Rosa Kafaji signed for Arsenal in the summer of 2024, joining from BK Häcken, where she was the top scorer in the 2023/2024 season with 15 goals. The Swedish forward was considered one of the clubs’ most exciting signings. Though only 21 years old, she had already proven at BK Häcken that she was ready for the next step in her career.
Time to adjust and get to know the team
Kafaji signed a long-term contract with Arsenal and was very excited to get started: “It feels amazing to join this club – I’m so happy to be here,” said Rosa. “I had a very good feeling after speaking to Jonas and Clare and it just feels right to be at Arsenal. I’m hungry to keep growing and I know this is the right place for me to do that and compete for the biggest trophies. I can’t wait to get started and walk out at Emirates Stadium in front of all our supporters.”
Since joining the Gunners, Kafaji has played in ten games, totaling 123 minutes and scoring one goal. She is a versatile player with a lot of pace and quick feet to link the play up front but she did not get the chance to showcase her abilities this WSL season.
Is there no place for her under Renée Slegers?
Some players take longer than others to adjust to a new team, but a talent like Kafaji might have been expected to feature more – especially in matches that were comfortably won by Arsenal.
Slegers was often asked about Kafaji’s limited game time over the past months. In a recent response, she said: “Rosa is a great player, young player talented player with huge potential. At the moment, with the availability in our squad, we have so many good players available, so it’s a lot of decisions for us to make around selection.
“We believe in Rosa for now and for the future, and sometimes young players have to have a little bit of patience and worked really hard, and then the chances will come.” [Source: Tom Maher]
After the 4-2 loss to Brighton & Hove Albion on MD 21, Slegers confirmed that Kafaji was “fit for selection” but didn’t make the squad. Over the next weeks, it will become clear whether Kafaji will remain patient, go out on loan to get more minutes – which is important at her age – or consider a move away.