Sky Sports columnist Laura Hunter breaks down the most pressing issues emerging from the second round of the Women's Super League, drawing attention to the narratives that shape the women's game today. The analysis begins with a stark statistic: Arsenal have just set a new club record by going unbeaten for twenty consecutive league matches.
While that milestone sounds impressive, it offers little consolation to manager Renee Slegers after her side slipped up at home against Manchester United, conceding two points and allowing the opposition to rack up a league‑high seven goals in the opening weeks of the campaign. Arsenal have never been beaten at the Emirates under Slegers, so the expectation was that they would at least preserve that perfect home record. The match seemed to confirm that belief when Smilla Holmberg latched onto a perfectly timed, lofted cross from captain Leah Williamson and headed home a dramatic 95th‑minute equaliser. The goal was technically sound and delivered a moment of euphoria for the travelling fans.
Yet, the quality of the strike was quickly eclipsed by the broader narrative of a crowd that had just endured a goalless stalemate at Crystal Palace the previous weekend – a feeling of déjà vu that has begun to haunt the Gunners. With only five points from three games, Arsenal find themselves sitting sixth in a league that has been expanded from twelve to fourteen clubs, stretching the season to twenty‑six fixtures.
The enlargement of the competition does provide a few extra breathing rooms, but it also means there are more opportunities for rivals to close the gap. In the short term, this draw could be labelled a "good point" if the team manages to turn the tide later in the season, but for now it is best described as a setback – another reminder that Arsenal have struggled to keep pace with the league's elite over the past seven years, despite a runner‑up finish last term. So what does Arsenal represent if not genuine title contenders?
Are they a side that merely threatens to score without the conviction needed to finish chances? The numbers tell a troubling story: from sixty shots taken so far, the Gunners have found the back of the net only twice, an expected‑goals (xG) shortfall of 3.84. Slegers will undoubtedly have a rebuttal ready – three games is an insufficient sample size to write off a team – yet the patterns emerging are worrying.
Opponents have discovered a tactical formula that works against them: sit compact, stay disciplined, and force Arsenal into a low‑scoring stalemate. For every team besides Arsenal, a draw against the Gunners is a valuable point; for Arsenal, it is a missed opportunity. Last season, four draws before Christmas effectively ended any realistic title hopes.
Repeating that scenario would be disastrous, and the club cannot afford to let it happen again. The solution, however, is not simple.
Arsenal's attacking fluidity appears to be diminishing. Mariona Caldentey's careless lay‑off to Alessia Russo, Stina Blackstenius's point‑blank header that was comfortably saved by Phallon Tullis‑Joyce, and Chloe Kelly's speculative long‑range effort all illustrate a loss of cutting edge. The team saved its best moment for the final whistle, but even that came too late to change the outcome. A deeper tactical question emerges: is the balance of the midfield correct?
Both Georgia Stanway and Mariona Caldentey are being deployed in similar No.8 roles, potentially overlapping responsibilities and diluting influence. Who should be the deep‑lying playmaker dictating tempo? Moreover, Alessia Russo, traditionally a forward, is being used as a No.10.
Should she be positioned higher up the pitch, perhaps as the last line of attack, rather than drifting between the lines? The wingers also appear tentative; Lisa Baum and Olivia Smith combined for just one cross and a solitary successful dribble over the weekend. Baum's delivery to Blackstenius was of sufficient quality to merit a goal, yet it was not converted.
Instead of exploiting Manchester United's defensive frailties as they adapt to Eva Olid's new system, Arsenal spent much of the match standing off, hesitant to engage fully. This cautious approach is puzzling given the talent at the club's disposal. Slegers must demand more: sharper decision‑making from the creative midfielders, better service from the flanks, and a higher conversion rate in the final third. Until those elements improve, Arsenal are likely to settle for another disappointing draw.
In contrast, Tottenham's Holdt provides a case study in confidence and clinical finishing. Since February, only Bunny Shaw has outscored her, with eight goals to Holdt's twelve. Tottenham's attacking play is fluid and exciting, as demonstrated when Crystal Palace held out for an entire half before succumbing to a 7‑0 thrashing at the hands of Martin Ho's inventive side.
Holdt's hat‑trick in that game showcased her versatility: a well‑executed throw‑in finish, a powerful strike from a loose ball inside the box, and a composed finish after a quick turnover. Her blend of talent, determination, and adaptability makes her a model for what Arsenal's forwards could aspire to. Holdt's impact on her team's rise to second place in the table underscores the importance of a clear attacking identity. For Arsenal, the challenge now is to rediscover that identity, to sharpen the edges of their attack, and to translate the volume of attempts into tangible goals.
If they can do that, the unbeaten streak will become a foundation for a genuine title challenge rather than a hollow record. In summary, Arsenal's current predicament is a mix of statistical underperformance, tactical indecision, and a lack of killer instinct in front of goal.
The club's record unbeaten run is impressive, but without a more decisive attacking approach, it risks being a footnote rather than a stepping stone toward championship glory. The next fixtures will be critical; the team must convert their chances, refine their midfield roles, and unleash the full potential of players like Russo, Stanway, and Caldentey. Only then can they shed the label of "title hopefuls without substance" and truly contend for the Women's Super League crown.