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.

brighton and hove albion v arsenal fc barclays womens super league 6
CRAWLEY, ENGLAND: Amanda Ilestedt of Arsenal acknowledges fans after the Barclays Women´s Super League match between Brighton & Hove Albion and Arsenal FC at Broadfield Stadium on November 19, 2023. (Photo by Bryn Lennon/Getty Images)

As per FIFA regulations, Arsenal are allowed to register an extra player to their squad in Amanda Ilestedt’s absence.

RTSP

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.

BOREHAMWOOD, ENGLAND - NOVEMBER 09: Lina Hurtig of Arsenal reacts during the FA Women's Continental Tyres League Cup match between Arsenal and Bristol City at Meadow Park on November 09, 2023 in Borehamwood, England. (Photo by James Chance/Getty Images)
BOREHAMWOOD, ENGLAND: Lina Hurtig of Arsenal reacts during the FA Women’s Continental Tyres League Cup match between Arsenal and Bristol City at Meadow Park on November 09, 2023. (Photo by James Chance/Getty Images)

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.

DAGENHAM, ENGLAND - FEBRUARY 04: Jonas Eidevall, Manager of Arsenal, inspects the pitch prior to the Barclays Women's Super League match between West Ham United and Arsenal FC at Chigwell Construction Stadium on February 04, 2024 in Dagenham, England. (Photo by Richard Pelham/Getty Images)
DAGENHAM, ENGLAND: Jonas Eidevall, Manager of Arsenal, inspects the pitch prior to the Barclays Women’s Super League match between West Ham United and Arsenal FC at Chigwell Construction Stadium on February 04, 2024. (Photo by Richard Pelham/Getty Images)

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.