Sky Sports columnist Laura Hunter breaks down the most compelling storylines from the second round of the Women's Super League, drawing readers into the pivotal narratives that shape the women's game today. Arsenal have just set a new club benchmark by going unbeaten for 20 consecutive Women's Super League matches, a record that would normally be a cause for celebration. For manager Renee Slegers, however, the achievement feels hollow after the Gunners slipped two points at home against a Manchester United side that, despite early-season growing pains, managed to concede a league‑high seven goals in the opening weeks.
Historically, Slegers has never seen her side lose at the Emirates, which makes the 95th‑minute equaliser by Smilla Holmberg – a beautifully timed run onto a lofted cross from Leah Williamson – all the more significant. The goal was technically sound, but its brilliance was almost lost on a crowd that seemed more preoccupied with the déjà vu of a goalless draw at Crystal Palace the previous weekend. That sense of repetition has left many Arsenal supporters wondering whether the team is squandering its chance to mount a genuine title challenge from the very first hurdle.
With five points from three fixtures, Arsenal sit sixth in a league that has expanded from twelve to fourteen clubs, extending the season to 26 games. The extra fixtures might provide a few more opportunities to recover, but they also mean that every slip can have a larger impact on the final standings. At this stage, the draw can be framed as a "good point" – a modest consolation in a campaign that still feels very much in its infancy.
Nevertheless, the reality on the pitch suggests a deeper issue. Arsenal have struggled to keep pace with the league's top‑performing teams over the past seven seasons, despite finishing runners‑up last term.
Their current output – two goals from 60 attempts, an expected‑goals (xG) shortfall of 3.84 – raises uncomfortable questions about their attacking efficiency. Are they merely a side that threatens to score, or do they lack the conviction needed to turn chances into goals?
Slegers will undoubtedly have a rebuttal ready; three games is a tiny sample size, and the season has barely crossed the halfway point of its opening month. Yet the pattern emerging from Arsenal's first three outings points to a tactical rigidity that opponents are exploiting. When teams sit compactly and maintain discipline, Arsenal find it difficult to break them down, often settling for a point rather than pushing for a win. Four draws before Christmas were enough to derail Arsenal's title hopes last season, and the club cannot afford a repeat.
The attacking fluidity that once defined the Gunners appears to be waning. Mariona Caldentey's errant lay‑off to Alessia Russo, Stina Blackstenius's near‑miss header against Phallon Tullis‑Joyce, and Chloe Kelly's speculative long‑range effort all illustrate a collective hesitation in the final third.
The managerial staff must now ask tough questions. Is the midfield balance correct? Georgia Stanway and Mariona Caldentey are both deployed as central No. 8s, potentially overlapping responsibilities and diluting creative influence.
Who should be the deep‑lying playmaker? Should Alessia Russo operate as a traditional No.
10, or is she better suited to a more defensive role? Are the wide players, such as Lisa Baum and Olivia Smith, too cautious to take on one‑on‑one battles?
Over the weekend they managed only a single cross and a solitary successful dribble, and even the promising delivery from Baum that found Blackstenius failed to produce a goal. Instead of targeting Manchester United's weaknesses, Arsenal spent much of the match standing off, almost too polite to engage fully. With a squad of this calibre, such restraint feels misplaced. Slegers must demand higher standards: sharper decision‑making from the playmakers, more incisive service from the flanks, and a greater urgency in finishing.
The entire attacking unit needs to shift into a higher gear if Arsenal are to avoid the pattern of disappointing draws. In contrast, Tottenham's Holdt appears to be flourishing. Since February, only Bunny Shaw has matched her eight goals, and Holdt's fluid attacking style has injected fresh excitement into the league.
Tottenham's 7‑0 demolition of Crystal Palace, highlighted by a six‑goal burst in just 25 minutes, showcased the impact of an inventive side under Eva Olid. Holdt's hat‑trick – a composed finish from a throw‑in, a powerful strike from a loose ball, and a clinical finish after a turnover – epitomised her blend of talent, determination, and adaptability. Her ability to both score and create makes her a pivotal figure as Spurs push to maintain their second‑place position.
The broader narrative emerging from the early weeks of the Women's Super League is one of contrasting fortunes. While Arsenal grapple with questions of identity, tactical flexibility, and finishing efficiency, other clubs are seizing momentum and redefining the competitive landscape. For Arsenal, the path forward will require introspection, tactical adjustments, and a renewed commitment to an attacking philosophy that not only looks attractive but also delivers results. Only then can they truly claim to be title contenders rather than perpetual runners‑up.