Laura Hunter, a columnist for Sky Sports, breaks down the most pressing issues emerging from the second round of the Women's Super League, offering readers a deeper look at the narratives shaping the women's game today. While the article is peppered with reminders to view the accompanying video in Chrome for optimal accessibility, the substance of the piece revolves around Arsenal's recent performance, their historical unbeaten run, and the broader implications for their title ambitions. Arsenal have now etched a club record by going 20 games without defeat in the Women's Super League, a milestone that would normally be celebrated as a sign of consistency and strength. However, for manager Renee Slegers the achievement feels hollow after the Gunners slipped up at home against Manchester United, conceding two points in a match that exposed a range of vulnerabilities.
United, despite a shaky start to the season, managed to score a league‑high seven goals in the opening weeks, highlighting defensive frailties that Arsenal themselves seemed to inherit on the day. At Emirates Stadium, the Gunners have never lost a home game under Slegers, which makes the late drama all the more striking.
In the 95th minute, Smilla Holmberg latched onto a perfectly timed cross from Leah Williamson and forced an equaliser, preserving the unbeaten home record. The goal was technically sound, but the excitement was muted among a crowd that had just traveled to Crystal Palace the previous weekend for a goalless draw, creating a sense of déjà vu across both fixtures. The pattern suggests Arsenal are squandering early opportunities to mount a genuine title challenge.
With five points from three matches, Arsenal sit sixth in an expanded 14‑team league – a shift from the previous 12‑team format that has stretched the season to 26 games. The additional fixtures might offer Slegers some breathing room, as there will inevitably be more chances to pick up points later in the campaign.
Yet, at this stage the setback is clear: Arsenal appear unable to keep pace with the league's leading side, a trend that has persisted for seven seasons despite a runner‑up finish last term. The central question becomes: what does Arsenal stand for if not a realistic title contender?
Their style, once praised for its attractive, attacking flair, now seems to lack the cutting edge needed to convert chances. Out of 60 shots taken so far, they have only found the net twice, an expected‑goals (xG) shortfall of 3.84. Such inefficiency raises doubts about the team's ability to deliver when it matters most.
Slegers will undoubtedly defend her squad, arguing that three games is an insufficient sample size to pass judgment. Nevertheless, the early performances reveal a deeper tactical issue: many opponents have discovered a simple yet effective way to neutralise Arsenal – sit compact, maintain discipline, and force the Gunners into a stalemate.
For most clubs, a draw against Arsenal is a respectable result; for Arsenal themselves, it feels like a missed opportunity. Last season, four draws before Christmas effectively ended any realistic title hopes.
Replicating that pattern would be disastrous, so the team must find a way to break the deadlock quickly. The problem appears to be a waning tempo and unpredictability in attack. Instances such as Mariona Caldentey sending Alessia Russo's lay‑off wide, Stina Blackstenius heading narrowly over Phallon Tullis‑Joyce, and Chloe Kelly's long‑range attempts all illustrate a lack of clinical finishing and a lingering uncertainty in the final third. Strategically, the squad needs to reassess several key roles.
Both Georgia Stanway and Mariona Caldentey are operating as central midfield No. 8s, potentially overlapping responsibilities and diluting creative influence. Who should be the deep‑lying playmaker dictating tempo? Alessia Russo, traditionally a forward, might be better utilised as a No.
10, linking midfield and attack, rather than being deployed as an out‑and‑out striker. The wingers, Lisa Baum and Olivia Smith, produced just one cross and a solitary successful dribble over the weekend, and even the promising delivery from Baum that found Blackstenius failed to result in a goal. Instead of exploiting Manchester United's transitional weaknesses under new manager Eva Olid, Arsenal spent much of the match in a passive stance, seemingly too courteous to engage fully.
Given the talent at their disposal, this cautious approach is hard to justify. Slegers must demand higher standards: sharper decision‑making from the midfield creators, more incisive service from the flanks, and a higher conversion rate in front of goal. Elevating every facet of the attacking third could transform draws into victories. In contrast, Tottenham's Holdt exemplifies confidence and composure in front of goal.
Since February, only Bunny Shaw (with 12 goals) has outscored her, underscoring Holdt's growing reputation as a reliable finisher. Tottenham's fluid attacking play, highlighted by a dominant 7‑0 victory over Crystal Palace where Martin Ho's side netted six goals in a 25‑minute burst, showcases the kind of relentless offense Arsenal need to emulate. Holdt's hat‑trick – a well‑executed throw‑in finish, a instinctive strike from a loose ball, and a clinical finish after a swift turnover – illustrates the blend of talent, determination, and adaptability that defines successful forwards in the league.
Her ability to both create and score, while also contributing to build‑up play, sets a benchmark for Arsenal's attackers. The overarching narrative is clear: Arsenal possess the pedigree and resources to challenge for the title, but they must translate that potential into decisive, goal‑rich performances.
The upcoming fixtures will test Slegers' tactical adjustments and the squad's willingness to adopt a more aggressive, less restrained style. Until they can consistently break down compact defences and improve their finishing efficiency, Arsenal risk being relegated to the role of perpetual runners‑up rather than genuine champions. For fans eager to see Arsenal reclaim their place at the summit, the path forward lies in sharpening the attacking engine, clarifying player roles, and fostering a winning mentality that refuses to settle for anything less than three points. Only then can the Gunners move beyond a record unbeaten run and become true title contenders.