The Women's Super League transfer window has only been open for a few days but Arsenal have already moved to bring in some new faces.
The Gunners had to contend with a series of injury troubles last term and did well to secure a third-place WSL finish despite losing four senior players - including attacking duo Beth Mead and Vivianne Miedema - to ACL injuries. With a number of players still working their way back to full fitness, and some having already left the club, the need to bring in some fresh blood is a pressing one for Jonas Eidevall and his staff.
After Arsenal's world-record January bid for Manchester United's Alessia Russo was rejected, the England striker has finally made the switch to Meadow Park on a free transfer. And, if the opening weeks of the window is anything to go by, it looks as if it's going to be a busy couple of months for the Gunners.
Here's a round-up of the window so far including incomings, outgoings and contract extensions
READ MORE: Alessia Russo joins Arsenal on free transfer months after Man United reject world-record bid
Incomings
Arsenal's first signing of the summer was central defender Amanda Ilestedt. The 30-year-old Sweden international won the French Cup during a two-year spell at PSG, having joined from Bayern Munich in 2021.
And the Gunners have also moved to bolster their attacking ranks with the addition of Canada forward Cloe Lacasse from Benfica. The 29-year-old won three league titles, three Portuguese League Cups and two Portuguese Super Cups during four years with the Eagles.
The club have also confirmed the highly anticipated arrival of Russo, who joins on a free transfer following the expiration of her contract with United. She will wear the number 23 shirt and will join up with her new teammates later in the summer following the conclusion of the Women's World Cup in August.
Outgoings
One of the biggest surprises of the WSL transfer window so far was the departure of centre back Rafaelle Souza. The 31-year-old Brazil captain has been a standout performer for Arsenal since joining the club in January 2022.
Also leaving Meadow Park this summer is midfielder Mana Iwabuchi. The Japan international made 28 appearances in all competitions and scored a total of six goals for the Gunners, before spending the second half of the 2022/23 campaign on loan at Tottenham.
Goalkeeper Fran Stenson has also left the club on the expiry of her contract. Stenson joined Arsenal from Manchester City in the summer of 2018 and enjoyed a number of loan spells during her time with the Gunners.
Prior to joining City, Stenson had played first team football at Birmingham City. Stenson has spent time on loan at Blackburn Rovers, Brighton, Birmingham City and Sheffield United during her time in North London
Contract extensions
Since the turn of the year, Arsenal have worked to tie down a number of their key players to new contracts. Since March, Manuela Zinsberger, Kim Little, Lia Wälti, Frida Maanum, Steph Catley, Caitlin Foord, Freya Godfrey, Naomi Williams, Michelle Agyemang and Jen Beattie have all penned new deals.
