Impetus’ Aimee Logan gives her opinion on each of the players in Arsenal’s 2023/24 squad as the team that many predict to wrestle the WSL title away from Chelsea get their season underway (1/10/23)
Above: Lina Hurtig and Caitlin Foord celebrate a goal – potentially one of many things the North London side celebrate this season. Photo: Arsenal Women.
Arsenal have been incredibly active in the transfer market with the consequence that they have a strength in depth that has been lacking in recent years.
The club’s 22/23 campaign was decimated by injury, but with the majority of these players getting ready to step back out on the field, Arsenal manager, Jonas Eidevell, will be spoilt for choice when considering the starting XI.
Below I take a closer look at all of the players in the squad and compare their experience and what they could bring to the team for this year.
All statistics are right as of July 2023 (end of 22/23 season).
Manuela Zinsberger- GK- 1
Joined in 2019
Appearances- 101
Clean sheets- 44
National team- Austria
Manuela Zinsberger has been vital at the back for Arsenal since she made her debut. She’s kept many clean sheets because of her power and presence in front of goal. She’s Eidevell’s first choice when it comes down to deciding who will be put on the field every matchday. Even when she’s not out on the pitch, she’s consistently shown being vocal on the sidelines while spreading support for all her teammates. In March 2023, Zinsberger announced she will be staying with the Gunners for another season in North London.
The number 2 shirt is not currently filled because of Rafaelle Souza’s departure to Orlando Pride at the end of the 22/23 season. She had 22 appearances for the club during the season she spent in Red and White.
Lotte Wubben-Moy- DF-3
Joined in 2020 (professional contract)
Appearances- 100
Goals- 7
National team- England
Lotte Wubben-Moy is one of Arsenal’s home-grown players as she progressed through the Centre of Excellence Academy in her childhood. Wubben-Moy made her debut for the club in 2015 at just 16 but left to progress her education further at the University of California. She returned to her home club in 2020 where she has been ever since. The 24-year-old was a part of the UEFA Women’s Euros-winning Lionesses squad and was called up to represent her country this year in the FIFA Women’s World Cup where England took home a silver medal.
The number four shirt is now also unreserved upon the departure of Anna Pattern from the club. In her last year and a half of contract with Arsenal she has been on loan at Aston Villa. When her contract expired with Arsenal, she chose to join the Villa side permanently ready for the 23/24 season.
Jennifer Beattie- DF- 5
Joined in 2019 (rejoined)
Appearances- 64 (2019-now)
Goals- 6 (2019-now)
National team- Scotland (retired)
Jennifer Beattie first joined the Gunners when she was 18 years old. She left the club in 2013 but returned in 2019. She has scored some crucial headers for Arsenal since her time at the club but one of the most significant is arguably her powerful header in the Semi-Final of the UEFA Champions League against Wolfsburg. She consistently performs to a high standard for the club. In June this year, it was announced that Beattie signed a new contract with the Gunners for the 23/24 season.
Leah Williamson- DF- 6
Joined in 2006, (professional contract 2017)
Appearances- 204
Goals- 12
National team- England
Leah Williamson is a Gooner through and through. She developed through the Centre of Excellence programme in her childhood and has stuck with the club ever since. She is passionate about her love for the club and has already had 204 appearances for them. Her 22/23 season was cut short, however, by a rupture in her Anterior Cruciate Ligament (ACL), in April 2023. This meant that the England Captain also missed the FIFA Women’s World Cup in Australia after she led the Lionesses to victory at the UEFA Women’s Euros last year. Williamson has been recovering from her injury and is hoping to get back on the field as soon as she can.
Steph Catley- DF- 7
Joined in 2020
Appearances- 58
Goals- 3
National team- Australia
Steph Catley, arguably, has one of the best corner kicks in the WSL, even one of them finding its way to the back of the net last season. She is an experienced footballer who represents her country regularly. She was selected to represent the Matildas this summer at the FIFA Women’s World Cup in her home country, where she scored two spot kicks for her side and captained her country for multiple games. She also extended her contract with the Gunners for another season in red and white in June 2023.
The number eight shirt is now empty for the first time in 12 years after long-time Arsenal player, Jordan Nobbs, left the club in January 2023.
