The Women’s Super League season will open with Arsenal versus Manchester City, as both teams look to finally end Chelsea’s grip on the title. Now Emma Hayes has left Chelsea to coach the U.S. Women’s National Team, there is a sense that this is the best opportunity yet to dethrone the most successful team of the WSL era.
Arsenal and City made strong starts to the transfer window, indicating a desire to be well-prepared by the time of the season opener on September 22: Arsenal have signed Mariona Caldentey from Barcelona, while City moved quickly to secure Vivianne Miedema from Arsenal.
For Jonas Eidevall and Gareth Taylor, head coaches of Arsenal and Manchester City respectively, there is a question mark over how long they can justify being in their jobs without winning the league. Taylor can at least point to his second-place finish last season, missing out on the title on goal difference, but for Eidevall, two successive third-place finishes where his team have been well adrift of the title race means the pressure is on.
GO DEEPER
WSL 2024-25 fixtures: Arsenal host Man City on opening weekend
The mutual decision by club and player to not renew Miedema’s contract took some by surprise, but it has long been clear that the all-time WSL top goalscorer was not suited to the…
