3 Arsenal league awards and 1st professional contract signed | OneFootball

Arsenal Women capped off December with three awards, a milestone signing, and growing confidence in the Barclays Women’s Super League.

Photo by Jan Kruger/Getty Images

Interim coach Renée Slegers was named Barclays WSL Manager of the Month after leading Arsenal on an unbeaten three-month run.

December saw victories against Aston Villa and Liverpool, with clean sheets in both games, lifting Arsenal to third in the table, a single point behind Manchester City.

Slegers, is among the finalists for the permanent managerial role as the club’s search nears its conclusion. Slegers, a former Dutch international, has led Arsenal to 10 wins in 11 unbeaten matches since Jonas Eidevall resigned in October. While the club has conducted a global search, Slegers’ strong form and December’s WSL Manager of the Month award have increased support for her appointment. Arsenal, currently third in the WSL, aim to finalise the decision before their next league match against Crystal Palace.

Alessia Russo claimed both the Barclays WSL Player and Goal of the Month awards. Her December performances included a brace in a commanding 4-0 victory over Villa and a match-winning goal at Liverpool.

Russo’s second strike against Villa, a stunning top-corner finish, also won Arsenal’s Goal of the Month.

Photo by Harry Murphy/Getty Images

Off the pitch, Arsenal celebrated academy graduate Madison Earl signing her first professional contract.

The 18-year-old midfielder, who shone in Arsenal’s youth ranks, including a standout performance in the FIFA Blue Stars tournament, expressed her pride: “Signing my first professional contract with Arsenal, my childhood club, is such an honour.”

Photo by Daniel Pockett/Getty Images

Earl’s early senior experience included a loan spell at Bristol City, providing invaluable development opportunities.

Head of Player Development James Honeyman and Director of Women’s Football Clare Wheatley praised her journey, emphasising her potential to thrive at the highest level.