Arsenal Women sign Anna Patten

Anna Patten has re-signed for Arsenal Women, returning to the club after playing college soccer in the United States. Patten, 21, made her debut for Arsenal in the 2017 Spring Series, and played alongside Lotte Wubben-Moy, a fellow academy graduate who returned to the club in September.

At the end of the Spring Series, Patten left for Florida State University, before transferring for the University of South Carolina after her sophomore year. While at Florida State, Patten was part of a defence that kept two clean sheets in winning the NCAA tournament. While at South Carolina, she was named to 2020’s All SEC first team.

Patten told Arsenal.com, “It’s such an amazing feeling. Obviously I’ve been at the club since I was 12, so to be back and be able to fully sign for the team really is like a dream come true.”

Patten can play across the back four, giving Arsenal increased defensive depth and versatility. With some players out of contract at the end of the season, and new homegrown player requirements and post-Brexit transfer rules, bringing Patten back ended up being a no-brainer.

Manager Joe Montemurro said: “We think that she suits the Arsenal mentality, the style of play we want and the beauty of it is that we can work to improve her. It’s not as if she’s a ready-made player, there’s still room for improvement so it’s exciting going forward for all of us.”