Tottenham’s strong start to the Women’s Super League season continued on Sunday as Martin Ho’s side earned a hard-fought 0-0 draw against local rivals Arsenal.
Level on points with the Gunners, with five wins from nine matches and the most clean sheets in the league, Spurs look a transformed team.
A record crowd of 6,788 at Brisbane Road watched Spurs frustrate Arsenal for only the third time in 12 WSL meetings, a result that underlined Tottenham’s growing maturity under Ho.
“It doesn’t suddenly make us a great team just because we got a point against Arsenal,” Ho said afterwards.
“Consistency is what matters. Yes, we’ve started well, but being level with Arsenal isn’t enough—we want to go higher.”
Tottenham have enjoyed standout moments in recent years-reaching their first Women’s FA Cup final in 2024 among them-but have struggled to build sustained success.
Last season’s underwhelming league campaign ultimately cost former manager Robert Vilahamn his job, prompting the club to overhaul its approach.
Ho arrived with a new coaching team, and the club reshaped its recruitment strategy around specific needs. Investment off the pitch increased too, including sports science, nutrition, and leadership development.
Chief executive Vinai Venkatesham, formerly of Arsenal, has also helped drive the women’s team’s priorities at board level.
The result is a stronger, more cohesive Spurs side that reflects Ho’s cultural and tactical vision.
“You have to deliver this level of performance every game,” Ho added.
“We’re human—mistakes will happen—but if we keep playing like this, we can really push.”
Tottenham’s progress was clear on the pitch.
They competed fiercely in midfield, with Cathinka Tandberg providing a strong link in attack and summer signing Toko Koga standing out once again in defence.
Rather than sitting back, Spurs showed courage in possession and intelligence without it.
They challenged Arsenal’s Champions League-level talent and managed the game maturely in the closing stages.
Arsenal’s recent slump-three games without a win-did not change the fact that Spurs entered the match as underdogs. But they played as equals.
“Every game now, we have to be competitive,” Ho said.
“I don’t want Spurs to be a team that backs off the top sides. We’ve come a long way, but we have to stay focused and grounded.”
Last season’s struggles—finishing second-bottom with only 20 points—still linger in the background.
But with 16 points already from nine matches and just one point separating them from Champions League-chasing Manchester United, optimism is building.
Ho knows, however, that the squad will need reinforcing in January.
“We want to bring in different profiles and strengthen areas where we’re light,” he explained.
“If we want to compete at the top and across all competitions, we need greater depth.”
With performances like their draw against Arsenal, Spurs also hope to grow support around the team.
“The fans don’t expect perfection,” Ho said.
“They want energy, effort, desire. If we show that, more people will come, and more will stay.”
