WSL is back! What we learned from Chelsea, Arsenal opinions

2025-26 Women’s Super League (VSL) The season is underway and initiates, and in some style, with the ruling champions Chelsea and Champions League owners Arsenal Lighting the first two matches of the new campaign.

Chelsea picked up where they stopped at the end of last season – as a relentless winning machine. Blues asked domestic high trophies without losing one game last tenure and maintained coach Sonia Bompastastor 100% record with a 2-1 win Manchester City At Stamford Bridg on Friday night.

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The European Champions Arsenal took place on Saturday, come from the goal to win London City Lionesses 4-1 At Emirates Stadium. The newly promoted side of Michelle Kang showed the size of their ambition with a number of summer signing of a big name, but it was an arsenal arrival of great money Olivia Smith Who shone because the weapons began the tension of the title with thick.

Here’s what we learned from the first games of two teams that could hurt him at the top of the VSL table this season.

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Chelsea reminded MAN, the rest of the VSL why they were no. 1

Aggie Beever-Jones Unnecessary Blues’ Final aim at Stamford Bridge last season to conclude his domestic gender campaign and 21-year-old, fresh than triumph with euros EnglandThe opening goal of this term was unencumbered.

In the end it was comfortable performance for Chelsea, adding another goal through Maika Hamano before a Niamh Charles The own goal is tied up by one city door.

Despite injuries and pressure that the team was winning the invincible domestic season, a total and three trophies were won in 2024-25, it was seamless and smooth shown from the ruling VSL champions. Although there were several flakes, several passages and some areas that Bompastastaster admitted that she wanted to edit, it couldn’t be much better as an open game for Chelsea.

There was a handball penalty Gracie before Who did not admit that the bompastor had to count. Judge, Emily Heaslip, did not pick him up without VAR, something that the French coach believes that it should be in a woman’s game – there was no opportunity for appeal. It is a frustration that teams will need to be perfected once again, because at any time there are no plans for the introduction of technology.

Ellie CarpenterAt her debut, he pointed exactly why Chelsea had severely strengthened her signature. Despite the fact that her first game, she is controlled and fast and was involved in the accumulation of both targets. Most of the chelsea threats came on the right, where the carpenter could press tall and crossed into space to create another problem for the city.

This was a chatter of contrast cities using the hips in the coach and the first competitive competitiveness game. Lily Murphy Failed to influence any impact before breaking down with a shoulder injury over stopping time, while Alex Greenwood (who also went wounded) was looking at and out of tempo. Lauren HempHe sent to the right, not her preferred left wing, managed to cross the back on his back on his back, although she failed to inflict the result. Despite the city, entering positive spaces and looks creative, they lacked cutting and edge, and their game on construction often results in possession loss. Since its 17 shots – compared to eight – only five – only five were target. Prolific Forvard Khadia “Bunni” Shav was predominantly quiet, leaving a city without a clear attacking threat.

The city is strongly changed from the last season, with new signatures Jade rose and Sidney Lohmann making their debuts. Grace ClintonArrival on deadline Manchester Unitednot available. But Vera Beneisigned before an impressive euro campaign with the hosts Switzerlandgot off the bench and looked the peak.

There were problems with the passage and retention of possession, as well as some concerns, with Murphy and Vivianne Miedema They often move in the same areas. This is the first time that this team played together and it will take several games at least before the team operates as imperceptible as opponents on Friday. Plus, a few key absences (Aoba Fujino, Rebecca Knaak and Kerolin) will facilitate the strain after being available again.

It is impossible to judge what the Season of 22 Games matches will look like, but the opening was a display of intentions for Chelsea, who are eager to keep their homework. Despite new people and new challenges, it is the same ruthless team. It was a positive beginning of a man Citia while looking to rebuild after the last season of turbulence, but they will need to correct their mistakes to avoid the title race run away from them.

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Arsenal Give London City Leater Life in VSL

After the joy of promotion last season, there will always be a sharp call for awakening for the City of London. After all, they faced the ruling European champions to eject their Inaugural Campaign in VSL. But that didn’t start like that.

London City had the upper hand for the first 15 minutes and took premature through Kosovar Asllaniwho pulled out the punishment Katie Reid and despatched from myself from a place. It was just a reward for fearless way a visitors’ way to take the match in their own hosts.

With which coach, Jocelin Precheur failed to be used, capitalized on their punch. Instead, the early goal woke up Arsenal. Instead of forcibly return, the weapon was allowed to build pressure and settle into the game.

That pressure was released with a stunning goal of summer signing Olivia Smith – the first player 1 million pounds in a woman’s game – which worked around the edge of the box to spread his marker and rocket the strike in the upper corner. Then, at the time of stopping the first half, Chloe Kelly He finished a well-compiled team goal for Arsenal to give lead.

They were also spreading. Victoria Pelova missed two great chances and Alessia Russo The surface of a clear chance of adding a goal to mark its new long-term contract. They will put other teams on warning as areas to punish the arsenal. The lack of concentration at the beginning and only the hitting targets with half of their chances shows that, despite the European celebration last season, there are still gaps on this arsenal page that requires correction. With more time, the London city will know how to use them.

It is enough to take place from the opening of the City of London. United Roffee21-year-old Nigeria Defender looked strongly and smart against the dangerous Arsenal attack. Isobel Goodwin It is incredibly hard hard to push Arsenal’s defense and combination Saki Kumagai and Aslvan’s experience meant they were quiet in pressure for a moment.

Background three of Line, Alanna Kennedi and Saki Kumagai – The former two of the summer signatures – had positive moments and in the first half, in the first half, they ruined the Arsenal accumulation play, but eventually annulled Arsenal Arsenal Arsenat Arsen. Wheels went out in the last 10 minutes as well as the two fast fire goals Stina Blackstenius and Frida Maanum kicked out what was a pretty close game. Arsenal, VSL veterans, know how to deepen cracks and as fatigue in the interior, the London city was vulnerable to separate open.

Knowing that he won’t have a lot of balls – Arsenal held 61% possession – a counterattack of London City was not enough or sufficiently precise to hinder the hosts. They built well in the center of the field, but a clear plan or clinical finishing in the last third was missing.

This will be a steep learning curve for Lanese. You first match nerves will face before dealing with Manchester United next week, but that meeting, their first home play in the league will show how quickly they can think of a plan on how to deal with the first three sides.

It is too early to set up your bets in this season, but it was a perfect chance to hit the upper side because Arsenal had a little information about how this team would do on the pure amount of signing, which this team has given that this summer is much summer.

As teams have more to study, they will only become harder. But on the flip side, the more this group can play together, faster can be adjusted to life in the upper level.