Arsenal women’s squad strength: ready for the 2024/25 season?

After a busy 2024 summer transfer window, Arsenal enter the new season with a mix of fresh faces and significant departures.

With three key signings and several outgoing players, the squad has been reshaped to address the challenges ahead.

As they gear up for the 2024/25 WSL season, Arsenal’s squad depth and transfer moves will play a critical role in determining whether they can compete across all competitions and mount a serious title challenge.

This article looks at the squad’s balance, homegrown player requirements, and where the new signings will make the biggest impact.

With the summer 2024 transfer window now closed, we know which players are available for the first part of the season in the league.

Recap of Arsenal’s transfer window moves:

Out:
Vivianne Miedema (Manchester City), Kaylan Marckese (Tampa Bay Sun), Sabrina D’Angelo (Aston Villa), Gio Queiroz (Atlético Madrid), Cloe Lacasse (Utah Royals),
Teyah Goldie (loan – London City Lionesses), Michelle Agyemang (loan – Brighton & Hove), Maddy Earl (dual registration – Bristol City)

Three new signings in, five players out, and three youngsters on loan may make it seem like the Arsenal squad is depleted.

However, as we have seen with the Champions League squad, Arsenal have a very healthy 24-player squad with the addition of three B-list players.

Barclays WSL squad and rules

Regarding the Barclays WSL squad, the registration rules differ from UEFA’s. Arsenal.com shows 28 players. Arsenal are allowed to register 26 players in the WSL as Amanda Ilestedt is pregnant, and FIFA allows for an extra player replacement.

While UEFA requires a minimum of eight locally trained players, the WSL, governed by Leagues OpCo, follows the FA Home Grown Player Rule.

Interestingly, this rule isn’t in the Barclays WSL 2024/25 rules, but in the FA Handbook 2024/25.

FA Home Grown Player Rule:

WSL clubs must have at least eight homegrown players in their squad list.

A homegrown player is defined as one registered with an FA-affiliated club for three seasons or 36 months before turning 21.

Player status changes:

Until this season, there was no PGA player status, but academy players now count as PGA players, meaning they don’t affect the 25-player squad list.

Only seven of Arsenal’s players are homegrown, but unlike UEFA, where a shortage of homegrown players reduces the squad size, the WSL imposes only a fixed penalty fine.

Arsenal boast a strong squad for the 2024/25 season, despite lacking experienced backup on the right wing following Cloe Lacasse’s departure. Nevertheless, the new signings have bolstered the team in key areas, positioning Arsenal to compete for silverware across four competitions and challenge for the WSL title.