Women’s Super League: talking points from the weekend’s action

Record crowd but worrying defeat for Arsenal, VAR questions at Chelsea and encouraging starts for Leicester and BrightonArsenal may not be winning on the pitch but they’re winning off it. The Gunners broke the WSL attendance record for a third time with the 54,115 fans at the Emirates Stadium for their 1-0 defeat to Liverpool on Sunday. Arsenal are mastering the art of bringing the supporter base on board with watching the women’s team; the marketing and ticketing teams deserve a huge amount of credit for the numbers coming through the turnstiles. Meanwhile across London, Chelsea could only muster 14,776 for their 2-1 victory over Tottenham. It is staggering that the reigning champions, bidding for a fifth consecutive league title and with a squad stacked with international superstars, cannot get fans to show out in force. Ticket prices rising, with some as high as £50, and the later Sunday kick-off may have impacted numbers. However, there is more to do to build crowds worthy of Emma Hayes’ side. Suzanne Wrack Continue reading...