Are Arsenal ready to reclaim the WSL this season?

Arsenal Women

Are Arsenal ready to reclaim the WSL this season? 

By Tom Masters

Arsenal last claimed the Barclays Women’s Super League in the 2018/19 season, with London rivals Chelsea since claiming the title for three seasons in a row.

But after a summer in which their stars thrived at the Euros, are Arsenal ready to reclaim their WSL crown this season? 

The Gunners finished third in both the 2019/20 and 2020/21 seasons, before finishing second by the barest of margins last season – with Chelsea having to come from behind to beat Manchester United to claim the title by just one point ahead of the Gunners on the final day.


Coming so close a year ago led to captain Leah Williamson coming out and admitting how much motivation that feeling has given her side ahead of this year. 


But are they ready to win the top flight for the 16th time? 


Feel good factor 


There is an undeniable feel-good factor at Arsenal after the European Championships, with the likes of captain Williamson and Beth Mead heavily involved as England claimed their first-ever major international honour.


Those players being so heavily involved in a successful summer of English football will be a massive help for the Gunners – as will the general support of the public, with attendances expected to be far higher after the Lionesses captured the hearts of a nation. 


That is something that manager Jonas Eidevall will look to use as a happy team is almost always a good team. 


Quality 


Arsenal were defeated just once last season, conceding onlt ten goals, scoring 65, and finishing on 55 points. 


That alone tells you everything you need to know about the quality the Gunners possess before looking at their squad. 


But when you see names which include WSL’s all-time top scorer Vivianne Miedema, England captain Williamson, fellow European champions Beth Mead and Lotte Wubben-Moy, and Brazilian Copa America winner Rafaelle Souza – Arsenal have a squad more than capable of claiming a first WSL title in four years. 


Lessons learnt 


Arsenal led the league for much of last season, only to slip up and drop away from top spot when it really mattered. 


The Gunners dropped points in only five matches – four draws (against Chelsea, Tottenham, Manchester City and Manchester United) and a 2-0 defeat against soon-to-be relegated Birmingham City which proved to be their undoing. 


With a side as good as Chelsea in the league, every point matters, while the likes of Manchester United and Manchester City have improved immensely in the past two seasons, putting even more pressure on the team to take maximum points at ever opportunity.


Have Arsenal learnt their lessons from those games in which they dropped points? If so, there is no reason they cannot re-claim their title. 


Opposition 


Chelsea have won the title for three consecutive seasons and for a reason; they are packed full of world-class talent too. 


Sam Kerr scored a sensational 20 goals last season, and their signings of Kadeisha Buchanan and Eve Perisset further boost a defence that already contains England's Millie Bright. 


Arsenal have added Swedish forward Lina Hurtig to their ranks who will no doubt contribute with even more goals and already have the squad to more than compete. 


It appears it is going to be a proper two-way race between the Gunners and their London rivals again – and this could well be the year where Arsenal get back on top, but they will have to be at their best. 

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