As the 2024/25 football season approaches, the spotlight turns to Arsenal’s strategy regarding their young talents.
With strict Barclays Women’s Super League (WSL) registration limits and the homegrown rule in place, the club faces tough decisions on whether to promote academy players or continue their development through loan spells.
This article delves into the prospects of Arsenal’s emerging stars and the intricate balance between nurturing young talent and maintaining competitive team dynamics.
Looking at the 2024/25 season, we have to wonder if Arsenal will promote some of the youngsters who were sent on loan or those at the Academy to first team player status with professional contracts.
The Barclays WSL allow only 25 players to be registered and therefore there are not many spots available for the youngsters, as we saw this season that a senior player like Gio was not even registered because we already had 25 players. There is also the homegrown rule with a minimum of eight players needing to be homegrown. When we look at giving a squad place for the youngsters, the big question is are they ready to compete?
Looking at Katie Reid for example, the 17 years old centre-back has been called back from her dual-signing with Watford. She has had a lot of first team experience with them and with so many defenders injured, she is now back in the squad and close to making her first team debut. Once everybody is fit, Katie would be the fifth or sixth centre-back choice. The situation is the same for Teyah Goldie who is on her way back from her second ACL. Should those two youngsters compete for a place with Williamson, Wubben-Moy, Ilestedt and Codina next season, or would they be better off on loan playing first team football?
The same can be said for Michelle Agyemang our up and coming striker. Should she be put in competition with Russo and Blackstenius for the number nine spot? Is she ready to fight for that spot, or should she go again on loan for another year? Her loan at Watford is going really well and like Reid and Goldie, a loan to a WSL side would certainly benefit her next season.
Freya Godfrey who signed her first professional contract last year is in the same situation. She is having a good loan season at Charlton, but will it be enough to compete on the wings with Mead, Lacasse and Foord? There is a case to be made for her to be the fourth winger instead of Hurtig who is injured very often, unfortunately. But you would also expect the club to sign a quality left winger during the summer.
Laila Harbert is on dual signing at Watford FC and it is going really well. In our 4-4-2 system, we have a double pivot and already five players for those two positions. Little, Wälti, Pelova, Cooney-Cross and Kühl who had to go on loan since January. Basically, Laila would come back to be sixth choice next season, so it would make sense to send her on another season loan in a WSL side to grow and then be ready for 2025/26 and compete for a spot as Little and/or Wälti might not be around by this time.