Sky Sports columnist Laura Hunter 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. Arsenal have just set a new club benchmark by going 20 matches unbeaten in the WSL – the longest run in the club’s history. Yet that achievement offered little consolation to manager Renee Slegers after her side slipped up at the Emirates, dropping two points to a Manchester United team that has already shown surprising frailties early in the campaign, conceding a league‑high seven goals. The Gunners have never been beaten at home under Slegers, so it was only natural that Smilla Holmberg would seize a perfectly floated cross from Leah Williamson and force a 95th‑minute equaliser, preserving the home‑record.
The goal was technically sound, but its brilliance was almost lost on an Emirates crowd that seemed more pre‑occupied with the memory of a goalless draw at Crystal Palace the weekend before. The similarity between the two fixtures left many fans with a sense of déjà vu and a growing worry that Arsenal are squandering their chances of a genuine title push right from the outset.
Five points from three games currently places Arsenal in sixth place in a league that has been expanded to 14 clubs, up from the previous 12. The enlargement of the schedule may provide a thin silver lining – there are now more matches, more opportunities to claw back points, and perhaps a few more "good points" to be cherished as the season stretches to 26 games.
Still, at this stage the setback feels like a clear warning sign, another reminder that Arsenal have struggled to keep pace with the league’s best side in any given year. Over the past seven seasons there has been little evidence to suggest a change, even after a second‑place finish last term. So what does Arsenal represent if not title contenders?
What identity do they embody if not a blend of attractive football and consistent results? Their attacking statistics tell a troubling story: out of 60 attempts they have only scored twice, leaving them with an expected‑goals (xG) shortfall of 3.84. This inefficiency points to a deeper problem than a few early‑season hiccups. Slegers will undoubtedly have a rebuttal ready – it is far too early to write off a team after just three games, and the season is barely past the halfway point of its opening month.
Nevertheless, the pattern emerging from those three outings hints at a tactical issue that opponents have already begun to exploit. When teams sit in a compact block and stay disciplined, Arsenal find it difficult to break them down. For most clubs, a draw against the Gunners is a valuable point; for Arsenal, it is a missed opportunity that could prove costly as the season progresses.
Four draws before Christmas were enough to derail Arsenal’s title aspirations last year, and they cannot afford a repeat. The urgency to reverse this trend must be felt immediately. One area of concern is the waning speed and unpredictability of their attack. Mariona Caldentey’s careless lay‑off to Alessia Russo, Stina Blackstenius’ header that barely missed Phallon Tullis‑Joyce, and Chloe Kelly’s long‑range attempts all illustrate a lack of cutting edge and confidence in the final third.
The most telling moment came at the very end of the United match, when Arsenal’s best chance arrived only on the final kick. Such a scenario raises questions for both Slegers and her players: is the tactical balance correct? Georgia Stanway and Mariona Caldentey appear to be performing overlapping roles in midfield, both acting as the primary number 8. Who should be dictating the tempo from deep?
Is Alessia Russo being used in the most effective position as a traditional number 10, or would she be better deployed in a deeper, more defensive role? Are the wide players hesitant to take on one‑on‑one battles?
Over the weekend, Lisa Baum and Olivia Smith combined for just one cross and one successful dribble, and even the cross that Baum delivered to Blackstenius should have resulted in a goal but did not. Rather than targeting Manchester United’s weaknesses and imposing their own style, Arsenal spent much of the game in a passive, overly polite stance, allowing United to dictate the rhythm. Given the talent at Arsenal’s disposal, such restraint feels misplaced.
Slegers must demand more from her squad – sharper creativity from the playmakers, more incisive service from the flanks, and a higher conversion rate in front of goal. Every facet of the attacking third needs to shift into a higher gear; until that happens, the Gunners are likely to settle for disappointing draws.
In contrast, Tottenham’s forward Holdt has shown no signs of a confidence crisis. Since February, only Bunny Shaw (with 12 goals) has outscored her. Holdt’s fluid attacking play has been a breath of fresh air, and her hat‑trick in a 7‑0 demolition of Crystal Palace highlighted her versatility – a composed finish from a rehearsed throw‑in routine, a powerful strike from a loose ball in the box, and a clinical finish after a swift turnover.
Her blend of talent and determination has allowed her to adapt quickly to the league’s demands, proving she can both score and create, and she helped Spurs climb to second place in the table. The lesson for Arsenal is clear: they must find a way to unlock their attacking potential, tighten their midfield roles, and stop relying on late‑stage miracles. With a longer season ahead, there is still time to correct course, but the margin for error is shrinking. If they can rediscover the speed, creativity, and clinical edge that once made them genuine title contenders, they may yet turn the narrative around and re‑establish themselves at the front of the Women’s Super League.