Sky Sports columnist Laura Hunter breaks down the major talking points from the second round of the Women's Super League, offering readers a deeper look at the narratives shaping the women's game. The piece opens with a reminder to view the video player in Chrome for the best experience.
Arsenal have just set a new club record, going 20 matches unbeaten in the Women's Super League. While the streak is impressive, it offered little consolation to manager Renee Slegers after her side slipped up at home against Manchester United, conceding two points and allowing the opposition to score a league‑high seven goals in the opening weeks of the campaign. Historically, Slegers’ Arsenal have never been beaten on their own turf, so it was almost inevitable that a late drama would unfold.
In the 95th minute, Smilla Holmberg latched onto a perfectly timed cross from Leah Williamson and headed home to force a draw, preserving the unbeaten home record. The goal was technically sound, but the quality of the strike was almost lost on the Emirates crowd, many of whom had just travelled to Crystal Palace the previous weekend for a goalless draw that left both fixtures with a strange sense of déjà vu. The implication is clear: Arsenal seem to be squandering their chances of mounting a genuine title challenge right from the first hurdle, and this is a pattern that is beginning to repeat itself.
Five points from three games currently leaves Arsenal sitting sixth in a league that has been expanded from twelve to fourteen teams, stretching the season to 26 matches. The expansion may provide a small amount of comfort – there are more games in which points can be salvaged – but it also means the margin for error is slimmer. A single slip now can feel like a major setback, and many fans will likely refer to this draw as a "good point" only in hindsight if the season ends favorably.
In the broader context, the draw can be framed as another hurdle for a side that has struggled to keep pace with the league's eventual champions over the past seven seasons. Despite finishing runners‑up last term, Arsenal have shown little evidence of closing the gap with the team that ultimately claims the trophy each year. This raises the fundamental question: what does Arsenal stand for if not a genuine title contender? Is the club merely a collection of attacking talent that fails to translate chances into goals?
The statistics support the criticism: out of 60 attempts so far, Arsenal have found the net only twice, resulting in an expected‑goals (xG) shortfall of 3.84. Slegers will undoubtedly have a rebuttal ready. No team should be judged after just three fixtures, and the season is still in its infancy. Yet the early matches have exposed a deeper tactical issue that opponents seem to have exploited.
When teams sit in a compact block, Arsenal struggle to break them down. Maintaining discipline against the Gunners often earns the opposition a point – a result that is valuable for every side except Arsenal themselves.
Four draws before Christmas were enough to effectively end last season's title hopes, and the club cannot afford a repeat of that scenario. The attacking fluidity that once defined Arsenal appears to be waning. Mariona Caldentey sent a careless lay‑off to Alessia Russo, Stina Blackstenius headed directly at Phallon Tullis‑Joyce, and Chloe Kelly attempted a long‑range effort – all legitimate attempts, yet each was tinged with doubt. The team saved its best moment for the final whistle, but the overall performance left many questions unanswered.
A tactical analysis suggests that the balance in midfield may be off. Both Georgia Stanway and Mariona Caldentey are operating as primary No. 8s, potentially overlapping duties and reducing the clarity of who should dictate play from deeper positions. Russo, traditionally a No.
10, often drifted too far forward, leaving a void in the final third. The wingers, Lisa Baum and Olivia Smith, combined for just one cross and a single successful dribble over the weekend, and even the promising delivery from Baum to Blackstenius failed to produce a goal. Rather than exploiting Manchester United's defensive frailties as they adapt to Eva Olid’s new system, Arsenal spent much of the match standing off, too polite to fully engage.
Given the talent at their disposal, such restraint is hard to justify. Slegers must demand more: sharper creativity from the playmakers, better service from the flanks, and more clinical finishing. Every element of the attacking phase needs to shift into a higher gear; until that happens, the Gunners are likely to settle for draws that feel more like disappointments than achievements.
In contrast, Tottenham’s Holdt offers a glimpse of what a confident striker looks like. Since February, only Bunny Shaw has outscored her, with eight goals to Holdt’s twelve. Spurs’ attacking fluidity is fresh and exciting, as demonstrated by Martin Ho’s side, which demolished Crystal Palace 7‑0 after a tight first half, scoring six goals in a 25‑minute burst. Holdt’s hat‑trick – a composed finish from a throw‑in routine, a powerful strike from a loose ball inside the box, and a clinical finish after a quick turnover – showcased her blend of talent, determination, and adaptability to the league’s demands.
While Arsenal wrestle with consistency, Tottenham’s forward has already made a significant impact, helping Ho’s team climb to second place in the table. The challenge now is maintaining that momentum. Overall, Arsenal’s early season narrative is one of unfulfilled potential.
The club boasts a record unbeaten run, a talented roster, and a storied history, yet the inability to convert chances into goals and to break down organized defenses threatens their title aspirations. If the team can recalibrate its midfield balance, sharpen its finishing, and unleash the attacking instincts that once made them a feared force, they may yet turn the tide. Until then, each draw feels like a missed opportunity, and the question remains: what will Arsenal truly represent this season – a contender, a participant, or something in between?