Are Laura Wienroither’s Days at Arsenal Numbered? That’s the question Gooners are pondering after the girls’ 5-0 win over Crystal Palace on Sunday.
Arsenal were supposed to kick off 2025 with an FA Cup 4th round clash against Bristol City. However, that game was postponed due to a frozen pitch at Meadow Park. This meant the WSL clash with Palace was their first game of the new year.
Renee Slegers, newly confirmed as Arsenal Women’s permanent head coach, was keen to start her reign on a high, and she did just that. Every one of her decisions paid off, leading to that commanding 5-0 win over the Eagles.
But one decision has left Gooners talking. Some are wondering why Renee took off Emily Fox in the 82nd minute of that game and, instead of replacing her with Laura Wienroither (who is match fit after fully rehabilitating from her ACL injury), she brought on Katie Reid.
My understanding was that the right wing-back position is supposed to be covered by either Fox or Wienroither. In fact, coming into this season, we were looking forward to the battle for a starting spot between the two. So why did Renee sub off Fox and not give Wienroither a chance to show what she can offer at RB?
That question came up in the post-match press conference, and the Arsenal Women boss said, “There are a couple of different reasons. We wanted to get Foxy off the pitch; she came back to us a little bit later (from winter break). It was great we could take her off. It is about how we want to position ourselves and what quality we need, but yeah, Laura is fit, both Katie Reid and Laura are fit.”
From those comments, are Laura Wienroither’s days at Arsenal numbered? Is Reid now ahead of her in the pecking order?
Well, I don’t know about you, but that explanation didn’t leave me convinced. And I don’t want to be too harsh on Renee Slegers, but players like Wienroither, Lotte Wubben-Moy, and Laia Codina aren’t players we should be losing. If we want to compete on multiple fronts, they’re players we ought to keep hold of (how can we do that if they’re not playing; not even making cameo appearances?
I am all for giving the youngsters a chance, but with the game at 4-0 by the time Fox was being withdrawn, what would you lose by playing either Lotte or Wienroither at RB to see out the game? Even 8 minutes on the pitch could hint to a player that she’s part of the plan.
Either way, let’s trust that Renee has what’s best for the team in mind. All we want is for Arsenal Women to be the English and European powerhouse it was meant to be.
What do you think Gooners? Am I getting worried over nothing?
Michelle M
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i nearly always agree with you Michelle, you re much smarter than i am, but in this case i m not sure i fully agree, i come at it from a slightly different angle, Wienroither is an excellent player, no doubt, but Reid is a very rare and extremely exceptional talent and i think Renee s absolutely right, Reid needs to be given experience to be brought in as soon as possible, for the overall good … we were winning the game against Palace so Reid could come on without pressure, If Reid soon becomes a regular we have a mix of brilliant defenders and midfielders, i reckon with Catley, Cooney Cross and Little on form and Walti brilliantly back and Fox so impressive, it s almost an embarrassment of riches, to say nothing of the magnificent Williamson, performing amazingly yesterday, she exuded confidence turning defence into attack, and showed herself to be a goalscorer too … so i m sad to say, sad b/c she seems a very nice person, i don t see Wienroither easily winning her place back in the first eleven…i would hold Wubben Moy in reserve before Wienroither, but my main point is that Katie Reid needs to be given her chance sooner not later, she s young yes, but she s very formidable, i reckon she can help us into a new Chelsea thumping era, lol
Here’s my take on it for what its worth.
With Arsenal being involved in four different competitions, all be it that the League is a big ask
as it’s not in Arsenal’s hands.
But the other three are. Bearing that in mind, we’ll need a big squad to compete in these competitions.
So I would imagine, if Arsenal go deep in these competitions, then the squad player’s if you like will get some game time along the way.
Also, when said player gets there chance it’s down to them to take it. If they do that, they then give the manager a decision to make.
My final point on this subject is, if your at a big Club like Arsenal, then you know that the competition for place’s will be fierce, if your not up to the challenge then maybe said player should look to play for a smaller club to increase there chance of regular game time.
Don’t join a club like Arsenal, and then be surprised that you’ve got major competition for your starting place. Your joining Arsenal, of course there’s going to be competition.😉👍
that s all true Derek, and sometimes it s best for the player to find a smaller club and play more games
Laura is not a good player for Arsenal and never has been. Also nobody I speak to wonders why she did not get game time, In fact the last time her name was mentioned the talk of is why she was so good for her previous team against us but has never come close to that level for us. As for Reid she could well be the future of the club. I think already she is the best defender we have right now. she fills me with confidence because she appears confident and she can defend, play out from the back, get into good positions and pass long intelligent balls. She doesn’t get bullied either. Reid gets 11 out of 10 from me!
Fred , i m glad to read your thoughts on Katie Reid which i completely agree with … the way she comes out of defence makes me think she is very much going to be like Leah Williamson, that s quite an accolade