The first phase of Arsenal Women’s transfer business is complete- that is to say, the transfers they had been working on before the end of last season. Most of these have been free transfers- the majority of transfers in women’s football tend to be free transfers. Now we get to the part of the market for paid transfers (though Lisa Baum was a paid transfer) and when market opportunities start to arise.
The team will return to pre-season training next week and most WSL clubs will operate on similar timelines. Returning to pre-season also tends to be a trigger for transfer business as players return, engage in dialogue with their coaches and plans for the new season begin to take shape. This will often lead to some players not really liking their roles ahead of the new season and looking for moves.
That is especially true in a pre World Cup season and we will start to see these factors driving the market in the coming weeks. The NWSL transfer window also re-opens this week which will drive some activity in the European market too. Arsenal have waved goodbye to Manu Zinsberger, Laia Codina, Beth Mead, Katie McCabe and Victoria Pelova and have signed Georgia Stanway, Geraldine Reuteler, Lisa Baum and Selina Cerci so far this summer. So what now?
**DEPARTURES**
Well, first of all, there are a couple more departures to take care of. Rosa Kafaji returned from her loan spell at Brighton and with Reuteler and Baum among Arsenal’s summer signings, it is difficult to see a space for her. Since Renee Slegers took the reins, Kafaji has not really had a look in and I wouldn’t expect that to change now. A new club for the 23-year-old Swede and a good fee for Arsenal seems to be the best conclusion for all.
Likewise, Jenna Nighswonger has returned from her loan spell at Aston Villa. There was an option to buy included in that deal which Villa have opted not to take up. With Ona Batlle among the summer signings (she was also allocated Nighswonger’s 22 shirt) and Taylor Hinds and Smilla Holmberg added in the last 12 months, there is no obvious space for Nighswonger in the squad.
Her signing has represented a failure of process on Arsenal’s part and Jenna needs to find a new club for the sake of her career too. The re-opening of the NWSL window could be key there. The Kafaji signing has not worked out but that is more understandable given Arsenal changed managers shortly after she was signed. Signing young players has a lot more error bars than signing senior players. Both Kafaji and Nighswonger will likely leave in the coming weeks.
There is also the question about what to do with Michelle Agyemang next season. She is still recovering from an ACL injury so it makes sense to see how her recovery continues over the summer before making any firm decisions there. With Russo, Blackstenius and Cerci on board, there are three strikers in the senior squad. There is a decision to make there for Michelle.
**INCOMINGS**
Arsenal’s final signing last summer was confirmed on 17 July. They made a late move for Geraldine Reuteler which didn’t eventuate (well, not until this summer!) I do not take for granted that a lot more will happen (which is purely speculation on my part and not information). However, I think Arsenal need to do more business yet. The squad was too small last season and I think that was exposed.
I am expecting a third goalkeeper to arrive now that Williams and Votikova have left. Top of my personal list is a left-sided centre-back. In Williamson, Catley, Reid and Wubben-Moy I don’t really think Arsenal are short on quality or numbers per se. However, Williamson has struggled with injury over the last two seasons and Reid has not played since rupturing her ACL last October, so I certainly understand reservations over numbers.
Personally, I am more preoccupied with profiles. Steph Catley has done an amazing job as a left-sided centre-back and I fully expect her to be a big senior player again this season. But she will turn 33 next season. I think some future proofing is required and if Ona Batlle is going to play at left-back, I think having a left-footed centre-half is even more important. Arsenal still also lack height if Reid doesn’t play.
Beyond that, there are probably two more signings in the ‘nice to have’ category. I think you could make an argument for one more central midfielder to add to Little, Stanway, Reuteler, Mariona and Cooney-Cross- maybe a young ‘project’ central midfielder. Personally, I would also love another wide attacker if a good one is available up on the market. Arsenal have been ‘in the mix’ for Salma Paralleulo but I currently don’t know how that situation will shake out.
Kelly, Foord, Smith and Baum represent a good, varied group but I think we’ve seen in recent seasons that injury to one of the wide players (which always, always seems to happen) has a really deleterious impact on the group. The aim is to use four wide players in each game and Arsenal just haven’t been able to do that for years now. I would love another senior wide player.
Overall, if Arsenal did one piece of business out of two between ‘young project central midfielder’ and ‘one more quality wide player’ I would be broadly happy. No club in history has gone into a season with a totally perfect squad. But you try to do as much as you can. The next six weeks or so are going to be very interesting across women’s football.