Welcome back to Arsenal Women Trailblazers. In this episode I start with a quick reality check on the transfer window and why we probably will not see Arsenal announce anything major until player contracts officially expire at the end of June. The club tends to stay respectful of existing deals, which makes fans impatient, but there is plenty happening around us in the meantime.

I begin with some wider European and WSL news. Former Gunner and Real Madrid star Caroline Weir has joined Lyon on a three year deal, adding even more firepower to a midfield we might see again in the Champions League. I talk about why Lyon wanted her, why she loved the project and why I hope she is on the bench if we draw them next season. I then move to the WSL where Spurs have signed Scotland forward Kirsty Hanson from Aston Villa after a twelve goal season in the league, with only Khadija Shaw and Alessia Russo scoring more. I explain why that is a big blow for Villa and why it matters to Arsenal that our neighbours are building a much more dangerous front line.

The main focus of the episode is Georgia Stanway. I spend time on why I am so excited about her potential move, what she would bring to Arsenal and how she could change the entire personality of our midfield. I look at her journey from a teenage breakout at Manchester City, to a Champions League level starter at Bayern Munich, to a key part of England’s Euro winning team. I break down her game as an all action eight who loves duels and pressing, can carry the ball, switch play and smash in long range shots, and I talk through different ways she could be used alongside Kyra Cooney Cross, Kim Little, Mariona and any other midfield arrivals. There is also chat about our ongoing issues with set piece defending and second balls and why someone with Stanway’s intensity and mentality could help close that gap.

I finish by asking you to pick your ideal midfield around Georgia if she does sign and to tell me in which games, if any, you would actually leave her out. Get in touch on Instagram at @arsenalwomentrailblazers, and if you want to join me at the Emirates for a home game next season in club level, drop me a message so I can add you to the list.

Arsenal Women: Trailblazers is a twice‑weekly fan podcast dedicated to Arsenal Women and AWFC. Join host Roberto Revilla every Monday and Friday for news, match previews and reports, tactical talking points and the stories that make Arsenal Women true trailblazers.

Intro/Outro Music thanks to raspberrymusic from Pixabay

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