The Arseblog News Arsenal Women 2026-27 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 on Sunday lunchtime away at Brighton.

Tim and Jamie recorded a podcast reviewing pre-season last week. We also have an exclusive interview with Mariona Caldentey on our YouTube channel.

GOALKEEPERS

TS: The addition of Misa Rodriguez after her Real Madrid contract expired is arguably the most intriguing addition of the summer. The Gunners appeared to have good depth here with Daphne van Domselaar and Anneke Borbe, as well as the addition of highly rated 18-year-old Isa Damm as the future development goalkeeper. Fellow U21 goalkeeper Amy Liddiard has joined London Bees on loan. Initially, it wasn’t in the plans for Liddiard to go on loan.

But Misa’s addition came out of left-field, especially as it’s a World Cup year and she left Real Madrid because she had lost her place to Merle Frohms. Misa’s addition, in my view, either shows a lack of faith in Anneke Borbe to really push van Domselaar as number 1, or else it demonstrates long term concerns over van Domselaar’s fitness, who has had three significant injuries since signing in the summer of 2024.

There is just no chance that Misa signed up to be third-choice, I suspect she will start the season in goal, not least because she offers Arsenal a further left-footed presence in their build-up. But I suspect that Misa is seen as someone who can push for the first-choice position, I cannot see why she would have signed otherwise.

JS: The Arsenal squad is in safe hands after this transfer window.

Ever since her arrival to the WSL in June 2023 when she joined Aston Villa, Daphne van Domselaar has fought through a string of injuries. The arrival of Anneke Borbe last summer provided some much-needed breathing room for the Dutch goalkeeper, who has been able to have her minutes managed in recent months. Borbe’s performances instilled enough confidence in the Arsenal fan base to promote comfort, but it is the arrival of Misa Rodriguez that eases any remaining worries I may have had. The Spanish international is good between the sticks, conceding just 11 goals over 1710 minutes for Real Madrid last season. However, it is her left foot that brings the most promise to an otherwise right-footed last line.

This rotation is one of the strongest areas of the pitch, allowing Slegers the room to rotate across each competition. Daphne van Domselaar is one of the best in the world when she is at her best, so I expect the gloves to be hers upon her return, but until then I do think Arsenal are in safe hands.

AG: After spending most of the end of 2025 with just Amy Liddiard on the bench after injury to Daphne van Domselaar and Manu Zinsberger, Arsenal have increased the depth in the position – a recurring theme from this summer. Van Domselaar is unfortunately injured again, having had knee surgery in the summer. When fit, she has been outstanding but she’s missed significant game time in each of her three seasons in the WSL.

Anneke Borbe was good when called upon last season, but Arsenal also signed Misa Rodriguez and the 18 year old Isabella Damm. Misa, I imagine, will start the season as Arsenal’s number 1. I do think her left footedness will be important in buildup given Arsenal’s very right-footed heavy outfield lineup.

DEFENDERS

TS: Here, Arsenal have lost Katie McCabe and Laia Codina and added Ona Batlle and de Almeida. I think there is some curiosity about how Batlle will fare as a left-back, she has played there with distinction before but is still largely seen as a right-back. Smilla Holmberg was also added in January continuing Renee Slegers’ record of adding a full-back in every transfer window she has overseen. But I like the variety and quality of Arsenal’s full-backs, Fox, Hinds, Holmberg and Batlle feels like a solid group and I think we will see plenty of all of them.

At centre-half, on paper, Williamson, Reid, Wubben-Moy and Catley is a strong group with a good spread age wise. The context is that Reid is still recovering from an ACL injury, Williamson has had injury concerns in recent seasons and Steph Catley is the only totally naturally left-sided option and she turns 33 this season. The addition of de Almeida is difficult to understand given she is right-footed, 28 and quite expensive. I don’t think Arsenal should be signing ‘cover’ for this position, personally. I was hoping for a real ceiling raiser or nothing at all.

Left-sided centre-back is probably the most difficult position to recruit in women’s football and it is illustrative that the Gunners last centre-back signing was Laia Codina three years ago and she left this summer. But overall, this area was very far from Arsenal’s issue last season, they had the best defensive record in the WSL by some distance- though FA Cup and Champions League exits did expose some flaws here.

