‘When I first heard of it, I couldn’t believe it!’

We completed our second signing of the January transfer window on Saturday, as we announced Laura Wienroither’s arrival from Hoffenheim. 

The 23-year-old defender has vast experience in the Frauen-Bundesliga and Champions League to date - and now she’s ready for a new challenge in England. 

Read a full transcript from our first interview with Laura below:  

on how it feels to have joined the club…

I think it’s an incredible feeling for me. I’m really happy to be here and to have the opportunity and I’m looking forward to being with the team. 

on how long she’s known about Arsenal’s interest…

The first contact was in the end of November. I can’t describe it in words how it feels to be here, so I’m really looking forward to it. When I first heard about it I couldn’t believe it and I still can’t believe it, so I’m really looking forward to it. 

on why it’s the right time to move to England…

I’m at an age where I can join Arsenal. We had a good last season with Hoffenheim so it was a perfect finish and now I’m happy to be here. 

on her style of play…

I think I can run over 90 minutes and I can be a creative player. I can also be a little aggressive girl a bit, so yeah, that’s my type of play! 

on whether some WSL wingers will be in for a tough battle…

Yeah, not unfair, but a little bit… I don’t know the English word! 

on having Viktoria Schnaderbeck and Manuela Zinsberger at the club…

Yeah, it’s good to have some Austrian players here. I think they will help me a lot in my first days and I’m really glad that I have them. 

on whether she’s excited to work with any players in particular… 

I don’t want to pick someone out because I think it’s an incredible team and everybody has their own style of play and personality. I’m really looking forward to training with the whole team. 

on whether she’ll fit in with Arsenal’s style of play…

Yeah, I hope so! I’m really looking forward to being a part of this team and this style of play.