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Where are they now: 4 players of Arsenal’s bench from their last outing against Everton are not at the North London club

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Arsenal vs. Everton last matchday of the 2023-24 EPL Season (via Al Jazeera)

Here is everything you should know about where the 4 players from the Arsenal bench during their last outing at Everton, are at now

It’s been seven months since Arsenal last played Everton. It was the last matchday of the 2023/24 EPL season, and Arsenal still had a glimmer of hope of lifting the title, with Manchester City needing a win of their last match against West Ham United.

With both matches taking place at the same time, City soon took the lead through Phil Foden in only the second minute. Their lead was doubled quarter-of-an-hour later, when Foden struck again. West Ham then pulled one back through Mohammed Kudus in the 42nd minute, giving Arsenal fans more to cheer for than their very own.

However, the ever-dependable Rodri struck just before the hour mark to restore the Cityzens’ two-goal advantage. It was quite plain-sailing for Pep Guardiola’s men from there, and the match eventually ended 3-1.

Arsenal, meanwhile, struggled to breakdown Everton’s defense. In fact, it was the visiting team from Merseyside who got the lead through Idrissa Gueye in the 40th minute. However, the Gunners equalized a couple of minutes later through Takehiro Tomiyasu, making it 1-1 going into the second half. Just like when the fans thought that Arsenal wouldn’t even be getting a consolation win, Kai Havertz found the back of the net, one minute before the regulation time, to put the Gunners 2-1 up.

Arsenal finished 2 points behind Manchester City in the table, finishing runners-up for the second year running. However, in this article we take a look at the 4 players from Arsenal bench who are currently not at the club.

Aaron Ramsdale

Aaron Ramsdale lost his starting role as a goalkeeper ever since David Raya arrived on loan from Brentford. He was then used only for Cup games of less importance. With Raya then joining the Gunners on a permanent transfer, Ramsdale left for Southampton in the 2024/25 season, and has been a regular starter there.

Emile Smith Rowe

Emile Smith Rowe
Emile Smith Rowe in action for Arsenal back in 2018 (via X)

Had it not been for injuries, Emile Smith Rowe might have gone on to become another key player at the club like Bukayo Saka. But the Englishman’s fitness largely affected his game time, and the Englishman, after 6 years as pro at Arsenal, joined Fulham on a permanent transfer. He starts regularly for them.

Fabio Vieira

There was a lot of hype and excitement around when Fabio Vieira signed for Arsenal from Porto back in 2022. However, the young Portuguese never really lived up to his potential/hype, eventually only coming off off the bench for the club, and starting games of less importance. He has now been loaned out to Porto.

Eddie Nketiah

Eddie Nketiah
Eddie Nketiah for Arsenal back in 2017 (via X)

Eddie Nketiah was always a decent backup striker for Arsenal through the years. However, in the 2023/24 season he did get a boatload of game time in the English Premier League. While it looked like he might stay as the main striker for the North London club for another year, Nketiah

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Leah Williamson named Reading ambassador as new campaign launches at Emirates Stadium

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Leah Williamson

Arsenal captain Leah Williamson has been announced as a National Year of Reading ambassador following the official launch of the 2026 campaign at Emirates Stadium.

The Education Secretary Bridget Phillipson unveiled the Go All In initiative on January 13, positioning reading as a gateway to enhancing passions across all walks of life.

Williamson joined a stellar lineup of ambassadors including author Julia Donaldson, illustrator Axel Scheffler, poet Jackie Kay, and several other prominent figures from literature and public life. The event marked a significant moment for literacy promotion in the country, with the campaign centred on the message that reading can deepen enjoyment of whatever people already love.

A Message From the Pitch

Speaking at the launch, Williamson drew parallels between football and reading. She said the National Year of Reading represents a chance to fully commit to personal passions through literature in all its forms. The Arsenal skipper encouraged people to seize the opportunity by picking up books, listening to audiobooks, or diving into articles related to their interests. Her involvement underscores how sports figures can champion reading beyond their professional domains.

Resetting Reading Culture

Joanna Prior, chief executive of Pan Macmillan and chair of The National Literacy Trust, described the launch as a once-in-a-generation opportunity to transform how Britain views books.

The ambition extends beyond traditional reading spaces, aiming to make literature accessible in communities, schools, and even on football pitches. Prior emphasized stripping away pressure and stigma around reading, making it relevant and enjoyable rather than obligatory.

The campaign represents a coordinated national effort to boost literacy rates and foster a genuine love of reading across all demographics and age groups throughout 2026.