JS: Coming off the back of a tremendous season in the defensive department, this is the area of the pitch that piques my interest the most. It’s fullbacks galore, and the quality is tremendous. A conveyer belt of options including Emily Fox, Taylor Hinds, Smilla Holmberg and now Spanish international Ona Batlle is one that many clubs could only dream of.

However, there are still questions to be asked. The departure of Katie McCabe poses many questions for Arsenal, one being the loss of a left-footed outlet in defence. The acquisition of 27-year-old Ona Batlle is certainly a stellar move, but her predicted position at left-back could cause some issues for the side if we aren’t going to make any further moves in the market.

Funnily enough, in last season’s preview I wrote “If Renee Slegers could field a team of left-backs, she probably would.” Well, we arrive at the dawn of a new day, the Right Knight Rises, Right-Back to the Future, the Right-Back Redemption. Casting my mind back to a time before Steph Catley’s move to centre-back, Arsenal often struggled to break down a press because of its over reliance on right footers at the back. Heading into 2026/27, the 32-year-old is the only left footer in the Arsenal last line. I have concerns about Arsenal’s fluidity without the ability to open up the left channel at the highest level.

Leah Williamson’s injury record is a cause for anxiety, and relying on 19-year-old Katie Reid returning from an ACL injury isn’t a spot that the World Champions should be finding themselves in. This transfer window may see Slegers praying to the injury gods if Arsenal are going to operate at full potential.

Also, an immediate extension of Emily Fox’s contract would be nice.

AG: I want to be honest about my process: I left the defence for last because this bit takes longer to parse. Arsenal had the best defensive record in the WSL last season. With Kaite McCabe having gone to Chelsea, Ona Batlle is one of the best possible replacements: an excellent defender in her own right and able to play at both right back and left back (as is Emily Fox, who made her breakthrough into the USWNT as a left back and played left back in the NWSL). Batlle is an excellent player and while there will of course be an adjustment period, Arsenal won’t lose quality at left back. Emily Fox has been brilliant at right back and Smila Holmberg, with her outstanding crossing ability and speed is not only a good back up but adds variety. Taylor Hinds is a good left back and was a good addition last season.

Leah Williamson and Steph Catley will continue as Arsenal’s first choice centre back pairing and when both are fit, Arsenal are very good defensively, though there is perhaps an aerial issue. Lotte Wubben-Moy is an able deputy for both–some of Arsenal’s best defensive performances last season came with Lotte starting. Behind those 3, though, it’s murky, and that’s where Arsenal haven’t added at the same level of the rest of the squad. Katie Reid is making her way back from ACL injury and it’s unclear, given how tough it can be to bring defenders back from that injury, when she’ll be fit and available.

Finally, the signing of Élisa de Almeida doesn’t seem to address any concerns outside of having another fit defender, with De Almeida being neither left footed nor necessarily brilliant in the air. The bottom line is that I don’t have a lot of concerns about Arsenal’s first choice defence, and am not concerned about full back — it’s what’s lost if one of Williamson or Catley isn’t available, especially on the ball. Some of that is alleviated by Wubben-Moy being a good passer and by Stanway’s addition, but it’s still a concern that I don’t think has been fully addressed.

MIDFIELD

TS: I really like what Arsenal have done here this summer. Last season they were too thin in midfield, exacerbated by the unexpected absence of Kyra Cooney-Cross for the second half of the season. They were far too reliant on Kim Little and Mariona but the additions of Georgia Stanway and Geraldine Reuteler add quality, experience and variety- as does the welcome return of Cooney-Cross.

The number 10 position remains an area of intrigue, especially as Arsenal have added a further striker which will likely see Russo play the role regularly again this season. Stanway ought to reduce the dependence on Little and Mariona in build-up and free the latter to make her mark further up the pitch.

The versatility of Reuteler also, hopefully, prevents Arsenal from being too predictable in the middle third and ought to add to their transitional threat. But alongside Ona Batlle, who is a direct replacement for an outgoing senior player, Stanway feels like the big ticket signing of the summer who will transform and add to the starting eleven. In essence, Arsenal have lost Victoria Pelova and added Stanway and Reuteler, with Cooney-Cross back in the mix to boot. I think they look much stronger in the engine room now.