Beth Mead- FW-9
Joined in 2017
Appearances- 139
Goals- 53
National team- England
Beth Mead was Arsenal’s 2022 Player of the Year after her stunning season with the club and her performance at the UEFA Women’s Euros, taking away the Golden Boot from the tournament. Since signing for the club in 2017 from Sunderland, she has been vital on the right wing due to her superb skills of crossing the ball into the 6-yard box. Her 22/23 season was cut short by a rupture of her Anterior Cruciate Ligament (ACL) in November last year. She is hopeful to get back on the pitch early in the 23/24 season as she has spoken about how well her recovery has gone and is now back in full training alongside her teammates. In addition, Mead signed a new contract for Arsenal in December 2022, sticking with the club she knows and loves.
Kim Little- MF- 10
Joined in 2017 (rejoined)
Appearances- 115 (2017-now)
Goals- 45 (2017-now)
National team- Scotland (retired)
As Arsenal’s captain, Kim Little has been a successful leader and has won 13 trophies with the Gunners, in total, across both her times at the club. She is the team’s first-choice penalty taker and has a very high penalty success rate. In total, Little has had over 250 appearances in red and white and is a pivotal part of the squad. Her 22/23 season was cut short by an injury to her hamstring in April 2023. However, this didn’t stop her from extending her contract with the club in the same month. As it stands, Kim Little will be available for the first game of the new season as her recovery has been a reported success.
Vivianne Miedema- FW- 11
Joined in 2017
Appearances- 134
Goals- 112
National team- Netherlands
Vivianne Miedema is a goal scorer par excellence. At 22 years old, the Dutch international broke the record for the most goals scored for her native country, both female and male. Her talent and technique in the six-yard box is feared by any defender. Her 22/23 season sadly came to an end in December 2022 when she suffered a rupture of her Anterior Cruciate Ligament (ACL). She has been recovering with the club and has now missed the opportunity to represent her country at the FIFA Women’s World Cup in Australia. Despite this, Miedema’s goal against Everton was still one of the best scored this year and she was nominated for the goal of the season. Arsenal fans are hoping that Miedema will be back early into the 23/24 season, and with her first run and training back on pitches, this looks to be a possible reality, despite her having to have a second surgery on her knee.
Frida Maanum- MF- 12
Joined in 2021
Appearances- 61
Goals- 19
National team- Norway
With just two seasons in North London, Frida Maanum has already had over 60 appearances for the club. The number 12 is a consistent choice for Jonas Eidevell’s starting XI. Not only does she have technique and pace in the midfield but she’s dangerous in front of goal. The standout goal from her last season (22/23) is agreed to be her top corner belter against Bayern Munich at the Emirates. From outside the box, she secured a pivotal goal that helped Arsenal progress to the semi-finals of the Champions League competition. Frida Maanum has also decided to extend her contract with the club next season.
Lia Walti- MF- 13
Joined in 2018
Appearances- 110
Goals-1
National team- Switzerland
The Swiss captain is arguably one of the best defensive midfielders in the world. Commonly nicknamed ‘snake hips’ by Arsenal fans, she has sublime technique with the ball at her feet. She scored her first goal for the club last season against Liverpool, and it showed off her technical ability perfectly. Nearing the end of the 22/23 season, she suffered an ankle injury after a rough tackle against Everton, but luckily it was only minor, and she led her country out onto the field for the FIFA Women’s World Cup in the summer.
Sabrina D’Angelo- GK- 14
Joined in 2023
Appearances- 6
Clean sheets- 3
National team- Canada
Katie McCabe- DF- 15
Joined in 2015
Appearances- 119
Goals- 19
National team- Ireland
Despite being known for her impressive performances at left back, Katie McCabe can put on a show anywhere along the left flank. McCabe was appointed as Irish captain when she was just 21 and leads her country out onto the field to this day. She also helped Ireland secure their place in their first ever FIFA Women’s World Cup, however, they were knocked out in the group stages. Katie McCabe was the worthy winner of ‘the goal of the season’ award in the 22/23 season after her strike against Manchester City. This goal is also memorable considering McCabe’s resilience after she left the pitch in a boot six days before during their game previous. The number 15 is a critical part of the starting line-up, and her corner kicks and last-minute critical sliding tackles are an asset to the overall team performance.
Noelle Maritz- DF- 16
Joined in 2020
Appearances- 74
Goals- 0
National team- Switzerland
After the absence of Leah Williamson for some of last season, Noelle Maritz was called upon by Jonas Eidevell to take a place, consistently, in the starting line-ups. Maritz plays consistently for her national team, Switzerland, and most recently represented them in the FIFA Women’s World Cup. Maritz is arguably one of the best in the league at one-on-one defending and she is consistent in having impressive performances, week in, and week-out.