Also read: Jodie Taylor Appointed Arsenal Women’s First Ever Technical Director

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Arsenal Women vs. Manchester United Women: Predicted Lineups + Match Preview

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Arsenal Women vs. Manchester United Women

Arsenal Women host Manchester United on Saturday in a crucial six pointer for Champions League qualification. The Gunners sit just one point above United in the WSL table and victory at Emirates Stadium would give them a strong buffer, while defeat leaves them playing catch up in the race for Europe.

https://twitter.com/Txcharlie4/status/2009703149280596293

The match marks Arsenal’s return from the winter break following a busy week that saw Renee Slegers sign a new contract and Jodie Taylor promoted to Technical Director. However, the immediate focus is on securing three points against Marc Skinner’s side in what promises to be a tense encounter.

Kick-off: 12:30 GMT, Saturday, January 11, 2026
Venue: Emirates Stadium, London
TV: Sky Sports (UK)

https://twitter.com/ArsenalWFC/status/2009702713941209318

Cooney Cross Absent For Personal Reasons

Arsenal will be without Kyra Cooney Cross who has returned to Australia for personal reasons. Daphne van Domselaar is not quite ready to return from a quad injury while Chloe Kelly remains out with a knee problem. Jenna Nighswonger will not be in the matchday squad as she negotiates a loan move.

https://twitter.com/ArsenalWFC/status/2009641463299310048

New signing Smilla Holmberg from Hammarby will be in the squad alongside recalled goalkeeper Naomi Williams. Manu Zinsberger and Katie Reid are out with ACL injuries. The absence of Cooney Cross means Mariona will likely drop into the deeper midfield role she has occupied for much of the last year.

United Strengthened in January

Manchester United have been busy in the transfer window, adding full back Hanna Lundkvist from San Diego Wave and centre forward Lea Schuller from Bayern Munich. Skinner was dealt a poor hand over the summer with a very small squad handling Champions League qualifiers and the group phase.

https://twitter.com/ManUtdWomen/status/2008211136315871559

Predicted Lineup:

Arsenal (4-3-3): Borbe; Fox, Williamson, Catley, McCabe; Little, Mariona, Maanum; Mead, Russo, Smith

Manchester United (4-2-3-1): Tullis Joyce; Lundkvist, Le Tissier, Janssen, Sandberg; Miyazawa, Zigiotti; Park, Malard, Awujo; Schuller

https://twitter.com/ManUtdWomen/status/2009584938576924935

Also read: Arsenal Women disable social media comments after sexist backlash to new signing

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Jodie Taylor Appointed Arsenal Women’s First Ever Technical Director

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Jodie Taylor

Arsenal confirmed on January 9, 2026 that Jodie Taylor has been appointed as the club’s first ever Technical Director.

The 39-year-old former England striker moves up from her existing role as Technical Services Manager, a position she has held since September 2023 following her retirement from professional football.

https://twitter.com/afcstuff/status/2009554871960101040

Taylor’s promotion comes on the same day Arsenal announced Renee Slegers’ new contract extension through 2029, creating a strategic restructuring of the women’s football department.

https://twitter.com/DAZNWFootball/status/2009582785158336757

A Decade Long Arsenal Connection

Taylor’s relationship with Arsenal spans ten years since first joining as a player in 2016. She scored 10 goals in 17 appearances during her initial spell before returning on a short-term deal in March 2023. Taylor earned 50 plus England caps during her international career and won the Golden Boot at Euro 2017.

https://twitter.com/GoodMore15496/status/2009569145055044031

She represented her country at the 2015 Women’s World Cup finishing third and played for multiple elite clubs including Lyon, Orlando Pride, Portland Thorns and San Diego Wave throughout her career.

Strategic Structural Development

Taylor’s new role bridges critical areas of football operations including recruitment, analysis, coaching and performance support. She will work closely with Renee Slegers on a daily basis as the Technical Director, providing structural support for coaching decisions and squad development.

Director of Women’s Football Clare Wheatley praised Taylor’s appointment as integral to continued development of the program as Arsenal challenges for major trophies consistently. Wheatley will now focus on upward management across UEFA, FIFA and domestic boards while Taylor handles day to day operations.

https://twitter.com/ArsenalWFC/status/2009551042380472590

Building a High Performance Environment

Taylor expressed immense pride stepping into her new position, emphasizing Arsenal’s remarkable growth over the past decade. She committed to nurturing a high-performance environment where players, coaching staff and support teams have the right tools to deliver at the highest level.

Her appointment represents investment in female leadership within Arsenal’s technical infrastructure, aligning with the club’s commitment to developing their women’s program systematically and strategically moving forward into their next phase.

Also read: Arsenal Women disable social media comments after sexist backlash to new signing

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