The Arseblog Arsenal Women Season Preview

As we do for the men’s team, we are running the time-honoured Arseblog Season Preview for Arsenal Women, featuring Arseblog News Arsenal Women Editor Tim Stillman, co-host of the Arsenal Women Arsecast Jamie Spangher and our erstwhile match reporter Aidan Gibson. The team will be giving their perspective on each department of the squad, with Arsenal’s WSL season kicking off at Saturday lunchtime at home to London City Lionesses.

Jamie and Tim also recorded a season preview podcast which you can listen to here.

GOALKEEPERS

TS: Daphne van Domselaar took a firm hold of the first choice goalkeeper position after signing from Aston Villa last summer. She will go into the season as the clear first choice and that is just hunky dory with me. Van Domselaar is one of the best goalkeepers in Europe and I am hopeful that she will be signed to a new, improved contract soon.

Beneath her, there has been activity with Anekke Borbe joining from Wolfsburg. Borbe broke into the Wolfsburg team at the end of last season and arrives with a strong pedigree. I was told at the end of last season that Arsenal were looking to bring in another senior goalkeeper and that it would likely have implications on Manu Zinsberger’s future.

I admit that I am surprised Zinsberger has remained with the club but not unpleasantly so. I still rate her as a goalkeeper and she has always been seen as someone who radiates positive energy at the training ground. I am a little curious to see who starts the season as the second-choice goalkeeper.

AG: In Daphne van Domselaar, Arsenal have one of the best keepers in the WSL. Van Domselaar was instrumental in the Champions League run, with Arsenal playing her in the semi-final and final even though she was clearly not 100% fit. Having won the starting job from Manuela Zinsberger, many expected Arsenal’s former #1 to leave this summer, and Anneke Borbe has been brought in to add backup in goal. Both Borbe and Zinsberger are too good to be #3 goalkeepers. But, and this will be a theme here, Arsenal have a lot of good depth if necessary, though really, you want Van Domselaar playing every meaningful game this season.

JS: I am really comfortable with this area of the pitch. Daphne van Domselaar is one of the best players in the game, and the depth is there to cover for a precarious injury history.

Having Manu Zinsberger as a number two is a luxury that many clubs in the WSL aren’t able to afford. Even if you are of the opposing opinion, it is a rarity in the women’s game that a goalkeeper on par with the one starting will be willing to ride the bench for a long stretch of time.

Anneke Borbe played 14 games straight at the back end of the Bundesliga season with VfL Wolfsburg and has impressive qualities. I worry about her ability to come off her line and claim the ball in the air, something I noticed she is hesitant to do in the preseason friendlies. When Arsenal lack aerial depth defensively, this is a threat. However, I don’t see Borbe starting in the tougher fixtures so I won’t be losing sleep over the concern.

All in all, the goalkeeper position is an area that I am very comfortable with and believe has been strengthened.

DEFENCE

TS: Arsenal have five centre-halves, I worry a little about redundancy there with Williamson, Catley, Wubben-Moy, Codina and Reid. I expect a fully fit Wubben-Moy to challenge more sternly for Catley’s left centre-back role this season which injury really prevented her from doing last season.

I think only a world class left-sided centre-half should have been remotely entertained this summer but once the club committed to a new contract for Wubben-Moy, we could see where the wind was blowing. I really like all full-backs that Arsenal have and can definitely see that Renee has a ‘type’, where being able to invert into midfield and also to be able to overlap are really important to the fluid style she is trying to foster.

I am just a little curious as to how the ‘three left-backs and one right-back’ model really works. Taylor Hinds will likely be the back up right-back and I haven’t seen enough of her there to judge her- I know I really rate her at left-back. But I also think it’s risky to play Emily Fox quite as much as we did last season so think Hinds needs to be a really good backup right-back to avoid burnout for Fox. (I am open to the idea that she is but I still need to wait to see it).

AG: Emily Fox is perhaps the best right back in the world. Her importance is seen by the amount of minutes she played last season – second by 45 minutes to Mariona Caldentey between the WSL and Champions League (which Arsenal won for the second time, by the way). Fox also had no backup last season, but Arsenal do have the capability to put Taylor Hinds or Katie Reid at right back, with Hinds also backing up Katie McCabe.