Lina Hurtig- FW- 17
Joined in 2022
Appearances- 19
Goals- 3
National team- Sweden
Lina Hurtig is an experienced player and isn’t a stranger to stepping up in big moments. Her history-making penalty that she scored against the USA this summer in the World Cup didn’t only knock out the previous world champions but was also one of the most talked about moments of the tournament. The Swedish international also took away a bronze medal from the major tournament and her impact on the success of the squad was apparent. Hurtig had scattered injuries across the 22/23 campaign but since the summer, the impact that she has on the squad’s performance in big moments could be greater.
Kaylan Marckese- GK- 18
(ON LOAN TO BRISTOL CITY)
Joined in 2022
Appearances- 2
Clean sheets- 1
National team- USA
Kaylan Marckese has joined Bristol City on a loan for the entirety of the 23/24 campaign so she will not be an option for Jonas Eidevell. It seems she’s hoping to get game time at the club after the team was promoted to the Barclays Women’s Super League after winning the Women’s Championship last season. Many are eager to see how Bristol City are going to perform against the toughest opponents in the English domestic leagues this season.
Caitlin Foord- FW- 19
Joined in 2020
Appearances- 87
Goals- 32
National team- Australia
Caitlin Foord can play anywhere across the front three, but she is often called upon on the left wing. In the 22/23 campaign, she was consistent for the squad as someone who could be relied on along the front line after the absence of both Beth Mead and Vivianne Miedema. One of her many impressive performances was in Arsenal’s UEFA Women’s Champions League fixture against Olympique Lyonnais where she scored two goals in their 5-1 victory. Foord is also a consistent starter for her national team, Australia. She represented her nation at the home World Cup tournament over the summer. She already has over 100 caps for the Matildas and made her debut for the senior team at only 16.
Gio Queiroz- FW- 20
Joined in 2023
Appearances- 12
Goals- 0
National team- Brazil
Gio Queiroz joined the club in 2022 on transfer from Barcelona. For the first half of the 22/23 season, she was on loan at Everton, another WSL side. She’s a young and talented player who even represented her country at the 2020 Olympics at only 18 years old. For the new season, the young star will be looking to improve more at the club and, she’ll want to be an impressive substitute option for manager Jonas Eidevell.
Victoria Pelova- MF- 21
Joined in 2023
Appearances- 21
Goals- 2
National team- Netherlands
Victoria Pelova joined the club in the January transfer window, and she’s been on form ever since. She’s already had 18 appearances for the Gunners, and she is a massive threat to the opposition on the wing with her sublime footwork and technique. She represented her country in all the Netherlands games in the World Cup this summer. Pelova was also featured in 14 of Jonas’ starting XIs across her 21 appearances for the club so far. She scored her debut goal for the club in the FA Cup against fourth tier Leeds United when Arsenal secured a 9-0 victory. Personally, I think she’s a great option to be starting matches this season as well, significantly as the new signings make their way into the line-ups along with those who were injured last season.
Kathrine Kuhl- MF- 22
Joined in 2023
Appearances- 18
Goals- 1
National team- Denmark
Another 20-year-old young star in Arsenal’s squad is Katherine Kuhl. Like Pelova, Kuhl also scored her debut goal against Leeds in their 9-0 victory. The Danish youngster is incredibly talented in the midfield and has immaculate footwork and technique on the ball. Nearing the end of the season, she was included in the starting XI even more so it will be great to see if she retains her spot there, especially amongst the new signings.
Alessia Russo- FW- 23
Joined in July 2023
Appearances- 0
Goals- 0
National team- England
Alessia Russo is arguably the most talked-about signing of the summer. She made the transfer from Manchester United to Arsenal just before the World Cup kicked off when she got a silver medal whilst representing England. Arsenal put in a bid for Russo in January but it was declined and they’ve managed to sign her on a free transfer this summer. It’ll be interesting to see whether Eidevall uses her as a starting player, or whether she fits into the super-sub role better.
Cloe Lacasse- FW- 24
Joined in 2023
Appearances- 0
Goals- 0
National team- Canada
Cloe Lacasse is an experienced football player who signed for the Gunners from Benfica just before the World Cup. She had some impressive performances for Canada in the World Cup but also put in a number of significant ones last season at club level. With Benfica last season, she won the 1a Divisao Women title, Taca de Liga Feminina, and Super Cup Women. Jonas Eidevell will be hoping Lacasse brings her winning ways to North London this season.
