Arsenal midfielder Ruby Mace has joined WSL side Birmingham City on loan until the end of the season. The 17-year old made her debut in the 6-1 victory over Sp*rs in September. Ruby has been a regular feature in match day squads this season, particularly as an autumn injury crisis gripped the squad.
However, with a number of players returning from injury now, Mace’s opportunities have been limited and she hasn’t played since a 10-minute substitute appearances against Sp*rs in the Conti Cup on 18th November.
Welcome to Blues, @officicalRM! 🔵
Mace will be dual signing with the team until the end of the season and remains a registered player with Arsenal’s WSL Academy. 🤝
— Birmingham City Women (@BCFCwomen) February 2, 2021
Mace will remain registered with Arsenal’s academy team for the duration of the season, meaning she can represent them as well. However, the academy league is currently suspended because it does not qualify as “elite status” under current coronavirus guidance.
Birmingham have a very small squad so it seems likely that Mace will get some game time at Carla Ward’s side. Blues boss Carla Ward said, “I am delighted that Arsenal have allowed us the opportunity to work with Ruby, she’s a gifted young player with so much potential. This a great opportunity for her to come in and get valuable WSL experience and add some real quality to the group.”
Good luck to Ruby. Seems like a perfect deal for all parties. Birmingham is the best coached team in the second half of the table.
I wish we would have sent Fran also out on loan. Her development must suffer at moment with no game time. And to be honest, given how off form Manu have been this season, it isn’t good that she can’t get gametime at all here.
Yes don’t understand Joe at all at times. Manu is having a ‘mare this season so why not let Fran have a game? She’s pretty good already and experience should only make her get better!
I don’t know how good she is. But I know that she has played less than 10 games in two seasons and just one this year. However great her potential may be, there will be no development without gametime. And like you said given our goalkeeping level this year, if she can’t get gametime before Manu, she won’t be anywhere near the level we need. I don’t want to pile on Manu after every game, but she still gives away a goal per game. Fran literally can’t be worse. Joe said that Fran will be the future Arsenal and England… Read more »
I believe Fran is as good as the three you mention and she has the physical attributes i.e. tall and agile that a goalkeeper needs. Joe seems to have this ageist issue where because she is young she is for the future but if you think like that then Leah, Jordan, Meado and others would not be where they are now. Someone had to take a punt on them at sometime while they were young and it paid off. I would say Fran is better than Manu already but until she gets regular game time no one will know.