Arsenal have dropped some breaking news: four players are changing squad numbers ahead of the 26/27 season, and the reaction has already started.

In this short update I walk through:

•Who’s switching numbers and where they’re moving to

•How fans are already feeling about one change in particular

•My own take on what the new numbers say about roles and status in the squad

•The significance of it being 30 June – contract expiry day – and why from tomorrow we can hopefully start seeing transfer movement for Arsenal Women

It’s a quick check‑in from me between the bigger episodes: a bit of shirt‑number chat, a bit of fan reaction, and a nod to the fact that the real transfer conversations should start kicking off from 1 July.

Don't forget to connect on Instagram @arsenalwomentrailblazers

You can find all about the number changes and shirt exchanges here https://www.arsenal.com/news/four-players-opt-change-squad-numbers-2627

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

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Arsenal are on the verge of something really exciting up front.

In this episode I break down what Selina Cerci and Lisa Baum could bring to Arsenal Women, and how they plug straight into what we already have with Caitlin Foord, Alessia Russo, Stina Blackstenius, Chloe Kelly and Olivia Smith.

We chat through:

•Why Cerci looks like a proper “old‑school nine” with modern work‑rate

•What makes Baum such a ridiculous talent at just 19

•How Foord ties the whole thing together with her experience and aggression

•The different combinations: Cerci with Russo, Cerci with Foord, Baum with Kelly, Baum with Smith

•How all of this could change life for Russo in that slightly deeper role

It’s football‑fan talk about our potential new‑look front line - no chalkboards, no jargon, just what these players actually feel like and why oppositions should be really worried if (no, when) these deals get done.

Please join us over on Instagram @arsenalwomentrailblazers and make sure you're following for chances to win a Club ticket to an Arsenal Women WSL Home Game at the Emirates Stadium this coming season.

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

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In this episode I start with a couple of updates on former Arsenal favourites, with Victoria Pelova joining Tottenham and Lia Wälti potentially heading back to the WSL with Brighton.

Then it’s time for our first proper Trailblazers mailbag. I answer a question from @classic_womens_football on what Arsenal actually need to improve to close the gap on Manchester City, and why for me the real issue isn’t the attack but those fine defensive margins in games that swing on one or two moments.

I also answer two brilliant questions from @badgercyclist. First, why the women’s game is such a powerful gateway into football for new fans, especially women, families and the LGBTQ+ community, and why I still think Arsenal Women at the Emirates is one of the best and safest football experiences you can have.

And then we get into London City Lionesses. How dangerous are they really, what does their squad build say about Michelle Kang’s strategy, and are they starting to feel like the women’s version of the old Real Madrid Galácticos project?

If you enjoy the show, please subscribe, leave a rating and review if your app allows it, and share it with other Arsenal Women fans.

You can also come and find me on Instagram at @arsenalwomentrailblazers and send in your questions for the next mailbag.

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

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In this shorter news episode of Arsenal Women Trailblazers I cover two stories you need to know about today.

First up, the WSL and WSL2 have agreed that from next season clubs will be allowed to sell alcohol in the stands, in sight of the pitch, after two seasons of trials across the top two tiers and around 190 fixtures. I explain what has actually changed, why it is optional rather than mandatory, and why this will split opinion between fans who want a more relaxed matchday experience and those who are worried about importing the worst bits of the men’s game atmosphere into the women’s game. I also share how it sits with my own experience of the women’s game being more respectful and family friendly, and ask you whether you would like to see alcohol allowed in the bowl at Arsenal Women home games.

Then I switch to Arsenal news. Canada Soccer and Arsenal have confirmed that Olivia Smith has withdrawn from the Canada squad for the SheBelieves Cup after suffering a concussion, and she will stay in North London to recover under Arsenal’s medical team. I give a quick round up of what has been reported and then use it as a chance to look back at her first season in red and white. I talk about the pressure of arriving with the “first £1m women’s player” tag, her dream WSL debut where she scored and led the game for shots, touches in the box and dribbles, and why her direct ball carrying, shot volume and productivity have already justified the hype. I explain how she offers something different to our other forwards and why I think she is going to be a huge player for Arsenal over the next few years once she is fully recovered.

I finish by asking for your thoughts on both topics. Are you for or against alcohol in the stands at Arsenal Women games, and how impressed have you been with Olivia Smith’s debut season?

Please connect on Instagram by following Arsenal Women: Trailblazers : https://instagram.com/arsenalwomentrailblazers

DM for your chance to win a Club ticket to one of Arsenal Women's home games this coming season!

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

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

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

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Welcome back to Arsenal Women Trailblazers. This one is a short, breaking news style episode with two big bits of news and a couple of wider WSL storylines.

First up, I talk about Laia Codina’s move to West Ham. She stays in London on a three year deal after leaving Arsenal and I am genuinely happy for her. We look at why the Hammers project suits her, how her strengths in a low block might be a better fit there, and I go through her medals from Barcelona, Spain and Arsenal including the World Cup and that first ever Women’s Champions Cup. I also read some of her first words as a West Ham player and send her my best for this next chapter in East London.