Stina Blackstenius- FW- 25
Joined in 2021
Appearances- 55
Goals- 25
National team- Sweden
Blackstenius is an excellent goal scorer and she proved this time and time again for Arsenal last season. She represented her country on the world stage in the summer and took home a bronze medal from the tournament. She was a consistent player for the club last season and was one of the few players who were fit for every game, so she was often included in the starting line-ups. Blackstenius now has competition for her position due to the signing of Russo and the comeback of Mead this season, so it’ll be interesting to see who Eidevall decides to play.
Laura Wienroither- DF- 26
Joined in 2021
Appearances- 42
Goals- 1
National team- Austria
Laura Wienroither was one of the Arsenal players who was unlucky to tear her ACL last season. She’ll be looking forward to coming back onto the field later this season. At the beginning of the 22/23 season, she was a great player for Eidevell to sub onto the field because of her strength and speed at the back.
Laia Codina- DF- 27
Joined in 2023
Appearances- 0
Goals- 0
National team- Spain
Laia Codina isn’t a stranger to winning major trophies. To sum it up, Codina recently won the World Cup with her home nation, Spain. Also, playing for Barcelona last season, she won the UEFA Women’s Champions League, Supercopa Femenina, and the Primera Division Femenina. Codina is looking to have an impact on the English game and will be an asset to Arsenal. She’ll fit well into the group of defenders Arsenal already has, tactical players who are very strong at the back of the field.
Amanda Ilestedt- DF- 28
Joined in 2023
Appearances- 0
Goals- 0
National team- Sweden
Amanda Ilestedt was one of the first announced signings of the summer before the World Cup kicked off. She had then put in a series of unbelievable performances for her country, Sweden, at the tournament and took home a Bronze Ball after scoring four goals. The team also took home a bronze medal at the end of the campaign. Despite playing on the defensive lines, it is clear that Ilestedt is going to be a target for corners due to her incredible skill in the air. She’s played for many notable clubs in Europe, PSG, and Bayern Munich, and her signing for Arsenal should bring her more success for the 23/24 campaign.
Teyah Goldie- DF- 29
Joined in 2020
Appearances- 4
Goals- 0
National team- England
Teyah Goldie has been very unlucky with her injuries since she signed for Arsenal. She tore her ACL in her left knee just over a year ago and on the road back to full fitness it has been announced she has torn her ACL in her right knee now as well. Jonas Eidevell and Arsenal fans hope she will be fit and ready for the next season (24/25).
Kyra Cooney-Cross- MF- 32
Joined in 2023
Appearances- 0
Goals- 0
National team- Australia
Kyra Cooney-Cross was Arsenal’s deadline-day transfer surprise. She signed with the Gunners just before the window closed and it’s fair to say that fans are excited to see how she develops with the club. Cooney-Cross is a player that this site has lauded for the whole of its four-year history. Now at the age of 21, and with an outstanding World Cup behind her, where she started all seven of the Matildas’ matches as they finished in fourth place, Cooney-Cross is ready to step it up even further. With two of her fellow Matildas players, Caitlin Foord, and Steph Catley, already playing for Arsenal, it is going to be exciting to see how she links up with them on the field, and the rest of the team, at club level.
Naomi Williams- GK- 40
Joined in 2023 (professional contract)
Appearances- 0
Clean sheets- 0
National team- England
Naomi Williams signed her first professional contract with Arsenal in the summer. She worked her way through the Arsenal academy and will hope to make her senior debut for the club this year. Williams is still young, only 18 years old, so its looking likely that she’ll develop as she gets older in the senior team.
Freya Godfrey- MF- 56
(ON LOAN TO CHARLTON ATHLETIC)
Joined in 2023 (professional contract)
Appearances- 0
Goals- 0
National team- England
The academy player, Freya Godfrey signed her first professional contract with Arsenal this summer. She’s moved on loan, for the entirety of the 23/24 campaign but she’ll come back to North London with plenty of game time and experience. Godfrey has recently represented England in the youth age groups. She’ll hope to fit into the squad for the next season.
Michelle Agyemang- FW- 59
(ON LOAN TO WATFORD)
Joined in 2023 (professional contract)
Appearances- 0
Goals- 0
National team- England
Similarly to Freya Godfrey, Michelle Agyemang has moved on transfer to Watford for the 23/24 campaign. The talented player has already had a debut for the senior team (but not under contract) and has scored a goal for them in the 9-0 victory against Leeds United in the FA Cup. She has recently represented England for the youth age groups. Agyemang will fit back into the Arsenal setup next season without a doubt.
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