Arsenal are expected to add another Australian to their ranks this summer with the arrival of Melbourne City captain, Steph Catley.

SYDNEY, AUSTRALIA - JANUARY 21: Stephanie Catley speaks to the media during an Australia Matildas media opportunity at the Intercontinental Double Bay on January 21, 2020 in Sydney, Australia. (Photo by Mark Evans/Getty Images)
SYDNEY, AUSTRALIA – JANUARY 21: Stephanie Catley speaks to the media during an Australia Matildas media opportunity at the Intercontinental Double Bay on January 21, 2020 in Sydney, Australia. (Photo by Mark Evans/Getty Images)

Arsenal’s women’s team are, of course, managed by Aussie Joe Montemurro while forward Caitlin Foord arrived in the winter window. That makes two.

Catley should make it three in the summer if all goes ahead as planned. The problem now, of course, is that nothing can really be planned with any certainty.

At the end of January, Australia’s Herald Sun reported that Catley could be one of ‘the growing cast of Aussies in England’. In addition to Foord arriving at Arsenal, Chelsea have also signed renowned forward, Sam Kerr.

Players from down under are turning out to be as popular in England as $5 and $10 minimum deposit casinos for Aussies, it seems.

Who is Steph Catley?

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NICE, FRANCE – JUNE 22: Steph Catley of Australia in action during the 2019 FIFA Women’s World Cup France Round Of 16 match between Norway and Australia at Stade de Nice on June 22, 2019 in Nice, France. (Photo by Richard Heathcote/Getty Images)

Catley is considered one of the best left-backs in the world and has previously worked under Montemurro when the Gunner’s boss was at Melbourne City.

She turned 26 in January and is currently on the books of Seattle Reign whom she signed for in 2018 from the Orlando Pirates before being sent on loan back to Melbourne. In fact, although she first moved to the States in 2014 to sign for the Portland Thorns, who loaned her out to Melbourne Victory and Melbourne City, Catley played more games in Australia while owned by teams  in the USA.

An Australian international with 80 caps and three goals, she made her senior debut against local rivals, New Zealand eight years ago when she was just 18. Catley was also vice-captain of her country for the 2019 FIFA World Cup in France, her second appearance on that stage after she played all 450 minutes of Australia’s World Cup in 2015.

She was also one of the first women to feature as the face of EA Sports FIFA game, adorning the front alongside Lionel Messi in their 2016 edition.

MELBOURNE, AUSTRALIA - JANUARY 30: (L- R) Sydney FC head coach Dan Barrett and captain Teresa Polias and Melbourne City FC head coach Joe Montemurro and captain Steph Catley pose during a W-League Grand Final media opportunity at AAMI Park on January 30, 2016 in Melbourne, Australia. (Photo by Michael Dodge/Getty Images)
MELBOURNE, AUSTRALIA – JANUARY 30: (L- R) Sydney FC head coach Dan Barrett and captain Teresa Polias and Melbourne City FC head coach Joe Montemurro and captain Steph Catley pose during a W-League Grand Final media opportunity at AAMI Park on January 30, 2016 in Melbourne, Australia. (Photo by Michael Dodge/Getty Images)

Speaking before the World Cup in France during the summer, Catley said, “I’ve also played in America for the last 6 years. Two years in Portland, two in Orlando, and I am now in my second season with Seattle. I’m very proud of my achievements in football but mostly I’m proud of the way I’ve been able to come back from setbacks and life hurdles and still be able to compete and better myself every day.

“I’ve been injured a lot, in many cases during major tournaments. And I also lost my father suddenly at the end of last year. Within this, football suddenly doesn’t feel as important, but one thing I’ve learnt is that the people, the unity and the family that you develop with people within football are the most important part of all of it.

“And for those relationships, I’m forever grateful.”

MELBOURNE, AUSTRALIA - MARCH 21: Melbourne City goalkeeper Lydia Williams (L) and Steph Catley of Melbourne City pose with the trophy after winning the 2020 W-League Grand Final match between Melbourne City and Sydney FC at AAMI Park on March 21, 2020 in Melbourne, Australia. (Photo by Daniel Pockett/Getty Images)
MELBOURNE, AUSTRALIA – MARCH 21: Melbourne City goalkeeper Lydia Williams (L) and Steph Catley of Melbourne City pose with the trophy after winning the 2020 W-League Grand Final match between Melbourne City and Sydney FC at AAMI Park on March 21, 2020 in Melbourne, Australia. (Photo by Daniel Pockett/Getty Images)

Knee injuries have been a problem recently which will be certainly something to keep an eye on should a deal go through.

“My career has been a steady incline from the day that I started.” she added.

“When I began, I just loved playing. I was the only girl in a boy’s team for six years. I loved the challenge, I loved proving people wrong, I loved winning but mostly I loved getting better.

“Mum would often threaten that I wouldn’t be allowed to train if I was acting up when I was younger, and to me it was the ultimate threat and would put me straight back into line.”