McCabe also played a lot, and was vital to Renée Slegers’ system. Hinds is a very good addition: another academy graduate, who is technically very good and a front-footed defender. She adds a different profile at left back, inverting more than McCabe, while Jenna Nighswonger, who has played everywhere during pre-season, offering a little more of a traditional profile at left back.

The centre of defence is well-stocked. Lotte Wubben-Moy was the player of the season two years ago, and Steph Catley earned a Ballon d’Or nomination for her performances at centre back last season. If there is a concern, it’s that Arsenal can sometimes lack power through the middle, as well as aerial prowess. In 23-24, Wubben-Moy solved a lot of that, with her touch tight defending and her height. It’ll be fascinating to see how the partnerships develop this season, especially when Williamson returns from injury. On the ball, Catley offers something that Arsenal do not otherwise have with her left-footed passing. Laia Codina and Katie Reid are other options at the back, which is strong depth.

JS: If Renee Slegers could field a team of left-backs, she probably would. Katie McCabe remains the central figure of Arsenal’s left channel but the addition of Taylor Hinds makes for fascincating depth. Hinds is a really strong attacking full back who likes to fill the channel and invert into the midfield. Between the men’s and women’s team, I could say that about a large population of the players. It leaves Jenna Nighswonger in a precarious place and I am still unsure what to make of the signing. She seems stuck between the Jonas Eidevall era and the Renee Slegers resurgance, so that is a situatuon I am keeping a close eye on.

Emily Fox remains in my opinion, the most irreplacable player at Arsenal. In the disastrous instance of an injury – touch wood – my concern is that the club will find themselves in a situation where the backups are quick-fixes. This won’t necessarily impact the quality of performance but more so the threat and edge of the side.

Steph Catley is the only left-footed centre back at the club, and her ball distribution is overlooked dramatically. A lot of Caitlin Foord’s up tick in form can be attributed to the service she received once that defence was shuffled by Slegers. Like Fox, I think the backup is there, but there is a greater threat to the quality. Arsenal’s centre back situation seems overpopulated but not rich in quality. I don’t doubt that Lotte Wubben Moy can do a job in place of Leah Williamson, but I also wouldn’t be comfortable if her and Laia Codina needed to be a long-term fix.

MIDFIELD

TS: Arsenal have allowed Lia Walti to go to Juventus and this is the one area of the squad where they have not added. I admit that five midfield players for three positions feels one light to me. As well as Reuteler, I believe there was an inquiry about another central midfield player right at the beginning of this summer, so it was clearly an area where Arsenal were prepared to add.

You could argue that the return of Victoria Pelova essentially represents an ‘addition’ compared to last season but most fans are a little concerned about the lack of a truly defensive minded central midfield player and I share that concern. It’s going to be a very big season for Kyra Cooney-Cross and a great opportunity for her to stake her claim.

I am really interested to see the role that Pelova plays too. I was impressed by what I saw in pre-season of her in the slightly higher role she played at Ajax but the numerical situation means we still need to consider her part of the double pivot too. I do wonder whether we will see Jenna Nighswonger in midfield from time to time. Still, I wouldn’t be surprised if Arsenal are quick to add a midfielder in January.

AG: Mariona Caldentey, one of Arsenal’s Ballon d’Or nominees, is the key player in midfield. Renée Slegers really unlocked something when she deployed Mariona with Kim Little at the base of Arsenal’s midfield. Mariona was far and away Arsenal’s most progressive passer and played the most passes into the penalty box, and led Arsenal in xA (which is about the likelihood of a pass being an assist). Defensively, she was also far and away Arsenal’s leader in tackles and interceptions. While there were some concerns at the end of the season around Arsenal getting run through, Mariona should continue in her central midfield role. The question then is who partners her.

Arsenal cannot rely on Kim Little forever, and she has to be managed. Lia Wälti is no longer at the club. Kyra Cooney-Cross looks to get an extended chance to be the more defensive of the two central midfielders, and perhaps an improvement in defensive positioning can lead to fewer basketball games that Arsenal had when Cooney-Cross partnered Mariona. Victoria Pelova has returned from her ACL injury, and has reminded fans of her quality throughout pre-season, especially as an 8, but also adding a different dimension at #10. However, after a career best xG per 90, Frida Maanum, along with Mariona, offers the most goal threat.

