Sky Sports columnist Laura Hunter breaks down the main talking points from the second round of the Women's Super League, giving readers a deeper look at the narratives shaping the women's game today. Arsenal have just set a new club record by going unbeaten for 20 matches in the WSL – the longest run in the team’s history.
Yet that achievement offered little solace to manager Renee Slegers after her side slipped up at home against Manchester United, conceding two points in a game that exposed a number of frailties and saw the visitors finish with a league‑high seven goals scored. At the Emirates, the Gunners have never been beaten on home soil under Slegers, so it was almost inevitable that a late equaliser would come from a well‑timed cross.
Smilla Holmberg met Leah Williamson’s perfectly floated ball with a header in the 95th minute, restoring the unbeaten home record and delivering a dramatic finish for the crowd. The goal was technically sound, but the quality of the strike was almost lost on an audience that had just endured a goalless draw at Crystal Palace the previous weekend.
Both fixtures left fans with a strange sense of déjà vu, as Arsenal seemed to be squandering any real chance of mounting a serious title challenge right from the outset. Five points from three matches currently places Arsenal in sixth place in a league that has been expanded to 14 teams, up from the previous 12.
The larger pool of competitors may provide a small buffer for Slegers, but a 26‑game season still offers few opportunities to recover from a poor start. In hindsight, this draw could be labelled a "good point" if the Gunners manage to turn the season around, but for now it is best described as a setback – another obstacle in a pattern that has persisted for seven seasons, despite a second‑place finish last term. So what does Arsenal represent if not a genuine title contender?
Are they a side that merely threatens to score without the conviction to finish? Their attacking statistics underline the problem: out of 60 attempts they have only found the net twice, an expected‑goals (xG) shortfall of 3.84.
This glaring inefficiency raises questions about the team’s creative output and the quality of chances they are creating. Slegers will undoubtedly have a response.
It is far too early to write off any team after just three games, and the season is only just beyond the halfway point of its opening month. Nonetheless, the early fixtures have highlighted a deeper tactical issue that opponents seem to be exploiting. When a team sits in a compact block, Arsenal struggle to break them down. Maintaining defensive discipline against the Gunners often earns the opposition a point – a result that is more than Arsenal can afford if they wish to stay in the title race.
Four draws before Christmas were enough to derail Arsenal’s title hopes last season, and they cannot afford a repeat of that pattern. The problem appears to be a loss of pace and unpredictability in their attacking play.
Mariona Caldentey’s misplaced lay‑off to Alessia Russo, Stina Blackstenius’s header that failed to beat Phallon Tullis‑Joyce, and Chloe Kelly’s long‑range attempts all illustrate a lack of cutting edge and confidence in the final third. The team saved its most promising moment for the final whistle, but the overall performance was too passive.
Questions now arise for both Slegers and her players. Is the midfield balance correct? Georgia Stanway and Mariona Caldentey are both operating as central midfield No. 8s, seemingly sharing the same responsibilities.
Who should be dictating play from deep? Should Alessia Russo be deployed as a true No.
10, or is she better suited to a deeper, defensive role? Are the wingers hesitant to take on defenders one‑on‑one? Over the weekend, Lisa Baum and Olivia Smith combined for only one cross and one successful dribble, and the cross that Baum delivered to Blackstenius should have resulted in a goal but did not. Instead of exploiting Manchester United’s transitional weaknesses under new coach Eva Olid, Arsenal spent much of the match standing off, too polite to fully engage.
With a squad of this calibre, such restraint is puzzling. Slegers must demand more from her side – sharper decision‑making from the playmakers, better service from the flanks, and a higher conversion rate in front of goal. Every element of the attacking third needs to shift up a gear; until that happens, the Gunners will continue to settle for disappointing draws.
In contrast, Tottenham’s forward Holdt appears to be thriving. Since February, only Bunny Shaw (with 12 goals) has outscored her, highlighting Holdt’s growing confidence in front of goal.
Tottenham’s attacking fluidity is fresh and exciting. After a tight first half against Crystal Palace, they unleashed a devastating 7‑0 victory, scoring six goals in a 25‑minute burst. Holdt’s hat‑trick set the tone – a neatly executed throw‑in finish, 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 has allowed her to meet the league’s demands faster than most peers.
She can both create and finish chances, and on her first start for Spurs this season she gave manager Martin Ho plenty to think about as his side climbed to second place in the table. The challenge now is to maintain that momentum. Overall, Arsenal’s early season narrative is one of missed opportunities and tactical hesitancy. While the unbeaten home streak offers a small silver lining, the lack of cutting‑edge finishing, the unclear roles in midfield, and the reluctance to press opponents aggressively suggest that the Gunners are not yet the side that can consistently challenge for the title.
If they wish to shift from being perennial runners‑up to genuine champions, Slegers must tighten the tactical framework, clarify player responsibilities, and, most importantly, unlock a more decisive and creative attacking approach. Only then can Arsenal move beyond the label of "title hopefuls without the results" and become a true contender for the Women's Super League crown.