JS: Full of stars that pack a punch, this will be interesting.

Many fans have questions about the lack of a central defensive midfielder in this Arsenal team, but echoing my long-winded spell on the most recent episode of the pod, I don’t believe a natural 6 is a position of value for Slegers. We already learnt of this with her persistence with the double-pivot of Kim Little and Mariona Caldentey, and the signing of Georgia Stanway further solidified that. Last season showed us that Slegers presents her players with a strong responsibility to be versatile and value a returning defensive effort – this was mainly evident in the channels, but I expect this to be the biggest theme of the midfield this season.

What I think Arsenal have gotten right in this area is the versatility of each playing profile in the middle third of the pitch. Preseason showed us that Slegers will likely opt for a Stanway-Little double pivot, meaning we may return to my favourite days of attacking Mariona. Frida Maanum and Geraldine Reuteler will be exciting options in the 10, the latter also a solid option for the wide area due to her pace.

I also expect there to be opportunities for Russo to return to the 10 position, especially against teams who may hurt Arsenal in transition and her ball control and defensive strength is imperative. Kyra Cooney-Cross will play an interesting role, and despite there being greater competition for a starting spot, the total-football model is one in which I think the Australian will find a strong groove in.

AG: With Georgia Stanway and Geraldine Reuteler added to the squad and Kyra Cooney-Cross back, midfield looks very strong, both in terms of quality and variety. Stanway has already shown her passing range in Arsenal’s viewable pre-season games, and with her ability to switch from deep it should help Arsenal build play more quickly, especially if Leah Williamson is unavailable. But Arsenal now also have the ability to not exclusively rely on Kim Little and face an existential threat if she’s absent. Between Stanway and Cooney-Cross there is variety in the deeper midfielder, while Mariona can be used further up as a 10.

Reuteler brings running power in transition, and between Maanum, Stanway, and Cooney-Cross there are three players who like to shoot from range. Russo will inevitably play some games as a 10, as Slegers likes that option, and she can bring a level of control through her ability to link and hold the ball up, and she’s incredibly strong off the ball. One thing I like about Arsenal’s midfield options this season is it feels like Arsenal have an off-ball midfield and an on-ball midfield: for home games where there’ll be 75% possession, that can be a Mariona, Little, and Stanway (or Cooney-Cross) midfield; for tougher games away, that might involve one of Reuteler or Russo coming into midfield.

FORWARDS

TS: Arsenal drew six WSL games and scored nine fewer goals than Manchester City. This feels like the area that could really define Arsenal’s title challenge. They have added Selina Cerci, who has been a solid source of goals in unfancied Bundesliga teams for a few seasons now. She potentially adds some of the end product Arsenal lost with Beth Mead’s departure.

Lisa Baum feels like a really exciting signing and the sort of player Arsenal have needed for some time. Players like Kafaji and Gio have been signed in recent years to add some youthful impetus to the Arsenal attack. Those signings did not work. I really think this one will, not least because Baum is already physically very imposing. She has an explosiveness and ability to create from nothing which I am excited about.

I am intrigued to see how the relationship between Stina and Cerci operates as back up / rotiation / Plan B strikers. In Russo, I think Arsenal already have one of the most rounded centre-forwards in the world and she is really emerging as a leader in the team. I also think it is clear that Olivia Smith has a lot of star quality and I suspect we will see it on an even more consistent basis this season. Kelly and Foord add experience and different qualities here too, but I am really looking to players to truly make the difference with individual actions to turn some of those draws into victories.

JS: Lisa Baum already has me counting down the minutes until the start of the new campaign. Her performances in preseason taught me more about a player I truly knew little about. Calling her an X-Factor player who will take the game on with the ball at her feet seems to be selling her short, because it was her vision to split open a last line with a sweeping pass that impressed me most. I think Arsenal have landed on a very intelligent footballer with great potential. This ability to cut inside and find the space in behind will also provide Arsenal with a strong foundation to replace the presence of Beth Mead, who was notoriously strong in that area. Now, I shouldn’t put all the hope in the world on the shoulders of a 19-year-old who will certainly face some level of adjustment period to the WSL, so I’ll do it to a 22-year-old instead.

