Sky Sports columnist Laura Hunter dissects the headline moments 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 broken their own record for the longest unbeaten run in the league, stretching to twenty matches. While that statistic looks impressive on paper, it offers little solace to coach Renee Slegers after her side slipped up at home against Manchester United, a team that has exposed surprising frailties in the opening weeks and already conceded a league‑high seven goals.
The Gunners have not lost a home game under Slegers, so it was expected that a late surge would preserve that perfect record. Indeed, Smilla Holmberg latched onto a beautifully floated cross from Leah Williamson and headed home a 95th‑minute equaliser, a strike that was technically sound and well‑timed.
Yet the quality of the goal was almost lost on the expectant Emirates crowd, many of whom had just travelled to Crystal Palace the previous weekend to witness a goalless draw that left both fixtures with a strange sense of déjà vu. Arsenal appear to be squandering their chances of mounting a serious title challenge right from the first hurdle – again. Five points from three games only places them sixth in a league that has expanded from twelve to fourteen clubs, stretching the season to twenty‑six matches.
The expansion may provide a small comfort to Slegers, as there will inevitably be more opportunities to claw back points over a longer campaign. What looks like a ‘good point’ now could be re‑interpreted as a stepping stone later in the season. For the moment, however, the draw must be framed as a setback – another nail in the coffin of Arsenal’s long‑standing struggle to keep pace with the league’s eventual champions. Over the past seven seasons, the Gunners have consistently fallen short, despite finishing runners‑up last term.
So what are Arsenal, if not genuine title contenders? What do they stand for if not a blend of attractive football and tangible results? At present they seem a side that threatens to score but lacks the conviction to finish. Out of sixty attempts they have only found the net twice, an expected‑goals (xG) shortfall of 3.84, highlighting a clear inefficiency in front of goal.
Slegers will undoubtedly have a rebuttal ready. No team should be dismissed after three games; the season is barely past its midpoint.
Yet Arsenal’s early outings have exposed a deeper issue that goes beyond a simple slump. Opponents have discovered a tactical weapon against them: when a compact block is set up, Arsenal struggle to break it down. Maintaining discipline against the Gunners often earns a point, and very rarely more – a draw that benefits every team except Arsenal themselves.
Four draws before Christmas were enough to effectively end last year’s title hopes, and the club cannot afford a repeat. The urgency to reverse this trend must be immediate. The problem lies in the waning speed and unpredictability of Arsenal’s attack. Mariona Caldentey’s careless lay‑off to Alessia Russo, Stina Blackstenius’s close‑range header that barely missed Phallon Tullis‑Joyce, and Chloe Kelly’s long‑range attempts all illustrate a collective hesitation and a lack of cutting edge.
Their best moment arrived only with the final whistle, a reminder that the team’s creative spark is dimming at crucial moments. Questions now loom over both Slegers and her players after such a passive start.
Is the midfield balance correct? Both Georgia Stanway and Mariona Caldentey appear to be deployed in similar No 8 roles, potentially crowding each other and diluting influence from deep.
Who should be the true orchestrator? Is Alessia Russo being used in the optimal position as a No 10, or would she be more effective higher up the pitch, perhaps even as a second striker? Are the wide players too timid to take on one‑on‑one duels?
Over the weekend, Lisa Baum and Olivia Smith combined for just one cross and a single successful dribble, and even the delivery Baum produced for Blackstenius should have resulted in a goal but did not. Rather than exploiting Manchester United’s defensive weaknesses as they adapt to Eva Olid’s new system, Arsenal spent much of the match standing off, too polite to fully engage.
A squad of this calibre should not be content with restraint. Slegers must demand greater refinement from her playmakers, sharper service from the flanks, and more clinical finishing. Every facet of the final third can be accelerated a few gears; until then, Arsenal will continue to settle for disappointing draws. In contrast, Tottenham’s Holdt has not suffered a confidence crisis in front of goal.
Since February, only Bunny Shaw (with twelve goals) has outscored her, underscoring Holdt’s growing influence. Spurs’ attacking fluidity feels fresh and exciting. Crystal Palace managed to hold out for a full half before succumbing to Martin Ho’s inventive side, which unleashed a 7‑0 demolition, netting six goals in a ruthless 25‑minute burst.
Holdt’s hat‑trick set the tone for that victory: a neatly executed throw‑in finish, an instinctive strike from a loose ball inside the box, and a powerful finish following a high turnover. To my eye, she embodies a perfect blend of talent and determination, adapting to the league’s demands faster than most. She can both score and create, carrying the ball as adeptly as she distributes it.
On her first Spurs start of the season, she gave Ho plenty to think about as his side climbed to second place in the table. The challenge now is to maintain that position. Overall, Arsenal’s early season narrative is one of unfulfilled potential.
Their record unbeaten run masks underlying issues: a lack of cutting‑edge finishing, tactical rigidity, and an over‑reliance on players occupying overlapping roles. If Slegers can recalibrate the midfield structure, give Russo a clearer attacking mandate, and encourage her wingers to take on defenders one‑on‑one, the Gunners could rediscover the dynamism that once made them genuine title threats. Until such adjustments are made, the club risks being remembered not for championship glory but for a series of missed opportunities and draws that keep them perpetually on the fringe of the title race.