What do Arsenal stand for if not title contenders?

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.

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.

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.