Arsenal has officially announced the signing of Ona Batlle from Barcelona on a permanent deal of undisclosed length. The 27-year-old full-back returns to the WSL after re-joining Barcelona in the summer of 2023, following her departure from Manchester United, where she made a significant impact over three seasons.

During her time at Barcelona, Batlle made 114 appearances and scored 14 goals. After the transfer was confirmed, she expressed her excitement, stating, "I'm very happy and excited to get going. Arsenal is one of the biggest clubs in the world, and I can't wait to feel the joy of playing in front of our supporters at Emirates Stadium alongside so many great players. I want to win trophies and I feel this is the right place to achieve that."

Renee Slegers, Arsenal's head coach, shared her enthusiasm about Batlle's arrival, highlighting her experience and strong attacking capabilities. "She's a hugely experienced full-back with strong attacking intent and great physical attributes. She's a winner and we want to go for more wins together," Slegers noted.

Batlle's track record includes 76 senior caps for Spain, where she was part of the squad that clinched the 2023 World Cup.

This signing marks a pivotal moment as Arsenal aims to strengthen their squad amidst fierce competition from rivals like Manchester City, Chelsea, and Tottenham. Arsenal's transfer strategy appears to be on point, with Batlle joining other notable signings such as Georgia Stanway from Bayern Munich and newcomers from the Bundesliga.

As Arsenal prepares for the upcoming season, the focus will be on how quickly these experienced players can adapt to the WSL and contribute to the club's ambitions.