Arsenal's Champions League triumph has ended a north London trophy drought and elevated squad confidence after years of domestic underachievement. The club last won the Women's Super League six years ago despite League Cup victories in 2023 and 2024. Significant investment includes a world-record fee for Olivia Smith and a squad featuring five European champions for club and country after England's Switzerland win. The primary challenge is achieving consistency across four competitions to unseat Chelsea's WSL dominance. Manager Renee Slegers is credited with assembling and guiding the team, though Leah Williamson will miss the campaign start following knee surgery. Domestic success remains the immediate objective.
Just how impactful can a stunning Champions League win be on the psychology of a team that has struggled to challenge domestically in recent years? We are about to find out. Arsenal's battling run to Lisbon and subsequent victory over Barcelona ended a north London trophy drought, yet it has still been six years since the most decorated women's team in England won a Women's Super League title.
For the latest challenge they boast players riding high on the crest of a trophy-laden wave, with five European champions for club and country in their squad following England's triumph in Switzerland. The key is finding consistency across the four competitions that have eluded them in recent years. Renee Slegers' squad has been strengthened, with the world-record fee paid for Olivia Smith a real statement of intent.
It has, however, also suffered the blow of Leah Williamson being ruled out for the start of the campaign following a knee procedure. Arsenal have for some time weathered accusations that they can sell out crowds but can't win trophies. May's glory in Lisbon has quashed that narrative, but the onus is on them now to deliver domestic success. All the ingredients for success are there and, in Slegers, they have a manager clearly capable of bringing them together and cooking up a treat.
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