Mariona Caldentey has made a significant impact in her debut season with Arsenal Women, delivering standout performances that have earned widespread praise. The Spanish international joined the Gunners in July 2024 and has quickly established herself as one of the most influential players in the Women’s Super League. Caldentey played in 21 league matches this season, scoring nine goals and providing five assists as Arsenal secured a second-place finish and Champions League qualification.
Her influence extended well beyond domestic fixtures. In the UEFA Women’s Champions League, Caldentey was instrumental in Arsenal’s progression to the final. She scored key goals against strong European opponents including Real Madrid and Lyon. Her most notable contribution came in the second leg of the semi-final against Lyon where she scored a crucial goal to help overturn a first-leg deficit, resulting in a 4-1 victory that secured Arsenal’s first final appearance since 2007.
A vital presence in Champions League success
Caldentey’s contributions in Europe underlined her importance to the team. Her technical quality and calmness under pressure were evident throughout the campaign. Arsenal’s tactical flexibility in attack has greatly benefited from her ability to operate across the frontline, providing not only goals but also intelligent link-up play and off-the-ball movement. She has offered the kind of composure and creativity that Arsenal have needed in big moments.
Experience and leadership shining through
Her leadership on and off the pitch has also drawn attention. Manager Renée Slegers has frequently praised her approach, noting the example she sets for younger players and the level of professionalism she brings to the dressing room. Caldentey’s performances this season have led to her being regarded as a leading candidate for the 2025 Ballon d’Or, as cited by espn.com. Her success reflects the continued rise of Spanish influence in the women’s game and highlights the strategic recruitment Arsenal have implemented.
With a UEFA Women’s Champions League final against Barcelona approaching, Caldentey will once again be in the spotlight. Her journey from Spain to North London has started with promise, and the best may still be to come.
What are your thoughts on Caldentey Gooners?
Michelle M
Follow JustArsenal’s Gooner Women on Just Gooner Women on Twitter for regular updates on the Arsenal Womens Team!
Do you want to read more about the Arsenal Women’s Team? Click here….
It has been said by Jonas that he was presented with the choice of signing Mariona and letting Viv go or keeping Viv and passing over Mariona. The immediate backlash of letting Viv go was the end of Jonas. Although looking back who can now doubt that the right choice was made regarding the players or that Jonas’s resignation and Renee’s appointment was to the Club’s benefit.
Jonas’s resignation and Renee’s appointment was to the Club’s benefit. Renee Slegers is Godsend.
When the decision was made to let Miedema go I was disappointed like a lot of the fans. And while there were rumours of a rift between the manager and player, and the choice between keeping her or recruiting Caldentey. I did also think that maybe the club had doubts about Miedema’s fitness. Don’t forget before she left she had to have a procedure done on her knee, and once at City she again needed another procedure on her knee.
And now she is out again, so maybe just maybe the clubs medics new something that we didn’t.
i agree Derek, there are things that are factors i certainly am not aware of ( was Viv known to have potential physical trouble ahead ? the medics must have had their thoughts, what brought Mariona to us, she s a sensational addition, but had a brilliant Barca career, was it something about Barca or something about us, was Walti supporting friendship part of her motivation, was Jonas the inspiration ? looking back i wish Jonas remained as a recruiter of new players, he also brought in other top players, though without doubt Renee has proved a better team boss … what brings managerial success anyway ? skill and dedication, humility and understanding the players, wisdom, giving opportunities to players with potential to carry us to victories ?
Evan Potts,
Interesting thought as usual. 👍😉👏
Thank you Derek