Arsenal Women goalkeeper Fran Stenson has left the club on the expiry of her contract. Stenson joined the club from Manchester City in the summer of 2018 and was incredibly highly rated as a teenager.
Prior to joining City, Stenson had played first team football at Birmingham City. Stenson has spent time on loan at Blackburn Rovers, Brighton, Birmingham City and Sheffield United during her time in North London.
However, the 22-year-old only played one game for the Gunners’ first team, a 4-0 win over London City Lionesses in the Conti Cup in November 2020. Stenson is now free to join a new club.
Mana Iwabuchi is also widely expected to leave the club this summer, Iwabuchi was a notable omission from Japan’s World Cup squad having been one of their star players since Japan won the 2011 World Cup.
All the best to her – shame it didn’t work out. Wishing her better luck at her new club.
Good luck Fran. I think you’ve earned some after the appalling run of hand injuries that have blighted your career.
Under the old player sponsorship scheme I sponsored Fran 2020/2021 season. As part of the package sponsors were presented with sponsee match worn shirt……as Fran only made one senior appearance for AWFC that shirt is quite unique.
Hang on to the shirt it will escalate in value when she is running out for England! Not surprised to see her go given the number of keepers we have but that doesn’t mean I am not disappointed. I only saw her play the second half in a pre-season friendly against the Spuds a few years ago and as a teenager she looked pretty damn good. Unfortunately, persistent injury and limited opportunity when she was fit to play have cost her. Let’s hope she can find a club that can allow her to actually play and develop into the goalkeeper… Read more »
Unique indeed. And the shirt of a player who never conceded a goal for Arsenal 😉
Sad about Mana Iwabuchi, who is a very talented player & a World Cup Winner, who I feel could have been used more by both managers she played under.
I share the sadness on what might have been for Mana. Great baller and smashing personality.
In terms of her Arsenal career she was bought in to play “Joe Ball” but he left when she joined and never really fitted the “Jonas Ball” blueprint.