We’ve had the pilot episode, but I have a good feeling that the new season of the Olivia Smith show may be star-studded. The preseason friendlies were centred around her confidence, something she is clearly brimming with. Now that she has been provided a clear-cut role by Slegers and is surrounded by players to raise her level, I no longer expect Smith to be the developing youngster, but rather the central star.

Chloe Kelly and Caitlin Foord will bring experienced depth behind the youth of Baum and Smith, and I expect this to be an interesting season for Stina Blackstenius. There is room for plenty of high quality rotation across all competitions, and I expect Blackstenius to help burden the weight of the infinite minutes that Alessia Russo seemed to carry last season. The signing of Selina Cerci piques my interest because the gravity of her role appears unclear to me at this moment if she is to be an out-and-out 9, but that is one I am willing to trust the process for.

I think Alessia Russo will pick up where she left off and put in another Player of the Season campaign in red and white. Surrounded by dynamic wingers providing service, and now a far stronger midfield set up with the hunger to push the ball forward, I expect Russo to be at her dangerous best. I am so very glad that she plays for Arsenal.

AG: Arsenal lost a reliable source of goals and assists in Beth Mead over the summer. In replacing Mead, Arsenal have signed a profile in Lisa Baum that has been badly needed: a left footed winger who can play as an inverted right winger has been very much needed, and Baum is a true winger (as opposed to someone like Mead, who was more of an inside forward). So far, Baum has shown good decision making and an ability go on the inside and outside.

Olivia Smith had an outstanding first season and is at first name on the teamsheet levels. I think Chloe Kelly was badly missed through much of last season. Between the Champions League and WSL, Kelly scored 6 and assisted 5 in only 848 minutes, meaning contributed the final action to a goal 1.17 times per 90.

Arsenal signed Selina Cerci in the summer and she has a really good record from the Bundesliga. I’m not sure entirely how this develops in truth. So far we’ve only seen her as a 9 and there are fewer minutes there than there might be out wide, especially as Stina Blackstenius has not only signed a new contract but brought some parts of her game to a new level last season. Not only did she retain her tireless running in behind, but she also really developed her hold up play. Alessia Russo was Arsenal’s best player last season and I’m expecting a big season from her: this team, and the Arsenal attack, is really being built around Russo.

OVERALL

TS: Left centre-back feels like the only spot where Arsenal are carrying any concerns in terms of depth- on paper four international centre-halves offers plenty of depth but there are caveats. I really like the majority of the summer business, Arsenal have added to their forward line, midfield, their goalkeeper group and I think they have taken the departures of seasoned players like Mead and McCabe seriously.

Batlle, Stanway, Misa and Reuteler are all 27-year-old international players, Cerci is a 26-year-old international player. Arsenal have traded some late prime players for early prime players generally speaking. When I look at Arsenal’s title rivals, I think Manchester City have consolidated, Chelsea have had another busy summer similar to Arsenal’s. Whether or not Arsenal can win the title will come down to small details- tactical details, health and coaching smarts.

A serious title challenge is long overdue and lifting the trophy is even more overdue. It’s really difficult because Chelsea and Manchester City are such strong adversaries. Teams like Brighton, Spurs and LCL have really strengthened too, which means there will be more dropped points among the big teams this season- especially now the league has four more games. It will come down to margins and it’s high time that Arsenal made those margins work in their favour.

AG: Arsenal’s transfers this summer have gone a long way to building out the strength of the squad. In truth a lot of the moves feel similar to the men’s team last summer, with only Batlle and Stanway seeming like nailed on starting eleven players. However, I also think that’s the point. Arsenal have rarely had the squad to make five changes between games, and it’s something that Renee Slegers hasn’t done. The ability to do that, though, certainly seems the intention. At times last season Arsenal struggled because it was too predictable, and this squad refresh does give Arsenal a head start on the rest of the WSL. With that being said, Arsenal still feel light in defence: if Arsenal don’t win the league, my guess is it’s because there were key personnel in defence missing at key moments of the season.

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