Arsenal showed their true potential. The Gunners’ 11-game unbeaten run in the Women’s Super League is their highest since 2022. It’s the perfect time to reap the rewards of a season that until recently was in danger of faltering.
Much of Arsenal’s recent success has been due to individuals stepping up their game. Chloe Kelly hasn’t found the back of the net in a league game since October, but she scored a hat-trick at the weekend. However, there is also a sense among observers that Arsenal are subtly growing towards their peak.
Few were paying attention to the Gunners’ steady rise, given that their WSL title bid had slumped by Christmas due to excessive draws. Arsenal are left alone as Manchester City look to win their first title in 10 years.
The ability to operate under the radar is not usually afforded to clubs that are synonymous with winning, but it was City’s advantage and few clubs looked elsewhere. This method has clear advantages. It takes the pressure off.
Use Chrome Browser for a more accessible video player
Highlights of the Women’s Super League match between Arsenal and West Ham United.
Beth Mead summed it up perfectly in a recent conversation with Sky Sports, saying: “We’re having fun playing.” The forward has been plagued by a number of injuries this season, but returned to action earlier this month with a familiar hit.
Meade’s winning goal in a 5-0 win over West Ham at the weekend epitomized the fun she stands for. Front foot soccer that creates exciting combinations and many goals. All players are in sync.
But more than that, the jinx that wiped out another victory made me think. Is there a case for Arsenal to take more seriously as they look to win silver this season?
Use Chrome Browser for a more accessible video player
Rene Sleggers and Alessia Russo are looking ahead to the Champions League first leg between Arsenal and Chelsea.
“Collaboration has gotten better at putting people in positions where their super strengths can play out,” Mead said. “Everyone is comfortable playing their best football and individuals are stepping up.” The No. 9 can categorize his performance off the bench as demonstrating this new and improved sense of purpose and adventurousness.
A deft give-and-go with Smilla Holmberg that gave Meade a chance for a fifth goal on Saturday showed all the signs of leveling up. This number speaks to their relentless pace of play. Arsenal had a total of 11 shots on target and scored five times, with a conversion rate of 45 per cent and an average of just over 12 for the season.
“We always created chances, but we were far more responsible for letting them go,” Meade said. “We could have ended the game, but we kept our team in the game and only ended up with a draw. We have been fighting tooth and nail this year. This is a big change.”
Beth Meade scored in the first game of the season against Chelsea in a 2-0 win.
Of course, this is just a reminder of Arsenal’s vast capabilities. Under Slegers they are reigning European champions and will defend their title on Tuesday when they face Chelsea in their 17th European quarter-final. Years of domestic conflict will only add to the intrigue for Meade, and will do the same for the fans.
She scored the opening goal when Arsenal beat Chelsea in January.
Use Chrome Browser for a more accessible video player
Highlights of the Women’s Super League match between Chelsea and Arsenal.
“A quarter-final against any team in the Champions League is exciting, but obviously Chelsea are close rivals and that makes it feel a little bit harder, right? We’re excited, we know Chelsea, they know us. It depends on which team does well that night. This should be a good statement for women’s football in general.”
It was impossible not to sense the buzz. Those who followed Arsenal’s rise to continental champions last season will remember Mead’s winning pass in the final in Lisbon, when Stina Braxstenius unleashed Barcelona’s defense with the decisive strike. This craft was the trademark of a player accustomed to owning big opportunities.
Mead, 30, has topped Arsenal’s assists list this season despite only making 10 league starts. Her shooting accuracy is second only to Black Stainious. But for such an experienced campaigner, personal accolades matter little at this critical juncture. The result is real currency.
“Every game is a stepping stone. It’s a tired cliché, but that’s the way it should be. We have to stay focused on the next game, what we want from the next game, how we can strategize to get a result. We can’t control what the other team does, so we focus on what’s in front of us.”
Saturday, March 28th 5pm
5:30pm kickoff
“Of course we want to reach the finals of both the FA Cup and the Champions League. When you play for Arsenal you want to fight until the end in every competition and that hasn’t changed. This season we will strive to bring home the trophy.”
On the creative side, Mead continues to be one of Sledgers’ most trusted outlets. Although Mead praises his team for their free play, the Arsenal manager is actually short on options when it comes to influential players who have proven themselves on the toughest stages. That means she can remain tactically flexible without compromising performance.
If Arsenal manage to come through this season-defining week on top, with Saturday’s game against Chelsea and the North London derby against Tottenham live on Sky Sports, Mead will no doubt be in the picture. We’ve reached the cliffhanger part of the campaign, and no one is more fired up.
Follow Sky Sports’ exclusive live blog for Arsenal vs Chelsea on the web and app on Tuesdays and watch Arsenal vs Tottenham live on Sky Sports from 5pm on Saturdays. Kickoff 5:30pm
