Arsenal: Increasing women’s squad diversity ‘a key priority’

Arsenal have admitted there is a lack of diversity in their women’s team after facing a backlash following the release of their squad photo for the 2023-24 season, which featured an all-white squad.

Arsenal posted a group photo earlier this month, none of the 27 players pictured were from a black or minority ethnic (BAME) background, unlike the men’s team which includes several BAME players including Bukayo Saka and Gabriel Jesus.

“We recognize that our current women’s first team does not reflect the diversity that exists within the club and the communities we represent,” Arsenal said in a statement.

“Increasing the participation of young women and girls from diverse backgrounds is a key priority for us academically, with specific measures in place to improve pathways and accessibility.

“Across all of our teams, including our men’s and women’s academies, we are proud of our players from diverse backgrounds who have contributed to our history, success and culture.

“It is a priority for the club to continue to foster greater diversity and inclusion and create a sense of belonging for everyone connected with the club.”

England under-17 international Michelle Agyemang is on Arsenal’s books but will spend this season on loan at Watford and was therefore not part of the team photo.

A source close to the club told ESPN that initiatives have been introduced by Arsenal to try to diversify representation at the club since the women’s training base moved from north London to Hertfordshire, including the club covering costs travel of certain players to attend sessions.

Arsenal previously had several prominent black players, including Rachel Yankey, Alex Scott, Danielle Carter and Lianne Sanderson.

There has been a wider debate about the lack of diversity in women’s football in England, leading the Football Association (FA) to review the players’ pathway in February, following a three-year review.

Part of the plan included ensuring that top girls’ academies were more accessible to those in inner cities, despite criticism that too many of them were being set up in rural areas.

The FA has presented proposals aimed at ensuring that “95% of players [can] access an emerging talent center within an hour of where they live by 2024.”

The England national team have also come under pressure due to a lack of diversity within their squad, with no players from BAME backgrounds starting the team’s victory over Germany in the final of the Women’s Euro 2022.