Arsenal goalkeeper Naomi Williams has joined Barclays Women’s Super League 2 side Bristol City on loan for the 2025-26 season.
The 20-year-old goalkeeper has been with the Gunners since the age of 13 when she joined the academy, and signed her first professional contract at the club in the summer of 2023.
The England youth international has not yet made the breakthrough into the first team, although she has been named in matchday squads over the past three years, including in the UEFA Women’s Champions League final. However, she has not been able to stake a claim as permanent second-choice goalkeeper, or challenge for the starting spot.
Arsenal’s goalkeeping union
In 2022-23, Manuela Zinsberger was the first-choice goalkeeper, with American Kaylan Marckese her back-up, and Canadian Sabrina D’Angelo signed during the season – meaning at one point there were a quartet of goalkeepers vying for places.
In 2023-24, after Marckese’s departure, Zinsberger and D’Angelo were the two senior goalkeepers.
Last season, Daphne van Domselaar and Zinsberger were both ahead of her in the first-team pecking order; now new signing Anneka Borbe has also moved ahead of Williams.
Williams has also continued to play for the academy and youth sides alongside her first-team involvement.
Arsenal’s transfer activity
Arsenal have been heavily active in the transfer market this summer as they refresh their squad. They have loaned out several young players as well as Williams, including Rosa Kafaji and Lionesses superstar Michelle Agyemang to Brighton and Hove Albion, and Laila Harbert to Portland Thorns in the NWSL.
Several other players have made permanent moves, with Swedes Lina Hurtig and Amanda Ilestedt both leaving at the end of the 2024-25 season, moving to Fiorentina and Eintracht Frankfurt respectively. Teyah Goldie and Freya Godfrey signed for London City Lionesses, while Laura Wienroither joined Manchester City.
Borbe is one of a handful of incoming players, alongside Chloe Kelly making her loan move permanent, and Taylor Hinds and Olivia Smith joining from Liverpool.
Renee Slegers’ team begin their Women’s Super League season at the Emirates on Saturday, 6th September, against London City Lionesses.
Bristol City’s season ahead
Bristol City’s current number one goalkeeper is Fran Bentley, also an England youth international, and formerly of Manchester United.
She recently talked about the club’s ambitions, saying: “I’m really excited to see how things go this season.
“We’ve got lots of new exciting things going on and big ambitions. Hopefully, we will be pushing for promotion.”
Bristol City start their WSL2 campaign against Birmingham City on Sunday, 7th September.
