The transfer window for professional players in the English women’s game is now closed, with Arsenal making a few changes from the squad that won the Champions League in Lisbon back in May.
Transfers in: Chloe Kelly (Manchester City), Taylor Hinds (Liverpool), Anneke Borbe (Wolfsburg), Olivia Smith (Liverpool)
Transfers out: Lina Hurtig (Fiorentina), Amanda Ilestedt (Frankfurt), Teyah Goldie (London City Lionesses), Freya Godfrey (London City Lionesses), Laura Wienroither (Manchester City), Lia Wälti (Juventus)
Players out on loan: Rosa Kafaji (Brighton), Michelle Agyemang (Brighton), Laila Harbert (Portland), Jessie Gale (Portsmouth), Naomi Williams (Bristol), Viv Lia (Nottingham Forest), Cecily Wellesley-Smith (Leicester), Maddy Earl (Ipswich)
The squad now has 23 senior players, three goalkeepers, and twenty outfield players. It is a good size squad, unless many players get injured or suspended, then the bench becomes depleted.
Arsenal have many players who can play in two, three or even four positions. That versatility will be key throughout the first half of the season.
Academy player Sophie Harwood who played many games in pre-season at right back could be used as a back-up for Emily Fox. She does not need to be registered in the WSL 25-player list as she does not have a professional contract.
Adding Olivia Smith and Chloe Kelly on the wing means the club has depth with four players as Arsenal also rejected London City Lionesses’ offer for Beth Mead.
Taylor Hinds also adds depth at full-backs as she can cover both positions and play left wing-back too.
Anneke Borbe will offer depth in the goalkeeper department, competing with Daphe van Domselaar and Manuela Zinsberger.
In January, Arsenal will hopefully add a central midfielder to bring quality and quantity to that area of the squad, while the search for the elusive left footed and fast centre-back carries on since Rafaelle left the club a couple of seasons ago.