Arsenal are set to sign Spain international goalkeeper Misa Rodríguez following her departure from Real Madrid, according to Andrea Peláez Marzo.
The move would bring one of the most experienced goalkeepers in Spanish football to north London and give Misa her first experience of club football outside her home country. After six seasons at Real Madrid, where she became both the club’s first captain and its all-time appearance leader, the goalkeeper appears ready for a different challenge.
Transfer Snapshot
Player: Misa Rodríguez
Position: Goalkeeper
Potential Club: Arsenal
Previous Club: Real Madrid
Nationality: Spain
Transfer Status: Reported
Why Leave Real Madrid?
Misa’s departure from Real Madrid was already expected following the expiration of her contract. What remained unclear was where she would continue her career.
Leaving Madrid was not a decision driven by a lack of opportunities. Misa was one of the most important figures in the squad and a player closely associated with the club’s development since its formation. She surpassed 200 appearances during the 2025/26 season and leaves as the player with more appearances than anyone else in Real Madrid Femenino history.
Instead, this move appears to be about experiencing a different environment and testing herself in a new league. Speaking earlier this year, Misa openly discussed the appeal of playing abroad and experiencing another football culture. Arsenal now appears to be the destination that has convinced her.
What Type Of Goalkeeper Is Arsenal Getting?
Misa Rodríguez has been one of the most recognisable goalkeepers in Liga F for several years.
Her game is built on strong reflexes, athleticism and an ability to make important saves during high-pressure moments. Throughout her time at Real Madrid, she regularly faced some of Europe’s strongest attacking teams in both domestic and continental competition.
Goalkeepers often develop through exposure to difficult situations, and Misa has spent years playing in high-profile matches against Barcelona, Atlético Madrid and Europe’s elite clubs in the UEFA Women’s Champions League.
Rodríguez will have to compete directly with current first-choice goalkeeper Daphne van Domselaar and Anneke Borbe for a place in Arsenal’s starting XI.
What Does This Mean For Arsenal?
The most immediate question is how Misa Rodríguez fits into Arsenal’s goalkeeping group. Reports suggest she will join a department that already includes Daphne van Domselaar and Anneke Borbe, creating increased competition for places. That competition is unlikely to be viewed negatively by Arsenal.
Elite clubs rarely rely on a single goalkeeper option. Injuries, fixture congestion and fluctuations in form make depth increasingly important, particularly for teams competing domestically and in Europe.
For Arsenal, adding a goalkeeper with Misa’s experience provides another high-level option and strengthens a position where quality can be decisive over the course of a season.
A World Cup Season Adds Another Dimension
Timing also matters. The 2026/27 campaign will be the final full club season before the 2027 Women’s World Cup in Brazil. For international players, regular football becomes especially important during that period.
Misa rRodríguez ecently returned to the Spain squad under Sonia Bermúdez and will want to remain firmly in contention for World Cup selection. Any move this summer was therefore likely to be judged not only on sporting ambition but also on playing opportunities.
Why It Matters
Misa leaves Real Madrid as the club’s all-time appearance leader and first captain, but there will be no guaranteed starting role waiting for her in London. Arsenal already have Daphne van Domselaar as their established number one, meaning Rodríguez has chosen competition rather than certainty. With the 2027 World Cup approaching, earning minutes in one of Europe’s strongest squads will be her next challenge.