There have been questions about Arsenal's ability to develop young players signed from elsewhere, as there have been several examples of them not doing so effectively in recent times.
In 2022, the Gunners signed Brazil international Gio Queiroz from Barcelona, who was then just 19 years old, but she couldn't make her mark, despite scoring nine goals in 16 games in a loan spell at Madrid CFF. A year later, Kathrine Kuhl, also 19, would sign from Nordsjaelland, where her performances established her a place in the Denmark team. However, she too failed to really break into the Arsenal team and would leave after two years. Rosa Kafaji is in danger of following suit. The talented Sweden playmaker signed for the Gunners in 2024 but spent last year on loan at Brighton, having struggled for opportunities in north London.
That said, Smilla Holmberg has made a real impact since joining in January and Arsenal fans will hope that Baum's development at the club follows a similar trend to hers, rather than those previous examples. There's reason to believe that it will, too. Baum should get her opportunities followingthe departure of Mead to Man City, which has opened up a spot in that winger department. Slegers tends to rotate her wide players plenty as well, both game-by-game and also during matches, which should allow Baum to be exposed to the level of the Women's Super League and Champions League at a steady pace, while still making the impactshe is already capable of.