With the fantastic news about Amanda Ilestedt’s pregnancy comes an unexpected opportunity for Arsenal to sign a replacement, while the Swedish defender is unable to play.
As per FIFA regulations, Arsenal are allowed to register an extra player to their squad in Amanda Ilestedt’s absence.
So, let’s have a look at the registered players currently in the squad position by position:
- GK(4): Zinsberger, D’Angelo, Bouhaddi, Williams
- DF (8) : Wubben-Moy, McCabe, Catley, Ilestedt, Codina, Fox, Williamson, Wienroither
- MF (4): Wälti, Pelova, Little, Cooney-Cross
- FW (8): Foord, Russo, Maanum, Mead, Lacasse, Blackstenius, Miedema, Hurtig
We have 24 professional players registered in the squad right now, which means we could have registered another player during the January window.
Obviously, we actually have only 22 players available due to Ilestedt’s pregnancy and Lina Hurtig’s long-term back problem. Laura Wienroither has not been back in the squad so far, but she should be close from returning from her ACL injury.
The logical thing would be get a like for like replacement for Amanda and bring a centre-back in. I see a lot of fans wanting the US WNT centre-back Naomi Girma, and she is a top class player, but I can’t see San Diego Waves wanting to sell her.
In the meantime, Arsenal brought back Academy central defender Katie Reid who was dual-signed with Watford to cover for injuries.
Considering we are short on the left-wing, with Foord the only player on that attacking side and Eidevall’s reluctance to use Lacasse there, as well as the fact that McCabe is the number one right-back when Fox is unavailable, I believe it makes sense to have a temporary recruit that covers the left-back and left-winger position to come on as a sub either for Foord or McCabe/Catley.
The biggest problem is finding someone with enough quality to come in a do a job for four months and then go back to her parent club.
At the end of the season, all the players on loan will come back and therefore there will be a lot more than 25 players with contract in the squad. We would also have to decide if youngsters like Vivienne Lia, Laila Harbert and Katie Reid also deserve a professional contract.
Alternatively, the club could find a world class left-winger right now and sign her on a long term contract, but I guess this is more likely to happen during the Summer.
There is certainly a need to get an extra body to finish the season, but finding the right quality that is available right now is like finding a needle in a haystack.