Laura Hunter, a columnist for Sky Sports, breaks down the most significant talking points emerging from the second round of the Women's Super League (WSL). Her analysis pulls readers into the core narratives shaping the women's game today, offering insight into both the triumphs and the frustrations that define the early season.
Arsenal have just etched a new club record by going 20 matches unbeaten in the WSL, a streak that underscores their consistency at Emirates Stadium. Yet, this achievement offered little solace to manager Renee Slegers after the Gunners slipped up at home, conceding two points to a Manchester United side that has already exposed a number of frailties in the opening weeks. United, despite a leaky defence that has let in a league‑high seven goals, managed to force a draw that left Arsenal’s unbeaten home run in jeopardy. Historically, Arsenal have never been beaten on their own turf under Slegers, a fact that made Smilla Holmberg’s dramatic 95th‑minute equaliser from a soaring cross by Leah Williamson all the more poignant.
The goal, a textbook example of timing and precision, was executed flawlessly, yet its brilliance was almost lost on an Emirates crowd that seemed distracted. Many spectators had just traveled to Crystal Palace the previous weekend for a goalless stalemate, creating an odd sense of déjà vu across the two fixtures. The draw leaves Arsenal perched at sixth place with five points from three games, a position that feels modest in a league that has expanded from twelve to fourteen clubs. The extension of the season to 26 matches does provide a larger margin for error, and some may argue that a point earned in a tight game could later be viewed as a valuable contribution to a long campaign.
For now, however, the result feels more like a setback than a stepping stone. Critics will seize upon this outcome as further evidence of Arsenal’s struggle to keep pace with the league’s elite. Over the past seven seasons, the Gunners have repeatedly fallen short of the benchmark set by the eventual champions, even after a second‑place finish last term. This raises a fundamental question: what does Arsenal stand for if not a genuine title challenge?
Is the club merely a collection of talented individuals who lack the conviction to translate chances into goals? Statistically, Arsenal have taken 60 shots this season but have only found the net twice, an expected‑goals (xG) shortfall of 3.84.
Such a discrepancy suggests a problem that goes beyond simple bad luck; it points to a deeper issue in the way the team creates and finishes opportunities. Slegers will undoubtedly defend her side, reminding observers that three games is an insufficient sample size to render a verdict. Yet the patterns emerging from these early outings hint at tactical vulnerabilities that opponents are already exploiting.
Many teams have discovered that a compact, disciplined block can frustrate Arsenal’s attacking rhythm. When opponents sit deep and maintain shape, the Gunners often struggle to break them down, resulting in low‑scoring draws that benefit everyone except Arsenal. Last season, four draws before Christmas effectively ended Arsenal’s title hopes, and a repeat of that pattern would be disastrous. The creative spark that once defined Arsenal’s forward play appears to be dimming.
Mariona Caldentey’s careless lay‑off to Alessia Russo, Stina Blackstenius’s missed header against Phallon Tullis‑Joyce, and Chloe Kelly’s speculative long‑range attempts all illustrate a growing hesitancy in the final third. These missed chances, while technically sound, were underscored by an undercurrent of doubt. A tactical review raises several questions for Slegers and her squad. Are the midfield roles clearly defined?
Both Georgia Stanway and Mariona Caldentey are being asked to operate as primary number‑8s, potentially creating redundancy and limiting the team’s ability to control the game from deep. Should Alessia Russo be deployed as a true number‑10, or is she better suited to a more defensive role?
Are the wide players, such as Lisa Baum and Olivia Smith, too reluctant to engage in one‑on‑one duels? Over the weekend, they combined for just one cross and one successful dribble, and even when Baum delivered a quality ball to Blackstenius, it failed to result in a goal. Instead of targeting Manchester United’s weaknesses—particularly the adjustments they are making under Eva Olid—Arsenal spent much of the match in a passive stance, almost too polite to fully challenge their opponents. With a squad of the calibre that Arsenal possesses, such restraint is hard to justify.
What is needed now is a demand for higher standards: sharper decision‑making from the playmakers, more incisive service from the flanks, and a greater appetite for clinical finishing. Every element of the attacking phase must be able to shift into a higher gear if Arsenal hopes to convert draws into victories. In contrast, Tottenham’s forward Holdt appears to be thriving. Since February, only Bunny Shaw (with twelve goals) has outscored her, highlighting Holdt’s confidence in front of goal.
Spurs have displayed a fresh, fluid attacking style, exemplified by a recent 7‑0 demolition of Crystal Palace, where Martin Ho’s side scored six goals in a blistering 25‑minute spell. Holdt’s hat‑trick—comprising a well‑executed set‑piece, a powerful finish from a loose ball, and a swift counter‑attack goal—demonstrated her versatility and composure. Holdt embodies a blend of talent and determination, adapting quickly to the demands of the league. Her ability to both score and create, coupled with her willingness to carry the ball and distribute it effectively, makes her a pivotal figure for Spurs as they aim to maintain their second‑place standing.
For Arsenal, the challenge lies in rediscovering the attacking verve that once made them a feared force. The team must refine its tactical balance, encourage its wingers to take on defenders, and ensure that midfielders are not overlapping in function. Only by addressing these issues can they hope to break the pattern of draws and re‑establish themselves as genuine contenders for the WSL title. The season is still in its infancy, but the early signs suggest that Arsenal’s path to the summit will require more than just an unbeaten home record.
It will demand a renewed commitment to an attractive, goal‑rich style of play that matches their reputation and satisfies the expectations of their supporters.