Anna Patten re-signed with Arsenal Women, returning to the club after playing college football in the United States. Patten, 21, made his Arsenal debut in the Spring Series 2017, and played alongside Lotte Wubben-Moy, a fellow college graduate who returned to the club in September.
At the end of the Spring Series, Patten left for Florida State University, before transferring to the University of South Carolina after his second year. While in the state of Florida, Patten was part of a defense that maintained two clean sheets by winning the NCAA tournament. While in South Carolina, she was nominated for the first All SEC team in 2020.
Patten told Arsenal.com: “It feels incredible. Obviously I’ve been at the club since I was 12, so being back and being able to sign for the team is really a dream come true ”.
Patten can play on the wings, giving Arsenal greater defensive depth and versatility. With some players without a contract at the end of the season, and new requirements for home players and post-Brexit transfer rules, bringing Patten back was a no-brainer.
Coach Joe Montemurro said: “We think it fits Arsenal’s mentality, the style of play we want and the beauty of it is that we can work to improve it. It’s not like she’s a ready player, there’s still room for improvement, so it’s exciting to move on for all of us. ”