Sky Sports columnist Laura Hunter breaks down the most pressing issues emerging from the second round of Women's Super League fixtures, offering readers a deeper look at the narratives shaping the women's game today. Arsenal have just etched a new club record by going unbeaten for 20 consecutive Women's Super League matches, a streak that should have been a source of pride for manager Renee Slegers. Instead, it offers little solace after the Gunners slipped up at home against a Manchester United side that, despite a shaky start to the campaign, managed to expose a surprising number of defensive frailties and conceded a league‑high seven goals in the opening weeks. Historically, Slegers' Arsenal have never been beaten on their own turf, so it was almost inevitable that a late drama would unfold.
In the 95th minute, Smilla Holmberg latched onto a perfectly weighted cross from Leah Williamson and headed home to force a draw, preserving the club's unbeaten home record. The goal was technically sound, but the quality of the strike was almost lost on the expectant Emirates crowd, many of whom had just traveled to Crystal Palace the previous weekend for a goalless stalemate that left both matches feeling oddly familiar. That sense of déjà vu underscores a worrying pattern: Arsenal appear to be squandering their chances of mounting a genuine title challenge at the very first hurdle, once again.
Five points from three games currently places the Gunners in sixth position in an expanded league now featuring 14 teams rather than the previous 12. While the increase in fixtures may offer Slegers a small consolation—there are more opportunities to climb the table over a 26‑match season—this early standing is still far from the standards expected of a club that has consistently finished near the top over the past seven seasons. In the short term, the draw can be framed as a setback, another obstacle to be overcome. It adds to a growing body of evidence suggesting Arsenal struggle to keep pace with the league’s eventual champions, whatever form that team takes in a given year.
The club has shown little sign of breaking this trend, even after finishing as runners‑up last season. So, what does Arsenal stand for if not a title‑contending side?
Are they merely a team that threatens to score but lacks the conviction to convert chances? Their statistics tell a sobering story: out of 60 shots taken so far, they have found the net only twice, resulting in an expected‑goals (xG) shortfall of 3.84. Slegers will undoubtedly have a rebuttal ready.
No team should be written off after just three matches, and the season is still in its infancy. Yet the patterns emerging from Arsenal’s first three outings point to deeper tactical issues that opponents have already identified and are exploiting. When other teams set up in a compact, disciplined block, Arsenal often struggle to break them down.
Securing a point against such defensive setups is common, but a win is rare, and a draw does little to advance their title ambitions. Last season, four draws before Christmas effectively ended Arsenal’s title hopes, and the club cannot afford a repeat of that scenario. The problem appears to be a waning attacking rhythm and a loss of unpredictability. Mariona Caldentey’s careless lay‑off to Alessia Russo, Stina Blackstenius’s close‑range header that missed Phallon Tullis‑Joyce, and Chloe Kelly’s long‑range attempts all illustrate an attack that lacks the sharpness and confidence required at this level.
These missed opportunities culminated in a last‑minute equaliser that, while salvaging a point, highlighted the team’s overall passivity. Questions now arise for both Slegers and her squad: Is the midfield balance correct? Georgia Stanway and Caldentey seem to be performing overlapping No. 8 roles, creating confusion over who should dictate play from deeper positions.
Should Alessia Russo be deployed as a traditional No. 10, or does she belong on the defensive line to provide additional stability? 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 a single successful dribble, and even the cross that Baum delivered to Blackstenius failed to result in a goal.
Rather than exploiting Manchester United’s transitional vulnerabilities under new manager Eva Olid, Arsenal spent much of the match standing off, too polite to engage fully. Such restraint seems out of step with the talent at their disposal.
Slegers must demand more: sharper creativity from the playmakers, more incisive service from the flanks, and greater composure in front of goal. The final third needs to operate at a higher gear, or Arsenal will continue to settle for disappointing draws. In contrast, Tottenham’s Holdt provides a bright spot in the league.
Since February, only Bunny Shaw (with 12 goals) has outscored her, underscoring Holdt’s emerging reputation as a confident finisher. Spurs’ attacking fluidity feels fresh and exciting; after a half‑hour of defensive resilience, Crystal Palace finally felt the full force of Martin Ho’s inventive side, which produced a 7‑0 thrashing, netting six goals in a blistering 25‑minute spell. Holdt’s hat‑trick set the tone for that victory: a well‑executed throw‑in finish, a powerful strike from a loose ball inside the box, and a clinical finish following a high turnover.
She blends talent with determination, adapting to the league’s demands faster than most peers. Her ability to both score and create, coupled with confident ball‑carrying and distribution, makes her a valuable asset for Spurs as they climb to second place. The challenge now lies in maintaining that momentum. Overall, Arsenal’s early season narrative is one of unfulfilled potential and tactical stagnation.
While the unbeaten home record offers a silver lining, the team must address its lack of cutting edge in attack, clarify midfield roles, and increase the aggressiveness of its wide play if it hopes to transform draws into victories and re‑establish itself as a genuine title contender. The season is long, and with 26 matches ahead, there is still ample opportunity for redemption—provided the Gunners can find the resolve to sharpen every aspect of their game.