Renée Slegers after her side slipped up at home against Manchester United, conceding two points and allowing the opposition to register a league‑high seven goals in the opening weeks of the campaign.
At the Emirates, the Gunners have never been beaten on their own turf under Slegers, so it was almost inevitable that a late surge would produce a dramatic moment. In the 95th minute, Smilla Holmberg latched onto a perfectly floated cross from Leah Williamson and tucked the ball home to earn a last‑minute equaliser and preserve the home‑undefeated record. The strike was technically sound, but the quality of the play was almost invisible against the backdrop of an expectant crowd that had just endured a goalless draw at Crystal Palace the previous weekend.
The similarity between the two fixtures left many supporters with a strange sense of déjà vu, as if the season were repeating itself before it had truly begun. Arsenal now sit with five points from three games, a tally that places them only sixth in a league that has been expanded from twelve to fourteen clubs. The extra two teams may provide Slegers with a few more hiding places over the course of a 26‑match schedule, and what looks like a setback today could be re‑labelled a "good point" once the season reaches its midpoint. Nonetheless, for the moment it is a clear indication that the Gunners are struggling to keep pace with the league's eventual champions.
Over the past seven seasons there has been scant evidence to suggest Arsenal can consistently challenge for the title, despite finishing runners‑up last term. So what does Arsenal represent if not a genuine title contender?
Are they a side that merely threatens with occasional chances but lacks the conviction to turn those chances into goals? The numbers speak loudly: out of sixty attempts so far, the Gunners have only found the net twice, an expected‑goals (xG) shortfall of 3.84. Slegers certainly has the right to defend her squad – three games is a minuscule sample size, and the season is only just beyond the halfway point of the pre‑season break.
Yet the pattern emerging from those early outings points to a deeper tactical issue that opponents have already begun to exploit. When a team sits compactly in front of Arsenal, breaking them down becomes a formidable task. Maintaining discipline against the Gunners often yields a point, and a draw is a valuable result for any side other than Arsenal themselves.
Four draws before Christmas were enough to derail Arsenal's title hopes last season; repeating that mistake would be disastrous. The team must find a way to suppress the tendency to settle for a stalemate. The attacking flair that once characterised Arsenal appears to be waning. Mariona Caldentey’s mis‑timed pass to Alessia Russo was careless, Stina Blackstenius’ header was on target but failed to beat goalkeeper Phallon Tullis‑Joyce, and Chloe Kelly’s long‑range effort lacked the necessary precision.
All were legitimate attempts, yet each was tinged with a lingering doubt that undermined their effectiveness. The decisive moment arrived only in the final seconds of the match, highlighting a broader problem of timing and urgency.
Questions now arise for both Slegers and her players: Is the balance of the midfield correct? Georgia Stanway and Mariona Caldentey appear to be performing overlapping roles as the primary No.8, creating confusion about who should dictate play from deeper positions.
Should Alessia Russo be deployed as a true No.10, or is she better suited to a more defensive role? Are the wide players hesitant to take on one‑on‑one battles? Over the weekend, Lisa Baum and Olivia Smith combined for just one cross and a single successful dribble, and even the delivery that did reach Blackstenius should have produced a goal. Rather than exploiting Manchester United's defensive frailties as they adapt to Eva Olid’s new system, Arsenal spent much of the game standing back, overly polite, and reluctant to fully engage.
With a squad of this calibre, such restraint feels misplaced. Slegers must demand more: sharper creativity from the midfield, better service from the flanks, and greater composure in front of goal.
Every facet of the final third needs to shift into a higher gear; until that happens, Arsenal will continue to settle for draws that feel more like a disappointment than a respectable result. In contrast, Tottenham’s Holdt appears to be thriving. Since February, only Bunny Shaw has matched her eight league goals, and Holdt’s fluid attacking style is both fresh and exhilarating.
When Crystal Palace held out for a full half against Martin Ho’s inventive side, the Gunners eventually broke through with a 7‑0 demolition, scoring six goals in a blistering 25‑minute spell. Holdt’s hat‑trick showcased three distinct types of finish: a well‑executed throw‑in routine, a instinctive strike from a loose ball in the box, and a powerful shot following a quick turnover. Her blend of talent and determination has allowed her to adapt to the league’s demands faster than most, serving as both a scorer and a creator who can dribble, distribute, and finish with equal proficiency.
On her first start for Spurs this season, Holdt gave Ho plenty to think about as his side climbed to second place in the table. The challenge now is to maintain that momentum.
Overall, Arsenal’s early season narrative is one of promise marred by inconsistency. The unbeaten run remains a record, but the inability to convert chances into goals and the tendency to settle for draws could jeopardise any realistic title ambitions. For Slegers and her squad, the task ahead is clear: inject urgency, refine tactical balance, and unleash the attacking potential that once made Arsenal a feared force in women’s football.