For Arsenal, the challenge is rarely about talent. The question is whether they can put together the kind of relentless run that wins a championship over a full season.
That is the difference between contending and finishing the job. In the WSL, dropped points early can echo all the way into spring.
An opener against Brighton might look straightforward on paper, but season openers rarely behave that way. Rhythm is still forming, new partnerships are still bedding in, and expectation can weigh heavily on the side carrying the bigger target.
Brighton are the sort of opponent who can make life awkward if Arsenal start slowly. That makes the first half almost as important as the result itself: tempo, authority and defensive calm will all be under the spotlight.
If Arsenal are to improve on previous near-misses, players like Caldentey could be decisive. She appears well suited to matches where control, composure and big-game instincts matter as much as flair. Alongside established leaders such as Wubben-Moy, she gives Arsenal a stronger look in those pressure moments that define title races.
The next storyline is simple: can Arsenal Women open with the authority of genuine contenders? Against Brighton on September 6, the performance may matter almost as much as the points.