Misa Rodríguez says joining Arsenal was the move she wanted to make at this stage of her career after bringing her six-year spell with Real Madrid to an end.
The Spain international moved to north London in July, having become Madrid captain the previous year, leaving the club with a record 215 appearances.
For Misa, the decision was about taking the next step.
“It was the step I wanted to take in my career when I decided to make the change,” she said.
Her move has now brought her back to Spain for Arsenal’s meeting with Barcelona on Thursday, with the goalkeeper relishing the prospect of facing one of Europe’s strongest attacking sides.
“I’m approaching it like any other game, as I always have done against Barça, despite knowing they’re a great team playing at a high level,” she said. “I’m motivated to give my absolute best.”
Misa also picked out Ewa Pajor, Caroline Graham Hansen and Claudia Pina when discussing Barcelona’s attacking threat, describing them as players “who are having a great season.”
“I know Barcelona very well and I’m aware of their attacking potential, with Pajor, Pina and Graham, who are having a great season,” she said.
“The key will be to stay together as a team, be solid defensively and prevent them from having their day in front of goal.”
The 27-year-old arrived at Arsenal with considerable experience behind her.
Born in Las Palmas on 22 July 1999, Misa previously played for Atlético Madrid and Deportivo La Coruña before joining Real Madrid in 2020.
She went on to win the Zamora Trophy twice, awarded to the goalkeeper with the lowest goals-conceded-per-game ratio in the league, adding to the three league titles already in her locker from her time on the other side of Madrid.
Her international career has also brought major honours.
Misa was part of Spain’s 2023 World Cup-winning squad, starting all three group matches, before adding the Nations League in 2024.
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