Arsenal appear to have found a rhythm at just the right moment. The Gunners’ 11-match unbeaten run in the Women’s Super League — their best sequence since 2022 — has reignited a season that threatened to fizzle out after a midseason dip.
Individual form has played a big part. Chloe Kelly rediscovered her scoring touch with a weekend hat-trick after a lengthy league drought, while others have quietly upped their game as the squad has steadily climbed back into contention. After a run of draws around Christmas drew attention to Manchester City’s title favourites, Arsenal’s gradual improvement went under the radar — a lack of spotlight that has eased pressure on the squad.
Beth Mead, who has battled injuries this season, said the team’s football has been enjoyable since her return earlier this month. Her late goal in the 5-0 victory over West Ham summed up that momentum: aggressive, linked-up attacking play and an on-field coherence that has produced goals. The move that created her finish — a neat exchange with Smilla Holmberg — highlighted the collective improvements that have led to more decisive performances.
That West Ham match saw Arsenal fire 11 shots on target and score five, an unusually high 45 percent conversion rate compared with their season average of just over 12 percent. Mead pointed to a clearer focus on finishing chances as a key change: while Arsenal have long created opportunities, they have become more ruthless at turning them into goals rather than allowing matches to remain open and risk draws.
Under manager Renee Slegers, Arsenal are also European champions and will begin the defence of that crown in a Champions League quarter-final against Chelsea. The domestic rivalry adds extra edge — Mead opened the scoring when Arsenal beat Chelsea in January — and she expects a tight, high-stakes tie. She welcomed the matchup as a test for both teams and for the profile of the women’s game.
Mead’s influence stretches back to last season’s continental triumph, when her decisive pass in the Lisbon final unlocked Barcelona for the winner. Now 30, she tops Arsenal’s assist chart despite making only 10 league starts and ranks near the top for shooting accuracy. Still, she downplays individual stats in favour of team progress and results.
She emphasised a game-by-game mentality: staying focused on tactical preparation and what the team can control. Arsenal remain ambitious across all competitions, with hopes of reaching both the FA Cup and Champions League finals. Slegers’ squad depth and tactical flexibility mean the manager can tweak systems without relinquishing quality, and Mead is likely to be central to those plans.
A pivotal week lies ahead — Chelsea midweek and a north London derby at Tottenham on Saturday, both shown live on Sky Sports — and if Arsenal maintain their current form, they will go into those fixtures with confidence. For Mead, the campaign has reached a defining phase and she clearly believes the team is ready for the challenge.