Laura Hunter, a columnist for Sky Sports, breaks down the most compelling narratives emerging from the second round of the Women's Super League, offering readers a deeper look at the issues shaping the women's game. Arsenal have just set a new club benchmark by going 20 matches unbeaten in the league, a record that would normally be celebrated. Instead, manager Renee Slegers left the Emirates feeling frustrated after a home draw against Manchester United, a side that has exposed a surprising number of frailties early in the campaign, conceding a league‑high seven goals in just a handful of games. Arsenal have not lost at the Emirates under Slegers, so it was almost inevitable that the equaliser would come from a well‑timed cross.
Smilla Holmberg met Leah Williamson’s soaring delivery to level the score in the 95th minute, preserving the club’s unbeaten home record. While the goal was technically sound, the Emirates crowd barely reacted, perhaps still reeling from a goalless draw at Crystal Palace the previous weekend. The similarity of the two matches left fans with a sense of déjà vu, and many wondered whether Arsenal were squandering their chance to mount a serious title challenge right from the outset. Five points from three fixtures currently places Arsenal in sixth position in a league that has been expanded to 14 teams, up from the previous 12.
The enlargement of the competition does give Slegers a little breathing room; a 26‑match season will inevitably produce a few hidden opportunities for points, and what looks like a setback now could later be labelled a "good point" when the season is viewed in full. For the moment, however, the draw is best described as a stumble – another reminder that Arsenal have struggled to keep pace with the league’s leading side over the past seven seasons, despite finishing runners‑up last term. So, what does Arsenal stand for if not a genuine title contender?
Is the club merely a collection of attacking talent that fails to convert chances, or does it lack the conviction needed to see those chances through? The statistics are stark: out of 60 shots taken this season, Arsenal have scored only twice, leaving them with an expected‑goals (xG) shortfall of 3.84. Slegers will undoubtedly have a response – three games is a small sample size, and the season is only just beginning. Yet the pattern emerging from Arsenal’s early outings points to a deeper tactical issue that opponents have quickly identified.
Opponents who set up in a compact block find Arsenal’s attack stifled. Maintaining discipline against the Gunners often earns a team a point, and for most clubs that point is more valuable than a win against Arsenal, which has become a difficult opponent to break down.
Four draws before Christmas were enough to derail Arsenal’s title bid last season, and repeating that trend would be disastrous. The team needs to rediscover the speed and unpredictability that once defined its forward play. Recent matches have shown a worrying lack of sharpness: Mariona Caldentey’s pass to Alessia Russo was wayward, Stina Blackstenius’ header was well‑timed but saved by Phallon Tullis‑Joyce, and Chloe Kelly’s long‑range effort lacked the necessary precision. These attempts, while legitimate, were tinged with hesitation.
The final blow came in the dying moments of the United game, when Arsenal managed to scrape a point from a last‑minute equaliser. This outcome raises several questions for Slegers and her squad. Is the midfield balance correct?
Georgia Stanway and Mariona Caldentey appear to be competing for the same No 8 role, leaving the team without a clear deep‑lying playmaker. Alessia Russo, traditionally a forward, is often deployed in a No 10 position – should she be positioned higher up the pitch to exploit her goal‑scoring instincts? The wingers also seemed reluctant to take on defenders one‑on‑one; Lisa Baum and Olivia Smith combined for just one cross and a single successful dribble over the weekend, and Baum’s delivery to Blackstenius, though precise, did not result in a goal. Instead of exploiting Manchester United’s transitional weaknesses under new coach Eva Olid, Arsenal spent much of the match in a passive stance, almost too courteous to press aggressively.
With a squad of this caliber, such restraint is hard to justify. Slegers must demand more creativity from her midfield architects, better service from the flanks, and a higher conversion rate in the final third. Until the team can raise its intensity and finish more efficiently, draws will remain the most realistic expectation. By contrast, Tottenham’s Holdt exemplifies confidence in front of goal.
Since February, only Bunny Shaw has scored more frequently, with Holdt finding the net eight times. Spurs’ attacking fluidity is evident, as demonstrated by a dominant 7‑0 victory over Crystal Palace, where Martin Ho’s side netted six goals in a 25‑minute burst. Holdt’s hat‑trick showcased a variety of finishes – a well‑executed throw‑in, a powerful strike from a loose ball inside the box, and a clinical finish from a quick turnover.
Her blend of talent, determination, and adaptability makes her a dual threat as both scorer and creator, and her impact on Spurs’ rise to second place in the table highlights the difference that confidence and clear tactical roles can make. In summary, Arsenal’s early season performance suggests a team caught between ambition and execution.
While the unbeaten home record is commendable, the lack of cutting edge in attack and the tactical ambiguity in midfield threaten to relegate the Gunners to the role of perpetual runner‑up. To shift the narrative, Slegers must clarify player responsibilities, encourage more aggressive wing play, and sharpen finishing. Only then can Arsenal transform draws into victories and re‑establish themselves as genuine contenders for the Women’s Super League title.