Arsenal ladies are getting ready for the new season.

Here we bring you a roundup of what’s been happening over the past seven days in the world of Arsenal LFC.

 

News

Shirt numbers

Arsenal.com has updated the players squad numbers with the new players being assigned their favourite numbers whenever possible.

For example, Jemma Rose has kept the number 19 she wore at Bristol. Rose wears it as a nod to her grandad.

Niamh Fahey was the previous shirt owner.

Lianne Sanderson picked up number seven previously worn by Shinobu Ohno. She used to wear the number nine in her previous stint with the club.

Natalia Sanchon has taken the number 17 shirt previously owned by Turid Knaak and Katie Chapman before.

Freda Ayisi has now taken number 18. She was previously number 24.

Here are the current squad list as per Arsenal.com

1. Emma Byrne

2. Alex Scott

3. Emma Mitchell

5. Casey Stoney

7. Lianne Sanderson

8. Jordan Nobbs

9. Danielle Carter

10. Kelly Smith

11. Rachel Yankey

14. Leah Williamson

15. Siobhan Chamberlain

17. Natalia Sanchon

18. Freda Ayisi

19. Jemma Rose

20. Caroline Weir

25. Jade Bailey

There has been no update on new signing Vicky Losada‘s squad number as well as youngsters Vyan Sampson, Carla Humphrey and Taome Oliver who were wearing the 26, 27 and 28 shirts last season.

Pre-season friendlies

Arsenal played Aston Villa in a pre-season friendly at Stton Coldfield FC on Sunday.

Their first official friendly of pre-season, Arsenal drew the game 1-1 with the goal scored by Chloe Kelly, an England u17 international.

Playing a young side, Arsenal were missing seven players who were on international duty [moer on that below].

Aston Villa are currently a WSL second division side.

FA Cup

The WSL 1 sides all enter the Cup in the fifth Round on the 22nd of March (except Sunderland as their FA Cup tie will be the first official game for the season 2015).

The draw for the fifth round will be made on 9th March.

In what would be a massive statement, it is rumoured that the FA Cup final will be played at Wembley this year on 1st August.

It would the first ever FA Women’s Cup final to be played there.

Development side

The development side were at home to League leaders Chelsea Ladies on Sunday, securing a 2-2 draw a thanks to a brace from Evie Clarke.

The game also saw new signing Fransesca Boggi make her debut.

Center Of Excellence U17

The U17 won their cup quarter-final against Hampshire FA  by 8 (eight) goals  to  nil.

They will now face either Birmingham, Liverpool or Aston Villa in the semi-finals.

International call-ups

England seniors

Alex Scott, Siobhan Chamberlain, Casey Stoney, Lianne Sanderson, Jordan Nobbs were all called up by England.

They will play a friendly against the USA on Friday the 13th February at MK Dons.

Scotland Seniors

Emma Mitchell and Caroline Weir played an international friendly in Northern Ireland with Weir getting on the scoresheet twice as they won 4-0.

England U23

Danielle Carter and Jemma Rose will play in the Four Nations tournament from 24th of Feb to the 3rd of March.

England U17

Chloe Kelly is one of the numerous Arsenal player called up for the tri nations tournament  to be played  against France and Germany from the 16th to the 20th of February.

pedro losa delighted