Arsenal have been forced to take action on social media following a “disgusting” reaction to their new women’s signing, Smilla Holmberg. Sweden has long been one of women’s football’s most reliable talent factories, and the Gunners were delighted to announce on Monday that they had tied the 19-year-old defender to a long-term contract from Hammarby IF.
Holmberg went on to make 96 appearances for the club after making her debut at just 15, scoring 10 goals, winning the Swedish league title in 2023, and lifting the Swedish Cup in both 2023 and 2025. “It’s always been my dream to play for Arsenal,” the teenager said, also highlighting how special it was to sign for the reigning Champions League winners.
However, while women’s football is often celebrated as one of the most inclusive circles in the sporting world, Arsenal were forced to turn off comments on their announcement posts for Holmberg’s signing across both Instagram and X. As one of the most marketable clubs in the game, the Gunners regularly generate millions of views - but this time, those posts were infiltrated by a wave of disgraceful sexist remarks.
Smilla Holmberg
The teenager sent a cheery message to fans from inside Arsenal’s dressing room and revealed she couldn’t wait to put on the famous red shirt upon signing her contract. Holmberg said (see the X announcement post below): “Hey Gooners. I’m at the Emirates and I can’t wait to get started. Come on you Gunners.”
What should have been a moment of celebration quickly turned vile, with nine-cap international Holmberg subjected to incomprehensible sexism across several online posts that were intended simply to mark a milestone in her burgeoning career. Arsenal work with data science company Signify Group, using its specialist Threat Matrix service to support their efforts in combating targeted online abuse.
And it saw the Gunners eventually turn off the comments section, with the negativity eventually giving way to support for the youngster, as one X user wrote: "Just now seeing all the Smilla stuff... so so disgusting. Not to be deep, but genuinely, how can we continue to live as a people when so many subhuman cretins roam around here too? Absolutely horrid", while a second added:
"The way men have reacted to the Smilla Holmberg transfer is disappointing but not surprising. I hope she doesn’t see any of this."
Elsewhere, another user concluded: "The stuff that has happened with the Smilla Holmberg announcement video is a disgrace." Luckily, the Swede should have more than enough support during her time in north London, and her new manager was also quick to heap praise on the ambition shown through her signing.
Renee Slegers Hails Ambitious Holmberg Acquistion
Arsenal women manager Renee Slegers
Adding to the rave reviews of Arsenal's new right-back, manager Renee Slegers remarked: “We’re thrilled to welcome Smilla to the club. She’s a very talented young defender who brings versatility and athleticism, with so much potential for development. I’m looking forward to work with her as we aim for more trophies together.”
Having won their second Champions League title last season, the Gunners currently sit third in the Women's Super League. But while they are eight points adrift of league leaders Manchester City, they undoubtedly have the talent at their disposal to find much more success in coming years, with Holmberg greeted by a changing room that boasts the likes of Leah Williamson, Mariona Caldentey, Chloe Kelly, and Olivia Smith.
Indeed, Holmberg's new beginning has got off on the wrong footing. But there may be no better place to call home right now in women's football than Arsenal, who are making far more significant strides than any other club to ensure everyone connected to the club is supported - and time should prove that notion beyond doubt.