Women's Super League 21/22: Best goal, team and player so far this season

With an international break forcing a stop to WSL action until early November, GiveMeSportWomen hand out some early-season awards.With Arsenal firing and Manchester City struggling, we round up the many talking points, stars, and moments of magic seen in the first five weeks. There’s been a few, let’s be honest.

Best match so far?

The Manchester Derby had everything - red cards, goals, comebacks. Then there was West Ham who beat Manchester City for the first time in the league, Chelsea’s 6-1 drubbing of Manchester United and Brighton who put five past Birmingham - all of which could have taken the accolade.

Even so, there is no doubt the best game so far was played on opening weekend, when Arsenal beat Chelsea 3-2 at the Emirates Stadium.

In front of 8,000 plus fans, Beth Mead scored twice as Arsenal put in a performance befitting of the title favourite status they would soon gain.

Arsenal and Chelsea battled it out on opening day

Best goal so far - Frida Maanum

Five matches in and already there are some incredible strikes to pick from.

Katie McCabe's cheeky lob, a well-worked move finished by Claire Emslie and any of the Chelsea moves involving Sam Kerr and Fran Kirby could have been chosen.

However, Frida Maanum’s strike is the pick of a very good bunch. Against Everton, the Arsenal midfielder drove forward and emphatically drove the ball into the top corner from about 25 yards out. It was some finish.

Best Team - Arsenal.

Whilst five wins in five matches sees Eidevall’s side deservedly sit top of the table, it has been the nature of the victories that has been the most impressive.

Since beating Chelsea 3-2 on the opening weekend, Arsenal have kept four straight clean sheets and hardly look like conceding.

Eidevall’s style of quick direct transitions and high-pressing were both key in their 5-0 hammering of Manchester City and 4-0 and 3-0 wins over Aston Villa and Everton that followed in quick succession.

Such a demanding tactic means that Arsenal will have to be wary of potential fatigue towards the end of the season.

Still, what's worrying for the rest of the league right now is that no-one has been able to get close to the current leaders. It’s been clinical.

Best Manager - Jonas Eidevall

Not only is his side top of the league, but Eidevall has transformed the way Arsenal play.

Simply, Arsenal are playing quicker and the rest of the league can’t keep up. The midfield has been key to Arsenal moving forward quicker, rather than patiently waiting for openings.

Regardless of a small humbling from Barcelona in the Champions League, Eidevall has already recorded victories against last year's top-two in his first five games in the league.

It's an impressive way to start, but can Arsenal keep it up? I mean right now, they look unbeatable.

Jonas Eidevall has impressed as Arsenal boss

Young player of the year so far - Ella Toone

Ella Toone has impressed under new boss Marc Skinner, who took over following Casey Stoney’s departure in July.

Under Skinner, Manchester United’s No.7 has shown her creative nous. She has scored twice and racked up three assists so far this season.

Toone’s performances caught the eye of England boss Sarina Wiegman, who handed the Manchester United striker her first international start last month.

Best Player - Kim Little

Kim Little has always been good, but it is safe to say she is thriving under Eidevall.

With four goals in Arsenal’s first five matches, Little has found herself on the scoresheet and rightly getting plenty of praise.

Alongside Jordan Nobbs and Maanum, Little has been key to Arsenal’s success on the front foot. To put it simply, domestic sides haven't been able to get close and she has played them off the park with ease.