Digital journalist Laura Hunter returns for a second season with a WSL-dedicated column, analysing all the big talking points from across the weekend’s action; this week’s focus is on Arsenal’s failure to convert dominance into goals and a defining week for Spurs’ Olivia Holdt Sky Sports columnist Laura Hunter analyses the big talking points from the second round of Women’s Super League matches, bringing you closer to the key stories at the heart of the women’s game. Please use Chrome browser for a more accessible video player Arsenal have set a club record for longest unbeaten streak in the Women’s Super League (20 games). But that will be scant consolation for Renee Slegers after dropping two points at home to a Manchester United side who have shown untold vulnerabilities in the opening weeks of the season, shipping a league-high seven goals. The Gunners do not lose at home under Slegers.
So it stands to reason that Smilla Holmberg would latch onto a beautifully flighted cross from Leah Williamson to score a 95th-minute equaliser and preserve that honour. The goal was excellently worked. But its quality was barely perceptible among an expectant Emirates crowd, some of whom will have travelled to Crystal Palace last weekend to watch a goalless stalemate play out, leaving both games with an odd sense of deja vu. Arsenal look to be blowing their chances of a proper title chase at the first hurdle.
Again. Please use Chrome browser for a more accessible video player Five points from three games is only enough for sixth in this elevated, elongated league, now made up of 14 teams instead of 12. Perhaps that extension offers Slegers some solace. There will inevitably be a few more hiding places along the course of a 26-game season; this might even come to be known as a ‘good point’ when all is said and done.
Contextually, for now, it can only be framed as a setback. Another stick to bash with. More proof of Arsenal’s inability to keep pace with whomever the best team is in the league on any given year. There has been little evidence to the contrary for the past seven seasons, despite finishing second last term.
And so what are Arsenal, if not title contenders? What do they stand for, if not playing an attractive style that pairs with results? Are they a side with only the threat of goals, who lack the conviction with which they are scored? From 60 attempts so far, Arsenal have netted twice, an xG underperformance of 3.84.
Of course, Slegers has plenty of time for rebuttal to such critique. No team should be written off after three games, we are barely passed the break line. And yet, Arsenal’s three outings have revealed an issue that extends well beyond that timeframe. A realisation that most opposition teams appear to have in their tactical back pocket.
Sit in a compact block against Arsenal and they will struggle to break you down. To stay disciplined against Arsenal is worthy of a point, very rarely more, but a draw is useful for nearly every team besides the Gunners themselves. Put the brakes on and take what is rightfully yours. Four draws before Christmas was enough to effectively rule them out of the title running last year, they can ill-afford for that to happen again.
Such an urge must be suppressed quickly. But how? The speed and unpredictability with which Arsenal attack is waning. Mariona Caldentey blasts Alessia Russo’s lay-off carelessly wide.
Stina Blackstenius plants her point-blank header at but not beyond Phallon Tullis-Joyce. Chloe Kelly tries her luck from distance. All valid attempts, somehow laced with undermining doubt. They saved their best moment until the very last kick.
Questions should be asked of both Slegers and her players after such a passive start. Is the balance right? I’d argue that Georgia Stanway and Mariona Caldentey are trying to perform the same function in midfield, both as the primary No 8. Who is dictating from deep?
Is the best use of Russo as a No 10? Should she not be on the last line of defence? Are the wingers too shy to go one-vs-one? Lisa Baum and Olivia Smith managed just one cross and one dribble between them at the weekend, albeit the delivery Baum did use to pick out Blackstenius should have resulted in a goal.
Instead of attacking Manchester United’s weaknesses as they get to grips with a new style of play under Eva Olid, Arsenal spent most of the game standing off, too polite to properly engage. This squad is too talented to exercise such reserve. Slegers needs to demand more. More refinement from the playmakers, better options and service from wide areas, sharper finishing.
Everything in the final third, in fact, can go up several gears. Until that happens, disappointing draws are all Arsenal really deserve. Please use Chrome browser for a more accessible video player Someone who is not suffering with a crisis of confidence in front of goal is Tottenham’s Holdt. Since the start of February, only Bunny Shaw (12) has found the goal more times than her eight.
The fluidity with which Spurs attack is fresh and exciting. Crystal Palace held out for an entire half before feeling the full brunt of Martin Ho’s wonderfully inventive side in a 7-0 drubbing, scoring six goals in a devastating 25-minute period. Holdt’s hat-trick set the tone. A perfect treble of differing strikes.
One from a neatly worked throw routine, an instinctive banger from a loose ball inside the box and another from a high turnover. To my eye, she is a great blend of talent meets determination and has adapted the demands of the league quicker than most. She is a scorer and creator of goals, who can carry the ball just as well as she distributes it. On her first Spurs start this season, she gave Ho plenty to think about as his side move up to second in the table.
The challenge now is to stay there. Play Super 6 for a chance to win £1m! Enter for free.
