Arsenal maintained their perfect start to the WSL season with a convincing 5-1 victory at West Ham, responding in style after an early Daphne van Domselaar own goal.
The result, their second win in as many games, keeps them among the top two and on course for direct entry into the UWCL league phase.
So far, Renée Slegers has relied on a core of eight players: van Domselaar in goal; Emily Fox, Katie Reid, Steph Catley, and Katie McCabe in defence; a midfield pivot of Kim Little and Mariona Caldentey; and Alessia Russo in attack.
Around them, Caitlin Foord, Olivia Smith, Beth Mead, Chloe Kelly, Frida Maanum, Victoria Pelova, and Stina Blackstenius have rotated across the four attacking roles, while Taylor Hinds and Lotte Wubben-Moy have been used from the bench in defence.
Meanwhile, Manuela Zinsberger, Laia Codina, Anneke Borbé, and Kyra Cooney-Cross have so far remained unused substitutes. The situation of Jenna Nighswonger is already drawing questions, with the American left-back/left-sided midfielder yet to feature in a matchday squad.
With Leah Williamson still sidelined and academy player Sophie Harwood potentially in line for a Champions League bench spot, Nighswonger’s opportunities look limited unless injuries or suspensions intervene.
WSL matchday 2 results
- Manchester City 2 Brighton 1
- West Ham 1 Arsenal 5
- Aston Villa 1 Chelsea 3
- Leicester 1 Liverpool 0
- London City Lionesses 1 Manchester United 5
- Everton 0 Tottenham 2
That leaves four teams with six points from two games: Manchester United, Arsenal, Chelsea, and Tottenham, who are showing signs of revival under Martin Ho.
Arsenal face United away next Sunday, ensuring one 100% record will fall.
United head into that game with the added complication of a Champions League second leg against SK Brann, where they trail 1-0 after the first leg. They impressed in their 5-1 win over London City Lionesses, however, and remain favourites to reach the UWCL league phase.
Tottenham, meanwhile, host Manchester City, who cannot afford further early slip-ups after losing their opener to Chelsea. Sonia Bompastor’s Chelsea welcome Leicester City, buoyed by victory over Liverpool despite being reduced to 10 players following Shannon O’Brien’s red card. Both Leicester and Liverpool may find themselves in a relegation battle, with the bottom-placed side facing a play-off against the third-placed WSL2 team as the league prepares to expand to 14 clubs in 2026/27.
At the foot of the table, London City Lionesses, Liverpool, and West Ham remain without a point. For the Lionesses, it has been a tough baptism against Arsenal and Manchester United, conceding nine goals in two matches. Backed by Michelle Kang and having spent more than £2 million on transfers this summer, they are expected to push for mid-table safety but are still adapting to life with a largely rebuilt squad, with only four starters carried over from last season.
Chelsea’s win at Villa also extended Bompastor’s unbeaten domestic run to 24 games, underlining their title credentials.
For Arsenal, the message is equally clear: they cannot afford dropped points before their showdown with Chelsea at the Emirates on the weekend of 8 November. That includes next Sunday’s trip to Leigh Sports Village to face a Manchester United side in form and full of confidence.