Arsenal are the Women’s Super League’s pioneers – but what about the football?

Arsenal have always led by example. They are the gold standard when it comes to how a Women’s Super League club should be run, circa 2023. Daring, courageous, progressive and not afraid.

They don’t want to be in the shadows, they want to be at the forefront of the women’s football revolution; organizing showpiece events in the club’s main stadiums and breaking attendance records by playing attractive and authentic football.

They want the best and most influential talent: players who can compete and challenge on the pitch, but also tackle and tackle important issues off it.

If this were a box-ticking exercise, Arsenal would have almost achieved a perfect score, albeit without the silverware to match. Historically, the Gunners have been English football’s most successful women’s side (and the only club to conquer Europe), but have since handed their crown to Chelsea, who have dominated in recent years.

Chelsea’s infrastructure is less advanced, but they have maintained a monopoly on domestic silverware since 2015, winning seven of nine WSL titles in that period. In fact, Emma Hayes’ reign will go down as one of the best to ever grace the game – male or female.

Friday, October 6, 7:00 PM

Kick-off 7.30 pm

Back to Arsenal, who have just tied manager Jonas Eidevall to a new contract, and there is a need for clarity on their case. If the Gunners could couple their ability to attract record-breaking crowds, market-leading commercial sponsors and some of the game’s best new talent with consistent results (and trophies) they would truly be a force.

Arsenal indeed had a particularly promising summer of recruitment. Five world-class players were added, including the in-demand Alessia Russo, who had her choice of clubs from all of Europe’s top leagues (and offers from the US) and chose to commit to Arsenal.

Russo’s transfer was defended in the same way as Arsenal’s signing of Declan Rice two weeks later, in fact Russo even featured in Rice’s online reveal video. There is a deliberate connection: Russo’s replica shirt was placed next to Rice’s in the Arsenal club shop and received equal attention.

If you take a look at the facade of the Emirates Stadium, it is covered with female stars from the past and present. Players are positioned wide and beaming, next to their male counterparts. As a club they make the right noises, which makes football even more important.

Perhaps there is a disconnect between what Arsenal have achieved off the pitch and their performances on it. An imbalance that needs to be addressed.

Summer helped. In many cases, Arsenal struck while the iron was hot, and it has been made for a much-needed strengthening of the squad: a more complete team, with depth, capable of bidding for silverware on multiple fronts.

Russo was supplemented by Swedish defender Amanda Ilestedt, who scored four goals at the World Cup (one behind Golden Boot winner Hinata Miyazawa), World Cup winner Laia Codina, Canadian striker Cloe Lacasse and Australian midfielder Kyra Cooney-Cross. Pedigree in spades.

They also have – and this was a mitigation for last season’s underperformance – Beth Mead, Viv Miedema and Williamson returning from long-term injuries. Players will need time to adapt to the demands and schedule, but it is a remarkably well-balanced contingent.

Eidevall can no longer (assuming most of his team stay fit) link a lack of resources to underperformance. The Swede has been given great new players and an improved contract, and you can be sure that the return will have to replace the only trophy he has managed to win so far: the Conti Cup.

Contextually, it’s important to note that Arsenal were on the verge of something impressive last season. They teetered on the brink of the Champions League final before dreams were crushed by the boot of Wolfsburg’s Pauline Bremer in the 119th minute of an event watched by more than 60,000 spectators in the Emirates in early May.

Arsenal know how to cause a stir at the Emirates. They do it better than any other WSL club – players are like their brass band, a mini set of influencers each attracting their own following. Attendance records are broken when the Gunners host, and usually they only break their own record.

However, translating that to chasing titles proves to be a bit more difficult. The next phase of this Arsenal renaissance, which is being felt across the club, is regular silverware. Only then can this era be described as a complete success.

Past disappointments, including last week’s Liverpool reverse, which was watched by more than 54,000 people in the Emirates (a new WSL record), must be put aside. It should also be forgotten that Arsenal have already given up their place in this season’s European competition after being beaten in qualifying by Paris FC.

The silver lining, of course, is a more favorable schedule. The last time Arsenal failed to qualify for the Champions League in 2019, they won the WSL. This time they would like to make that trade-off, but the proof of the pudding is in the eating.

Arsenal’s courage to be trendsetters is commendable, but now football must marry.

Continue watching Man United vs Arsenal live Sky Sports Premier League from 7 p.m. on Friday; starting at 7:30 PM