Arsenal coach Jonas Eidevall says that Rafaelle Souza’s left footedness was a key factor in her signing. The Brazilian international signed for the club today.
Rafaelle is left-footed which is a key detail given that the other centre-halves, Jen Beattie, Leah Williamson, Lotte Wubben-Moy, Anna Patten (on loan at Aston Villa) and Simone Boye are all right-footed.
Arseblog News spoke to Eidevall about the signing in his pre Manchester United press conference and he said there were a few factors that drove the signing of the 30-year-old.
“For me it was a big to find a left-footed central defender because it helps a lot with the angles building up, especially when teams press you a little bit higher so to have a really good left footer in the build-up helps a lot with that.
“That alone is not enough, you need to be a good defender. From a communications perspective when I started to study Rafa, I know communication can take a little bit of time with the language.
Just look at what it means to @Rafaelleleone 🥰
— Arsenal Women (@ArsenalWFC) January 18, 2022
“But Rafa studied in the US and playing in the NWSL as well so her English is much better than mine is! So that was definitely not a problem and it helped, for me, that she has Swedish coaches in the Brazilian national team.
“The head coach (Pia Sundhage) and the assistant coaches are Swedish and they work with positional principles in defence that are very similar to the ones we have with Arsenal.
“That helped me a lot to see her in that context to see that she understands and can excel in those situations. I am very happy to add her here and I am very excited to work with her.”
The signing means the Gunners have added three new players to their ranks during the January transfer window with Swedish striker Stina Blackstenius and Austrian full-back Laura Wienroither also added to the squad.
Arseblog News asked Jonas Eidevall whether that concludes Arsenal’s business for this window, “I would imagine so, yes. You know it’s football but sincerely I think we are finished. From experience I don’t know for sure until it’s closed.”
The club website says “A pacey, skilful and experienced defender” in describing Fafa.
What more do we need to know?
Sounds like just what the doctor ordered!
Oh! She can use her left foot too!
She also is highly competitive and just a little nasty. Likes to get stuck in a bit. Hate it when the US National team plays the Brazilians.
As long as it is ‘just a little’ and not a red card waiting to happen!
I have thought for years we need a bit more bite in the team but I was thinking more in midfield especially after the loss of Dom and DvD but I’ll take it in the form of a CB.
How would rate the nastiness? Is it DVD/Katie level?
I’d say DvD and Katie are competitive and assertive rather than nasty. They stand up for themselves but they did not deliberately kick or take a swing at opponents. But I agree they have the sort of feistiness we can do with a bit more of.
Welcome on board the Arsenal, Rafa. Congrats
Looking Forward.
I hope she is quick enough with this league. I’m fed up with other old slow turtle CB we have in the team right now like Beattie, Sorensen and Schnarderbeck. Sell them off.
I think this is a bit disrespectful to be honest. All 3 have other positive qualities and a fit Viki isn’t even that slow her main problem being continuous injury.
If you read Tim’s other articles you’ll be aware that Jen and Viki are likely to be leaving in the summer anyway having given their best to the club so your post is unwarranted.
Ridiculous and Crass.