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. In her analysis she highlights Arsenal’s recent record-breaking run, the club’s recent stumble, and the broader implications for a side that has long been seen as a title‑chasing powerhouse. Arsenal have now stretched their unbeaten run in the Women’s Super League to a club‑record 20 matches.
On paper that is an impressive statistic, but for manager Renee Slegers it offered little solace after a home defeat to Manchester United that saw the Gunners drop two points. United, despite a shaky start to the campaign and a league‑high tally of seven goals conceded, managed to find a way through the Emirates, exposing vulnerabilities that Arsenal have struggled to hide.
The Gunners have not lost a home game under Slegers, which makes the 95th‑minute equaliser by Smilla Holmberg all the more significant. Holmberg latched onto a beautifully floated cross from Leah Williamson and headed home to preserve the unbeaten home record. While the goal was technically sound, the Emirates crowd seemed underwhelmed, perhaps still reeling from the goalless draw at Crystal Palace the previous weekend – a match that left many fans with a sense of déjà vu.
Those two fixtures together suggest that Arsenal may be squandering the early momentum needed for a serious title push. With only five points from three games, Arsenal sit sixth in a league that has expanded from twelve to fourteen teams, lengthening the season to 26 matches.
The expansion does give Slegers a little breathing room; there are more opportunities to climb the table and a few extra points that could prove decisive later on. Nevertheless, at this stage the loss can only be described as a setback – another reminder that Arsenal have struggled to keep pace with the league’s best side in recent years. Over the past seven seasons there has been scant evidence that the Gunners can consistently challenge for the crown, despite a runner‑up finish last term. So what does Arsenal stand for if not a genuine title contender?
The team’s style, once praised for its attractive, attacking flair, now feels tentative. They generate a respectable number of chances – 60 shots so far – yet have only converted two, leaving an expected‑goals (xG) shortfall of 3.84. This inefficiency points to a deeper issue than simple bad luck.
Slegers will undoubtedly defend her side, arguing that three games is too small a sample to judge a campaign. While it is true that the season is only beginning, the patterns emerging are worrying. Opponents have discovered a tactical formula that works against Arsenal: sit in a compact block and make it difficult for the Gunners to break them down. When teams execute this plan, a draw becomes a realistic outcome, and draws have historically been enough to derail Arsenal’s title ambitions – four draws before Christmas were enough to eliminate them from the race last season.
The problem is also evident in the quality of Arsenal’s attacking play. The once‑explosive transitions have become sluggish and predictable. Mariona Caldentey’s misplaced pass 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.
Even when the team creates moments of promise, they often finish with a sense of doubt rather than confidence. Tactically, questions arise about the balance of the midfield.
Both Georgia Stanway and Mariona Caldentey appear to be deployed in similar No.8 roles, creating redundancy rather than complementary functions. Who is dictating the tempo from deep?
Should Alessia Russo be used as a true No.10, or is she being forced into a defensive role that limits her creative impact? The wide players, Lisa Baum and Olivia Smith, produced only a single cross and one successful dribble over the weekend, and the cross that did find Blackstenius should have resulted in a goal but did not. Instead of exploiting Manchester United’s transitional weaknesses, Arsenal spent much of the match standing off, overly polite, and reluctant to engage fully. For a squad with the talent on its roster, this cautious approach is unacceptable.
Slegers must demand greater precision from her playmakers, more incisive service from the flanks, and sharper finishing in the final third. Until the team can raise its intensity in these areas, draws will remain the most realistic outcome.
By contrast, Tottenham Hotspur’s forward Holdt is thriving. Since February, only Bunny Shaw has scored more goals than Holdt, who has netted eight.
Tottenham’s attacking fluidity is evident in their 7-0 demolition of Crystal Palace, where Martin Ho’s side scored six goals in a 25‑minute burst. Holdt’s hat‑trick showcased a variety of finishes – a well‑executed throw‑in routine, a powerful strike from a loose ball inside the box, and a composed finish following a quick turnover.
Her blend of talent, determination, and adaptability makes her a model for the kind of decisive player Arsenal need. In summary, Arsenal’s early season performance highlights a team at a crossroads.
Their record unbeaten run is impressive, yet the recent draw against a vulnerable United side underscores a lack of cutting edge. The club must address midfield congestion, clarify Russo’s role, encourage wingers to take on defenders one‑on‑one, and improve the quality of service into the box. If they can do that, the long unbeaten streak could translate into genuine title contention. If not, the pattern of missed opportunities may continue, leaving Arsenal as perennial challengers but never champions.