Beth Mead: Arsenal forward pleased with ruthless form ahead of season-defining games against Chelsea and Tottenham

Arsenal have hit their stride. The Gunners 11-game unbeaten run in the Women's Super League is their best stretch since 2022. It's come at the opportune time to reap the rewards of a season that risked petering out not so long ago.

A lot of Arsenal's recent success has been down to individuals upping their game; Chloe Kelly scored a hat-trick at the weekend having previously not found the net in the league since October. But there is also a feeling among observers that Arsenal have been subtly building towards peak.

Given their WSL title charge had faltered by Christmas because of a superfluous amount of draws, few have been paying attention to the Gunners' steady rise. As excitement diverts north to Manchester City's likely first crown for a decade, Arsenal have been left to their own devices.

The ability to fly under the radar is not usually afforded to a club so synonymous with winning but such has been City's dominance, few others have had a look in. There are obvious advantages to it being this way; it takes the pressure off.