Arsenal confirm Daphne van Domselaar signing from Aston Villa with Dutch goalkeeper set to compete with Manu Zinsberger for No.1 spot

Van Domselaar's tenure at Aston Villa showcased her remarkable skills, as she started in 14 out of 15 Women’s Super League (WSL) games last season until March. Unfortunately, her momentum was halted due to hip surgery which ended her season prematurely. Despite this setback, her performances remained a highlight of Villa’s season, earning her recognition and interest from top clubs like Arsenal.

The Dutch goalkeeper has also made her mark on the international stage. Van Domselaar was instrumental during the 2022 European Championship and played a crucial role for the Netherlands in the Women’s World Cup last summer, helping the team reach the quarter-finals.

Expressing her enthusiasm about the move, Van Domselaar stated, “I’m really happy to be here. If you look at Arsenal – the players, the team, the stadium – it’s a huge club and I’m so excited to be part of this club. I want to win trophies and achieve big things, and Arsenal is the right place for me to do both. I can’t wait to play at Emirates Stadium in front of all the supporters and show what I can do.”

Arsenal manager Jonas Eidevall had been vocal about the need for a robust goalkeeping roster. The pursuit of a new goalkeeper gained steam in January when Sabrina D’Angelo went to participate in the Gold Cup. In response, Arsenal brought in Sarah Bouhaddi on a short-term deal. However, Bouhaddi, along with D’Angelo and Kaylan Marckese, left the club this summer, leaving a gap that Van Domselaar is expected to fill.

“We’re delighted to bring Daphne to the club,” Eidevall added. “She is a top goalkeeper and already has considerable experience on some of the biggest stages, while we believe she has a great deal of potential for future development, too. Daphne will further strengthen our goalkeeper unit alongside Manu (Zinsberger) and Naomi (Williams), and will be a strong addition to the team as we prepare for an important new season.”

Van Domselaar brings a different style to Arsenal’s goalkeeping department. Known for her ability to play out from the back, she contrasts with Zinsberger’s style. This diversity in goalkeeping techniques provides Arsenal with tactical flexibility, allowing them to adapt their game based on the opposition and match situations. As the new season approaches, Eidevaal will be keen to see how Van Domselaar integrates into the team and competes for the starting role with Zinsberger.