'It speaks about what it means to wear this shirt'

The transatlantic crossing is becoming a well-trodden path for our academy graduates.

First Lotte Wubben-Moy returned to the club last summer, following a spell in North Carolina, before Anna Patten re-joined us this week after calling time on her American adventure.

But our youngsters' desire to come back to their childhood club comes as no surprise to Joe Montemurro.

"I think it speaks for itself," our head coach told Arsenal Media. "It speaks about the integrity, the respect and what it means to wear this shirt, what it means to represent this great club.

"We had the girls coming back to train with us when they were back in the UK during the off-season in the US, so we did always keep tabs. I was always keeping tabs in regards to their athletic development, their football, through videos and discussions with coaches.

"We were always keen to make it part of us going forward, to develop youth and players, but also players that understand what it means to play for this great club. That's also of great importance and I'm privileged to be able to give them the opportunity."