I then zoom out to the wider WSL with the news that Mary Earps is back in England, signing for London City Lionesses after two years at PSG. I talk about why she is such a legend of the women’s game, the age profile of LCL’s “Galacticos” project under Michelle Kang and what it might mean for the league if they add players like Mapi León and maybe even Alexia Putellas in future.

Finally, we end on some really good Arsenal news. Alessia Russo has been voted Arsenal Women Fans’ Player of the Season after her best ever campaign for goals, with 24 in 40 games in all competitions. I go through the numbers, including her hat trick in the 5–2 derby win over Spurs and her record of scoring or assisting in six consecutive WSL away games, and I make the case for why she is already world class and will only get better with the right support around her. I also look ahead to how a midfield featuring names like Mariona, Kyra, Kim Little, plus potential arrivals like Georgia Stanway, Géraldine Reuteler, Selina Ciraci and Lisa Baum could unlock an even scarier version of Alessia next season.

If you have ideas for future player profiles or want to come to a game with me at the Emirates in club level, get in touch. This is your podcast and I want to build it with you.

Links:

Arsenal Women Trailblazers on Instagram: https://instagram.com/arsenalwomentrailblazers

Arsenal Women news section: https://www.arsenal.com/news

West Ham’s announcement of Laia Codina https://www.whufc.com/en/news/west-ham-united-sign-world-cup-winner-laia-codina

London City Lionesses announcement of Mary Earps https://www.londoncitylionesses.com/post/mary-earps-joins-london-city-lionesses

Camden New Journal piece by Steve Barnett on Alessia Russo’s Fans’ Player of the Season award https://www.camdennewjournal.co.uk/article/gunners-striker-russo-is-fans-player-of-the-year

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

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Welcome back to Arsenal Women Trailblazers. In this episode I am getting your diary sorted first, then your transfer fix. I walk you through all the key dates for the 2026–27 season: WSL opening weekend, Champions League league phase and knockouts, FA Cup rounds and the international breaks, so you do not have to keep rewinding the pod every time a draw comes out. I also point you to the Arsenal news section so you can see the whole list in one place.

Then we get to the good stuff. There is some lovely news with Alessia Russo, Chloe Kelly and Michelle Agyemang all picking up MBEs in the King’s Birthday Honours, plus an update on academy product Leila Harbert heading off to work with Jonas Eidevall again at San Diego Wave.

After that I dive into what you really want to talk about: Arsenal Women transfer news. I profile four players we are heavily linked with this summer and ask whether they are floor raisers or proper ceiling raisers for this squad.

•Ona Batlle as a potential starting left back to replace Katie McCabe

•Selina Circi as a right sided forward and goal threat in the Beth Mead zone

•Geraldine Reuteler as a ridiculously versatile midfielder who can pretty much play anywhere

•Lisa Baum as a 19 year old left footer who loves cutting in from the right and shooting from range

This is me doing the digging so you don't have to. Come tell me what you think about these four on Instagram at @arsenalwomentrailblazers and let's get into it.

Key Arsenal Women fixture dates : https://www.arsenal.com/news/key-dates-arsenal-women-202627

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

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In episode 3 of Arsenal Women: Trailblazers, Roberto jumps on mid‑week as the WSL transfer window opens to share season ticket news, transfer window dates, Leah Williamson’s latest injury setback, and a wave of confirmed departures from Arsenal Women.

He also unboxes the new home shirt (Steph Catley 7), explains how to renew or buy a WSL season ticket at Emirates, and makes a heartfelt invitation for listeners to join him in Club Level next season.

⚽ In this episode:

00:00 – Why this is a mid‑week episode & promise on breaking transfer news

02:21 – Learning from episode 2 and letting personality back into the pod

03:57 – New 2026/27 home shirt unboxing (Steph Catley 7, badges, delivery chaos)

06:17 – Why Steph Catley is Roberto’s choice this season

06:50 – Arsenal Women season ticket renewals, prices and six‑game bundle

08:43 – How to move seats, Club Level Block 42 and “Roberto’s Angels”

11:03 – Why the Emirates is such a good family matchday for Arsenal Women

13:18 – WSL summer and winter transfer window dates for 26/27

14:40 – Leah Williamson’s latest injury setback and Ibiza rehab break

17:10 – Why Arsenal must manage Leah carefully and how much she’s missed

17:58 – Katie McCabe to Chelsea: reaction, emotions and a call to stop abuse

20:05 – Criticism vs condemnation and why Arsenal must look in the mirror

21:30 – Caitlin Foord signs new Arsenal deal: what it means and why it matters

23:40 – Caitlin’s quotes on trophies, home away from home and the fans

26:04 – Arsenal’s huge attendances and why they attract top players

28:21 – Thoughts on potential big signings and online hate towards Foord

29:40 – Beth Mead to Man City: why it hurts less, Viv, and wishing her well

33:04 – Victoria Pelova set to join Spurs: context and farewell

35:26 – Manu Zinsberger to Borussia Dortmund: legacy, tears and gratitude

37:47 – Invitation to join Roberto in Club Level at Emirates next season

39:10 – How to get in touch and what might be coming in episode 4

💬 Get involved

Follow on Instagram: @arsenalwomentrailblazers

DM Roberto if you’d like to:

• share your thoughts on McCabe, Mead, Foord, Pelova or Manu
• be a future guest
• join him in Club Level for a WSL game this season

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

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.