Five things we learned from WSL Matchday 7: Arsenal rediscover attacking spark in win over Leicester | OneFootball

SheKicks takes a look at five talking points following Matchday 7 of the Women’s Super League (WSL), which saw victories for Arsenal, Chelsea, Manchester United, Man City and Tottenham.

Five things we learned from WSL Matchday 7

Arsenal rediscover attacking spark in WSL win over Leicester

Arsenal scored as many goals against Leicester as they had in their previous four WSL games combined.

Renee Slegers’ side struggled to take their chances before the international break. A drab goalless draw was followed by more dropped points against Aston Villa, thanks to a 94th-minute equaliser by Lucy Parker.

Alessia Russo struggled to make an impact during the first half against Manchester City, where Arsenal lost to a late Iman Beney winner.

Arsenal beat Brighton 1-0 just before the international break, but it was another game where the Gunners were well below par.

The Gunners looked more like themselves in the victory over Leicester, with Russo scoring her first WSL goal since September 12th to give them the lead. Sari Kees put the ball in the back of her own net before Stina Blackstenius scored a brace for the European champions.

Against Leicester, Arsenal had an xG of 1.90 with six of their 18 shots hitting the target. Last month, Arsenal had an xG of 2.69 and also had six shots on target from 19 shots but only scored one goal in the draw against Aston Villa.

Slegers will be hoping this is a sign that Arsenal have returned to scoring form at the right time, ahead of their huge WSL clash with Chelsea this weekend.

Brighton can cope without Michelle Agyemang

Brighton suffered a huge injury blow last week after their loan signing from Arsenal, Michelle Agyemang, was ruled out for the season with a ruptured ACL.

There were concerns this could affect Brighton’s season, as they look to build on a fifth-place finish from last season.

Brighton might have lost 3-2 to Manchester United at the weekend, but Fran Kirby and Kiko Seike proved they are capable of providing the goals for the Seagulls.

Seike had already scored more goals for Brighton this season than Agyemang, going into the game against the Red Devils. Against Marc Skinner’s side, she netted her fourth goal of the season in all competitions.

Kirby also netted against United and has three goals across all competitions this season, after netting eight for Brighton last season.

Manchester United held the best defensive record in the WSL going into the game with just three goals conceded. For Brighton to add two goals to that tally, Brighton showed they still possess some strong options in attack in the absence of Agyemang.

Michelle Agyemang will miss the rest of the WSL season/

Everton are showing signs of progress after recent concerning form

There were high hopes for Everton after they thrashed local rivals Liverpool 4-1 at Anfield on the opening day.

However, results for both sides since that day show that the result was more a sign of problems to come for Liverpool, rather than what Everton could achieve this season.

The Toffees failed to win their next five WSL games, taking just one point in a draw against Leicester City. Head coach Brian Sorensen said there was ‘no panic’ going into their Matchday 7 fixture with Aston Villa.

Everton again failed to take three points against Aston Villa, but the fight they showed to earn a 3-3 draw will be a reassuring sign for head coach Brian Sorensen.

Kelly Gago scored a brace, including a 90th-minute equaliser, as Everton twice came from behind against Villa on Sunday.

Everton arguably should have won the game, having 16 shots compared to Aston Villa’s 7. However, Everton’s xG of 1.82, compared to Aston Villa’s 1.73, suggests there was not much between the sides in terms of clear-cut attacking opportunities.

The Toffees had 14 shots from inside the box and one that hit the woodwork. While Everton are now six games without a win, there are signs of improvement from Sorensen’s side.

Kelly Gago (pictured left in February 2025) scored a brace against Aston Villa (Photo by Lewis Storey/Getty Images)

Manchester City could push Chelsea for WSL title this season

Manchester City were far from their clinical best during a 1-0 victory over pointless West Ham at the weekend.

The same could be said of their 2-1 win over Liverpool before the international break, where Aoba Fujino netted an 86th-minute winner.

However, depending on the outcome of Arsenal vs Chelsea this weekend, Manchester City could jump to the top of the WSL table with a victory over Everton.

Since losing to Chelsea on the opening day of the season, City have won six games on the bounce in the WSL.

City have arguably the best striker in the league in Khadija Shaw, while the likes of Fujino,Yui Hasegawa and Kerstin Casparij are all enjoying excellent seasons.

Shaw said City had high hopes for this season under new boss Andree Jeglertz, and City are living up to the potential so far.

City are leading many attacking statistics this season, including 31 big chances created, nine more than any other WSL side.

They also have the most shots on target per match (6.9), the highest xG of any team (17.4) and also win the possession in the final third 9.4 times per game.

Manchester City have won six WSL games on the bounce

West Ham and Liverpool face unwanted history

West Ham and Liverpool are still pointless after Matchday 7 of the Women’s Super League, albeit Liverpool have played one game fewer.

The Hammers are already cemented a place in the 10 worst starts in WSL history with seven straight defeats. Liverpool will join the list if they fail to beat Brighton this weekend.

They still have some way to go to catch Yeovil Town’s 12 straight defeats at the start of a WSL season in the 2017-18 campaign.

However, neither West Ham or Liverpool are showing any signs of improvement and are facing potential relegation. However, even if they finish bottom of the table, they would still face a relegation playoff with a WSL2 side due to the WSL’s expansion next season.

If West Ham can’t beat Leicester at home this weekend, it will be tough to see where the Hammers next pick up a victory.

Liverpool face a tricky test against Brighton at home, and will feel they should have more points on the board this season.

The Reds conceded late goals in defeats to London City Lionesses and Manchester City, were drawing 1-1 with Tottenham and lost to a Leicester City side who had been reduced to 10 players.

Arsenal vs Chelsea headlines WSL this weekend

Arsenal could stop Chelsea’s incredible unbeaten run and close their gap to the champions to two points if they beat Chelsea at the Emirates Stadium on Sunday.

Both Manchester clubs will have an eye on the game, as they too could jump Chelsea in the WSL. United host Aston Villa on Saturday, while City travel to Everton the following day.

Liverpool and West Ham will look to take their first victories of the WSL season in home clashes against Brighton and Leicester City, respectively.

The final game of the weekend sees sixth-placed London City Lionesses host fourth-placed Tottenham.