While there are some question marks over midfield pairings, Arsenal, again, have a lot of depth in the team in midfield. If Renée Slegers names the same midfield that she named in the Champions League final (which Arsenal won, of course), Slegers would be able to bring Pelova and Cooney-Cross off the bench, all of whom start for their national teams.

JS: I think I say the words “Arsenal” and “midfield” at least thirty times a week. This is an interesting conundrum for the club to be in, because I am hit with the feeling that there are too many, yet none at all. Kim Little and Mariona Caldentey was Slegers’ midfield playbook last season, meaning the departure of the beloved Lia Walti actually hit me with miminal surprise.

Kyra Cooney-Cross is a player that I don’t know if we have ever gotten to know enough. Her signing was full of purpose, Arsenal literally acted earlier than most and were willing to pay the fee in order to get her at the club before the winter window. I think this purpose has translated across to Slegers, and I do believe Cooney-Cross is a central figure to Arsenal’s future. The anxiety that surrounds Cooney-Cross is that fans are still unsure of her best position. Her preseason graft and Slegers’ decision to play her in the defensive pivot against West Ham and Spurs tells me that this is the player the manager is willing to invest the time and chance into.

Victoria Pelova’s depth intrigues me, and I still think I prefer her more in the 8. The question is whether or not Arsenal can make this ‘attacking’ midfield work when they have already been known to give up so much yard on transition.

The reason I think this brings fans so much apprehension is because we have been treated to the luxury of Little and Walti for years, and the change of style that comes with the new manager is daunting. Slegers’ style already emulates that of total football, and her need for an anchoring number 6 is much less prevelant than past managers. Montemurro wanted Walti to steady the ship in a team full of attackers, and Eidevall preferred the conservative double pivot. I believe that the reward of the Slegers style is incredibly high and can be lethal if pulled off.

FORWARDS

TS: Here, I am very satisfied. I think Russo + Blackstenius remains excellent striker depth. In Kelly, Mead, Foord and new signing Olivia Smith, Arsenal have four top quality wide options for the first time in several seasons. All four of those wide options can play on both flanks too and I would expect all four of them to play in every game when fit.

I had a little concern about the number 10 role with Frida Maanum the only properly natural option there. I don’t really like it when Russo moves into that role if I am honest. However, if Pelova is considered a strong option for that role, that allays my concerns and I think it gives Arsenal real variety in that role too.

I am really glad that Arsenal held off LCL to retain Beth Mead too. I think her experience and her ability to contribute with a lot of goals and assists from both flanks, either as a starter or as an impact player, would have been very difficult to replace at short notice this summer. I am really pleased with the quality and variety of the attacking options.

AG: Arsenal wanted a young winger. Fans wanted a young winger. And after breaking the transfer record, Arsenal got a young winger, signing Olivia Smith from Liverpool. She’s the headline addition of the summer, but Arsenal also made Chloe Kelly’s transfer permanent. For the first time in a long time, Arsenal have four genuine starting options among their wide players.

Kelly was a revelation for Arsenal last season, Smith was the PFA Young Player of the Year after scoring 7 goals for a mediocre Liverpool team (and giving Arsenal a torrid time in the FA Cup), Caitlin Foord had a rebound season, and Beth Mead assisted the Champions League winning goal. There are some interesting choices for Slegers: Smith, Mead, and Kelly all seem to prefer the right, while Foord prefers the left hand side.

At centre forward, Arsenal have Alessia Russo to lead the line and Stina Blackstenius as backup. Blackstenius, of course, scored the Champions League winning goal and is perhaps the best backup striker in the WSL. Russo’s all around game has really come on, and after a slow start last season she ended up scoring 12 goals in the WSL and a further 7 in the WSL. Can she break the 20-goal barrier?

JS: We finally land in a time where Arsenal have four top quality wingers in the mixer. Caitlin Foord was back at her best last season and had a campaign that in my opinion flew far too low under the radar. I breathed a sigh of relief when Sky Sports reported that Beth Mead will remain at the club – a player who we often have a tendancy to overlook. Mead had more goal contributions than players like Mayra Ramirez, Rachel Daly, and so on last season.

