The Women's Super League (WSL) returns after the international break and most teams have already played six matches. But what have we learned from those games and what do the statistics tell us that could be a problem for teams in the coming months?
Arsenal risk falling further down the table
Arsenal won the UEFA Women's Champions League (UWCL) last season, but came nowhere close to stopping Chelsea in the WSL, and would love to win their first domestic title since 2019. But they are currently fifth (W3, E2, P1), five points behind leaders Chelsea, and have already dropped seven points from their six games, one more than Chelsea's unbeaten all of last season.
Beth Mead leads the way in assists (3), while Mariona Caldentey tops the charts for shot creation actions (31) and chances created (17), but it's Stina Blackstenius who is averaging the most goals + assists per 90 minutes at 1.57, despite only managing 170 minutes. In fact, the team's overall scoring output has been disappointing compared to last season, when they managed to score 4+ goals in eight consecutive home games. The offensive talent and ruthlessness that once defined them have been noticeably absent so far this campaign.
Striker Alessia Russo's performances up front have also highlighted some of the problem. As the graph above shows, Russo [No. 23, obscured by No. 12] he tends to drop deeper, and while he ranks eighth in the league in total shots (16), he doesn't appear in the top 10 in shots on goal (5), underscoring the team's inefficiency in front of goal. And that lack of clinical finishing has cost them valuable points so far.
Some of these attacking problems could be less damaging if Arsenal's defensive structure were stronger. However, they are currently missing key center back Leah Williamson, whose composure, leadership and ability to distribute long balls over the top have been sorely missed. The Gunners are the second with the fewest tackles (88), only one more than Liverpool, who have played one game less, with the lowest success rate (38.9%) and the fewest number of clearances (63).
With £1m summer arrival Olivia Smith potentially absent for a period of time following an injury sustained on international duty with Canada and goalkeeper Daphne van Domselaar withdrawing from the Netherlands camp, things could go from bad to worse for Arsenal with two London derbies against Chelsea and Spurs following their away clash with Leicester City. There are just two points separating them from newly promoted London City in sixth place, and they could find themselves mid-table if things don't change.
Manchester City's lack of Champions League football could help them
The only points Manchester City dropped this season came in their opening day defeat to Chelsea, which was also new manager Andrée Jeglertz's first game in charge. Since then, they have been in good shape and have shown clear signs of improvement and cohesion under new leadership.
Unlike last year, they are not competing in the UWCL (having lost third place in the table to Manchester United) and this absence may prove beneficial domestically, allowing them to concentrate fully on the league campaign without the added stress of midweek matches.
In fact, while juggling UWCL commitments and a series of injuries last season, they finished fourth with 13 wins, 4 draws and 5 losses. The previous year, when they did not participate in the Champions League, their domestic record was much stronger: 18 wins, 1 draw, 3 losses, and they finished tied on points at the top with Chelsea, but narrowly missed out on the title due to an inferior goal difference.
This season, City appear to be returning to that level of consistency; With five wins in six games, they are just one point behind the current six-time champion. His expected goals (xG) tally is 15.58, the highest in the league, and he has also scored the most goals (17).
And, with the Manchester derby approaching, City will look to capitalize on United having diverted their attention to two high-stakes UWCL clashes against Paris Saint-Germain and VfL Wolfsburg. It's a promising start that suggests they could once again be serious title contenders.
Spurs impress in defense after good start
Tottenham Hotspur are already just one win away from equaling their total number of wins from last season (5), having achieved four wins in their first six games. It has been a good start highlighting clear progress and improvement across the pitch under new coach Martin Ho.
Last season, under Robert Vilahamn, they finished 11th after a difficult campaign in which they conceded 44 goals, the second-highest total behind relegated Crystal Palace. Offensively, they only managed 26 goals, and their record of five wins, five draws and 12 losses reflected a team struggling for consistency and balance.
This season, however, the change has been impressive. Despite allowing the most shots (94), Spurs have conceded just seven goals and their defensive discipline has been a key factor in their rise up the table. Defender Clare Hunt has been a standout player in defence, currently leading the WSL in both blocks (16) and clearances (41); while goalkeeper Lize Kop has also been exceptional, keeping three clean sheets, a tally that puts her joint-top with Phallon Tullis-Joyce and Hannah Hampton.
Tellingly, the Kop only had to make 11 saves on those 94 shots, demonstrating how a much-improved defensive unit has laid the foundation for the team's early success.
Brighton's attack will be affected after Agyemang's injury
Michelle Agyemang's ACL injury is a major blow to Brighton & Hove Albion's attacking ambitions and losing such an influential attacking presence will seriously hamper their progress in the future.
Brighton's offensive performance so far has been disappointing, with only six goals scored in six games. While the team has shown composure and control in possession, much of this game has been limited to their own half (as shown by their heat map). This indicates a strong focus on defensive structure and discipline, but at the cost of attacking creativity and threat.
Goalkeeper Chiamaka Nnadozie has kept two clean sheets and has an impressive save percentage of 85.7%. But, having made 24 saves in 32 shots on goal, she is the third most proven goalkeeper in the competition so far, with a total of 80 shots, and without her reliability between the posts the team would be lower than seventh.
To release the pressure at the back, Brighton urgently need more imagination and sharpness in the final third if they are to start converting possession into genuine scoring opportunities, although Agyemang's absence will only make that task more difficult.
With their attacking depth now reduced, the pressure will be on the remaining forwards to step up. Kiko Seike has shown flashes of consistency as a goalscorer, but few have proven capable of doing so consistently.
West Ham and Liverpool, meaningless, in trouble
West Ham United boss Rehanne Skinner is currently on an eight-match losing streak – a worrying trend given she was previously sacked by Spurs after suffering nine consecutive defeats – and her position could soon become untenable if results do not improve quickly. Meanwhile, Liverpool's Gareth Taylor has also struggled, losing all five of his matches so far, and only joined the club over the summer.
Both coaches find themselves in difficult situations, and in some ways, their shared struggles can offer a small sense of solidarity as they try to stabilize their respective teams. Both teams have only scored two goals each, but West Ham's 17 conceded have put them in the danger zone thanks to a -15 goal difference, they have allowed a league-high 2.8 goals per game, and they have also made the most tackles (143).
Liverpool have only played five games, compared to West Ham's six, but their situation has been worsened by ACL injuries to two of their star forwards, Marie Hobinger and Sophie Román Haug, which has significantly weakened their attacking options and makes their upcoming games against Spurs, Brighton and Chelsea even more challenging. They currently have the second worst xG in the league (3.35) and that doesn't look like it will change anytime soon.
Taylor will likely have some time, given that he was only hired in the summer. But for Skinner the next few games could be decisive. If his team fails to pick up points against Manchester City (which seems unlikely) or against Leicester or Everton, he could face dismissal at the next international break.
