It has been just over a month since we looked at the major overhaul taking place at Arsenal Women and questioned why Renée Slegers was making so many changes to a successful squad.
The picture is much clearer now.
Arsenal have made seven summer signings, while ten players have departed permanently, following the expiry of contracts or on loan. Leah Williamson and Steph Catley have also signed new deals.
Seven new arrivals
Arsenal have added plenty of established international experience.
Georgia Stanway has returned to England from Bayern Munich, Ona Batlle arrived from Barcelona, Germany forward Selina Cerci joined from Hoffenheim and Swiss international Géraldine Reuteler moved from Eintracht Frankfurt.
Those four had already arrived when we looked at Arsenal Women’s overhaul in July.
Since then, Arsenal have signed 19-year-old German winger Lisa Baum from RB Leipzig and 18-year-old Danish goalkeeper Isabella Damm from Brøndby.
Spain international goalkeeper Misa Rodríguez, formerly of Real Madrid, became the seventh arrival.
The full list:
- Georgia Stanway – Bayern Munich
- Ona Batlle – Barcelona
- Selina Cerci – Hoffenheim
- Géraldine Reuteler – Eintracht Frankfurt
- Lisa Baum – RB Leipzig
- Isabella Damm – Brøndby
- Misa Rodríguez – Real Madrid
Ten departures complete a major reshuffle
Some big Arsenal names have moved on.
Beth Mead has joined Manchester City and Katie McCabe Chelsea, while Victoria Pelova moved to Tottenham and Laia Codina to West Ham.
Long-serving goalkeeper Manuela Zinsberger has joined Borussia Dortmund, while Rosa Kafaji moved permanently to London City Lionesses.
The other departures are Niamh Peacock to West Ham, Hope McSheffrey to Bristol City, Eva Gray to Watford and Jessie Gale, who has joined Newcastle United on loan.
More business to come?
The WSL transfer window remains open until 11pm on Thursday, September 3, so Arsenal may not be finished yet.
What is clear is that Slegers’ squad looks significantly different.
There is a lot of experience among the new arrivals, particularly Stanway, Batlle and Misa, alongside the potential of younger additions Baum and Damm.
Now comes the important part: integrating seven new players and preparing this new-look Arsenal for the season ahead.
What do you think, Gooners? Are Arsenal Women stronger after their summer overhaul, or is there still a position Slegers needs to strengthen before the window closes?_____________________________________________________________________________________________
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McCabe and mead were unexpected,! Intergrating 7 new players is no mean task, guess we will have to wait and see how all this blends in
7 in 6 out in reality. The 4 outs in fact didn’t play competitive games. Thanks for the monthly update! Keep on doing the update for you’re JA
I like the new arrivals. But I can’t help thinking that the loss of Mead and Pelova will prove to be a big loss.
City and Spurs have got two top players there. And I fear they will be stronger for it.
But all that said, on paper the squad looks good. Lets hope that it looks even better on the pitch.👍
Hey! Do you know any news about Queen Chloe? I hope that she’ll stay!
Eric Packer,
As far as I know she’s staying. I read an article the other day on the BBC Website about how she had some injury issues last season.
But she’s feeling refreshed and looking forward to the new season. Panic over Eric Packer. 😂👍
Thank you for the response, Derek! I follow her career from 2022 – I think that I don’t need to explain why?! She shone so bright when she played for MCI, and for England of course! I was surprised that MCI let her go so easily, but I was glad that she stayed in England and came home! Since then she hasn’t scored as much as earlier and Alessia Russo outshined her in the past season, but I think that the squad needs her. When she is healthy and in form, her proud confidence – or cockyness according to some – can improve and move the entire team forward! I love to see her play, and I love to see her charm as well! So I hope she will have a great 2026-27 season, and I can’t wait to see her again! Thank you again! C’on Gooners!
Eric Packer,
My pleasure. 👍
Kelly left Man City and joined Arsenal in search of more game time. Did she get what she desired with only 4 starts? There are new arrivals that affect more her bit part role; the Women WC is next year. Dubious situation as I saw some reports linking her with leaving
Amba,
I hear what you say, but she was hampered by injury last season. So if she remains fit this season, I can see her getting more game time.
Okay DEREK. Kelly really is a game changer whatever minutes she’s offered. Love her goal celebrations
I think, if she leaves, she could get more playtime in a smaller squad in England, where she would be “the star”, but it would be a step back for her. In the clubs as Arsenal, MCI, MCU, or Chelsea, she has strong competition, and she would need to show top tier performance in every single minute when she’s on the pitch to get the stable starts. But, at the same time, she could go anywhere: Spain, Germany, France, USA, every club, outside the UK, would welcome her with cheer! Whatever, I just wanna see her play, and I wanna see her happy and satisfied!
Great Packer!
I see Arsenal women beat Manchester City in a behind closed door friendly today 2-1. Goals from Blackstenious and a late winner from Lisa Baum. And there was a welcome return for Cooney cross as well.
It seems that both the men and women like playing City. 😂👍
More than playing them enjoy beating City. Thanks DEREK for letting us know the affairs with the Women.
Amba,
Affairs with the women you say, how dare you. I never toughed them. 😂🤣👍
OOPS! I never touched them. 🤦♂️😂
Amba,
Just to let you know, Arsenal women play FC Paris tomorrow in a pre-season friendly. And I believe it’s on live via the Arsenal YouTube channel.
Just in case you’re interested.
Amba,
Apologies, I forgot to mention the kick-off is 1pm.