Having two high-quality number nines is something Arsenal should be relishing in. Heading into a campaign where Arsenal want to be competing across four competitions – five, including January’s mini Club World Cup – rotation of Stina Blackstenius and Alessia Russo is crucial.

Olivia Smith’s signing showcases a signal of intent from the club to splash the cash on a highly sought out attacker. 21 years of age and already fitted with WSL experience is something that will benefit both the present and the future of the club. Like Kelly, her versatility is the strongest area of her game. While she is a direct ‘do it myself’ forward, her defensive statistics are impressive. She ranks in the top two percent for interceptions and recoveries, something we know Slegers demands of her wingers.

Chloe Kelly is the player that interests me the most. At Manchester City she was seen as a cookie-cutter attacking right winger, but during her short stint on loan at the club we have already seen more of what Slegers will demand of her. A brilliant one touch assist to service Beth Mead against Crystal Palace was fed from the left channel, something we haven’t seen a lot of in her career so far. During the Euros, Kelly played predominantly on the left side, providing England three game-saving assists from that side. This versatility is something Slegers is already demanding of her players and I think Kelly will embody it most.

There isn’t a lot I would add or improve in this attack at the moment, and I am more than comfortable with the situation.

OVERALL

TS: I would liked to have seen another midfielder come in with Walti leaving and I am disappointed Arsenal couldn’t lock down their targets there. I think there is a slightly lopsided look to the squad with five centre-backs, three international goalkeepers and only five central midfield players (assuming Nighswonger is not considered part of the latter group on an ongoing basis).

I think Hinds, Kelly and Smith add a lot to the squad (I have to reserve judgement on Borbe who I don’t know enough about) and I really think the attack has a strong, varied look to it. I am really looking forward to seeing Victoria Pelova and Kyra Cooney-Cross really grasp an opportunity to make themselves indispensable first choice players.

I do have some concerns that Arsenal haven’t really fixed issues around pace and height in the spine of the team. If Cooney-Cross and Wubben-Moy play more often I think that eases some of those concerns. I would like to see greater use of the squad this season and I was enthused by the emphasis I saw in pre-season on transitions and counter-attacks.

I am broadly happy with the squad but have a couple of question marks, though this is Slegers’ first full pre-season and a chance to really see what she wants from a team, so I am open-minded about some of my questions being answered in ways that I haven’t been able to foresee.

AG: This is the best many have felt about Arsenal coming into a season in some time. It is not hard to see how Arsenal can win the league. Winning the Champions League should give Arsenal more belief. But the biggest thing between Arsenal and winning the league is not necessarily games against Manchester City and Chelsea, where Arsenal have had a relatively good record in over the last 4 years, but in Arsenal’s ability to rotate between league and Champions League and simply win the game.

Too many campaigns have been undone by dropped points in games Arsenal really ought to have won. After a summer where the squad depth has been strengthened, Slegers has lots of options to go horses for courses and to keep the team fresh. There’s buoyancy after the Champions League success and after the success of Arsenal’s six Lionesses in the Euros. It feels like the time to end Chelsea’s domestic dominance.

JS: Do I think Arsenal have a good squad heading into the 2025/26 WSL season? Yes. Do I believe it is as good as it can be? Not quite.

For me, so much of this transfer window comes down to timing. Had Olivia Smith been a late acquisition, I think the excitment level reaches a higher altitude. Hinds, Kelly and Borbe were early business, framing the window as a lacklustre effort at strengthening the squad. For Kelly and Hinds, despite how much I do like the signings, the Hale End homecomings stirke me as less ambitious and more convenient, something I think we have seen a lot of over previous seasons.

Coming off the back of a Champions League victory, Arsenal’s WSL opponents still leave the window in better shape. After a near-perfect run of fitness to the squad last season, I worry that this stability has caused complacency inside of the recruitment room. Any player in the Chelsea starting eleven gets injured, and they have a player with on-par quality waiting in the wings. I still don’t think Arsenal are at that level, and this transfer window seems to have only consolidated a few areas.

The squad is still in great shape, and we often overlook the players we have known for so long. I trust that Slegers has a style she is ready to employ into the stars she already has in her hands, but hope she has the backing to do so.

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