Brighton striker Danielle Carter believes Arsenal and Chelsea are nailed on for a top-three WSL finish while the third position will be up for grabs between the two certain teams.
The Women's Super League has kicked off in some style following the Lionesses' success at the European Championship over the summer. Arsenal and Manchester United are the only two sides remaining with perfect starts as both are expected to maintain those 100 per cent records this weekend when they take on Everton and West Ham Women respectively.
“Well I am still an Arsenal fan, so Arsenal to win the league," she exclusively told The Mirror. “This is still the start of the season, so it’s very difficult to predict what the final standings will be besides Arsenal, Chelsea and [Manchester] United having started well, so I think it will be between one of the Manchester clubs to finish in the top three."
Current title holders and record five-time Champions Chelsea suffered an opening day shock at Liverpool Women in what turned out to be a bizarre contest which saw only penalty goals scored. Since that opening day set-back at Prenton Park, the Blues, now temporarily without manager Emma Hayes who is recovering from a hysterectomy in her battle with endometriosis , are now back on track in all competitions as demonstrated by the gritty result last weekend against Brighton and then the most recent UEFA Women's Champions League thumping of Vllaznia in midweek.
Just below the west Londoners sit the two surprise packages of Everton and West Ham, both whom have undergone a major transformation off the pitch in the summer, under the guidance of Brian Sorensen and Paul Konchesky respectively. Man City, who started the season relatively slow following two successive away defeats, have now bounced back and now look like a scary opponent to face with all of Chloe Kelly, Lauren Hemp and current top scorer Bunny Shaw starting to gel into a formidable force for Gareth Taylor's side.
Moving further down the table and the likes of Tottenham and Brighton have had mixed starts to 2022/23 but both are expected to survive the drop whilst the relegation battle looks like being between Reading and Leicester City. The pair face off this weekend at the Select Car Leasing Stadium in what already feels like a six-pointer at this early stage. Liverpool, who have struggled with injuries in recent weeks amid Leanne Kiernan and Shanice Van de Sanden woes, could be drawn into that battle if Matt Beard cannot start trying to find the required consistency.
“In terms of Reading, they have had a tougher start but we have taken points off them but like I said, It’s still very early days," Carter outlined in regards to the relegation picture.
Back on her former club who are aiming to win their 16th league title in their history, the biggest transformation yet has been just how Jonas Eidevall has instilled a fresh belief and confidence into the Gunners since Joe Montemurro left the club. Not only the array of signings made like a Lina Hurtig, Frida Maanum or Stina Blackstenius, all of which have made a huge impact already but also other changes off the pitch that have gone on behind the scenes.
But when asked for comment on what she believes has gone on, former Arsenal striker Carter wanted to keep her cards close to her chest on this occasion.
She added: “You will have to ask the Arsenal players that. I’ve got inside knowledge but that’s not for me to say.”
