Arsenal head into the 2022/23 campaign having narrowly missed out on the WSL title by a single point on the final day of last season.
The Gunners have retained key players and made a couple of additions to their squad ahead of Jonas Eidevall's second season in charge.
Can they wrestle the WSL title out of Chelsea's hands and be crowned champions of England for the first time since 2019? Here's 90min's WSL season preview for Arsenal.
How to watch Arsenal Women on TV
Arsenal Women key players 2022/23
Star player
Arsenal have an assortment of world class talent at their disposal, but their talisman is Vivianne Miedema.
The forward is the WSL's all-time top scorer with 74 goals in just five seasons in the English top flight. Having spent her first four-and-a-half years with the Gunners as a central striker, Miedema was often deployed as a number 10 during the second half of the 2021/22 campaign, utilising her tendency to drop deep and spray passes.
Renowned for her ability to glide across the pitch, her ice cool composure in front of goal and her lack of goal celebration, she is among the best in the world. Miedema committing her future to Arsenal this summer when her contract was up in June was arguably the Gunners' most important piece of transfer business.
One to watch
Arsenal fans were only treated to glimpses of Lauren Wienroither last term following her January arrival from Hoffenheim, but she could make a real impression this year during her first full season in the WSL.
The right back thoroughly impressed at Euro 2022 as an Austria side built on defensive robustness reached the quarter finals. Dogged and resilient, she kept the usually destructive Lauren Hemp quiet, and is also an asset going forward.
Arsenal Women manager
Prior to taking the Arsenal hot seat in 2021, Jonas Eidevall previously coached in his native Sweden, where he won three league titles with Rosengard. The Gunners boss boasts a dry sense of humour - he spent a February press conference speaking in great depth about pancake day - and is a passionate touchline celebrator.
He narrowly missed out on the WSL title during his debut season in England, and speaking to 90min in February, Beth Mead admitted the Arsenal squad believed Eidevall was 'building something very special' at the club.
Arsenal Women summer transfers
In
- Kaylan Marckese (GK) - HB Koge - details
- Lina Hurtig (FW) - Juventus - details
Out
- Tobin Heath (FW) - OL Reign - details
- Kim Little (MF) - OL Reign - loan - details
- Lisa Evans (FW) - West Ham - details
- Viktoria Schnaderbeck (DF) - released
- Halle Houssein (MF) - West Ham - details
- Hermine Cull (GK) - London City Lionesses
- Lydia Williams (GK) - PSG
- Anna Patten (DF) - Aston Villa - loan
- Alex Hennessy (FW) - West Ham
- Keira Flannery (MF) - West Ham
- Simone Boye Sorensen (DF) - Hammarby
- Nikita Parris (FW) - Man Utd - details
- Fran Stenson (GK) - Birmingham - loan
It's been minimal tinkering from Eidevall ahead of the new season, after Arsenal just missed out on the WSL title last term and recruited reasonably heavily in January. Forward Lina Hurtig is a top class addition following the departures of Nikita Parris and Tobin Heath. Keeping hold of Miedema was the Gunners' biggest piece of business of the summer - although not bringing in a lack of defensive midfield cover for the instrumental Lia Walti could be cause for concern.
Arsenal Women WSL history
Arsenal are the most successful team in English women's football, having been crowned champions of England on 15 occasions. They are the second most successful side in WSL history, with three titles to their name - most recently in 2019. Arsenal have only failed to finish in the WSL's top three on one occasion.
2011: 1st
2012: 1st
2013: 3rd
2014: 4th
2015: 3rd
2016: 3rd
2017 (Spring Series): 3rd
2017/18: 3rd
2018/19: 1st
2019/20: 3rd
2020/21: 3rd
2021/22: 2nd
Arsenal WSL prediction
Arsenal missed out on the WSL title last term after stuttering in January - a much depleted side suffered a shock loss to bottom club Birmingham, and this was a bitter blow to their title chances.
Another season under the guidance of the astute Eidevall should stand them in good stead, and the signing of Hurtig has added greater attacking depth. The Gunners are more than capable of lifting the WSL title this term - but the sheer strength of reigning champions Chelsea could be their downfall, given the number of world class signings the Blues have made this summer.
