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 a deeper look at the narratives shaping the women's game. While the article opens with a technical note about using Chrome for a better video experience, the heart of the piece focuses on Arsenal's recent performance and the broader implications for their title aspirations.
Arsenal have just set a new club record by remaining unbeaten for twenty consecutive Women's Super League matches, a milestone that would normally be cause for celebration. However, the achievement feels hollow for manager Renee Slegers after her side slipped up at home, conceding two points to a Manchester United team that has exposed serious frailties early in the campaign, notably allowing a league‑high seven goals in the opening weeks. The Gunners have never been beaten at the Emirates under Slegers, so the expectation was that they would maintain that perfect home record. Yet, in the dying moments of the match, Smilla Holmberg seized a perfectly timed cross from Leah Williamson and headed home a 95th‑minute equaliser, preserving the unbeaten streak but doing little to mask the underlying problems.
The goal itself was technically sound, but the excitement it generated was muted among an Emirates crowd that had just traveled to Crystal Palace the previous weekend for a goalless draw that left fans with a sense of déjà vu. Arsenal appear to be squandering their chances of mounting a genuine title challenge from the very first hurdle, repeating a pattern that has haunted them in recent seasons.
With five points from three games, Arsenal sit sixth in a league that has been expanded from twelve to fourteen teams, meaning a 26‑game season rather than the previous 22. The expansion might offer a sliver of consolation – there are more matches in which points can be recovered – but it also underscores how fragile Arsenal's position is. At this stage, a single draw can feel like a "good point" when the season is viewed in hindsight, but right now it is simply a setback that adds another notch to a growing list of missed opportunities.
For the past seven seasons, Arsenal have struggled to keep pace with the league's eventual champions, even after finishing as runners‑up last term. The question now is: what does Arsenal stand for if not a genuine title contender? Their style, once praised for its attractive, attacking flair, now seems to lack the conviction needed to translate chances into goals. Out of sixty shots taken so far, they have only found the back of the net twice, a glaring under‑performance when measured against an expected goals (xG) figure of 3.84.
Slegers will undoubtedly have a response to such criticism – three games is a tiny sample size, and the season is still in its infancy. Yet the patterns emerging from those early fixtures suggest deeper tactical issues.
Opponents who set up in a compact block find Arsenal struggling to break them down. Maintaining discipline against Arsenal often earns a point, and very rarely more, which means that many teams are content to settle for a draw rather than risk a loss against the Gunners. Four draws before Christmas were enough to derail Arsenal's title bid last season, and they cannot afford a repeat of that scenario. The team’s attacking momentum appears to be waning.
Mariona Caldentey’s pass to Alessia Russo was careless, Stina Blackstenius’ header was on target but saved by Phallon Tullis‑Joyce, and Chloe Kelly’s long‑range effort lacked the necessary precision. These attempts, while legitimate, were tinged with doubt and lacked the clinical edge required at this level. The decisive moment came at the very end of the game, when Arsenal finally produced a moment of quality. This raises several questions for Slegers and her squad: is the midfield balance correct?
Both Georgia Stanway and Caldentey appear to be deployed in similar No 8 roles, potentially creating redundancy. Who should be the deep‑lying playmaker orchestrating attacks? Should Alessia Russo be used as a traditional No 10, or does she belong deeper as a defensive shield?
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 the cross that Baum delivered to Blackstenius should have resulted in a goal but did not. Rather than exploiting Manchester United’s transitional vulnerabilities under new manager Eva Olid, Arsenal spent much of the match standing off, too polite to engage fully. The squad possesses the talent to be more aggressive, and Slegers must demand greater creativity from her midfield, sharper service from the flanks, and more decisive finishing.
Until the attacking unit can operate at a higher gear, Arsenal are likely to settle for disappointing draws. In contrast, Tottenham’s Holdt has emerged as a confident goal scorer, with only Bunny Shaw (12) surpassing her tally since February. Spurs display fluid, exciting attacking play, as evidenced by their 7‑0 demolition of Crystal Palace, where Martin Ho’s side scored six goals in a 25‑minute burst.
Holdt’s hat‑trick showcased a variety of finishes: a well‑executed throw‑in strike, a powerful close‑range finish, and a high‑tempo turnover goal. Her blend of talent and determination highlights how quickly a player can adapt to the league’s demands and become both a creator and a finisher. On her first start for Spurs this season, Holdt gave Ho plenty to consider as his team climbed to second place in the table. The challenge now is to maintain that position.
Arsenal, meanwhile, must reflect on their early-season performances, tighten their tactical approach, and rediscover the attacking verve that once made them a perennial title threat. Only then can they hope to convert their unbeaten streak into genuine championship contention.