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January is likely to be a season-defining month for Arsenal Women, both on and off the pitch. Renée Slegers' side returns to action after the winter break, against Manchester United at Emirates Stadium on Saturday lunchtime. Given that Marc Skinner's side is just one point and one place below in the WSL table, this is a key encounter.
Later in the month, the Gunners will take on six-in-a-row champions Chelsea at Stamford Bridge, probably needing to beat Sonia Bompastor's team, given that they are two points behind, but eight adrift league-leaders Manchester City. To conclude January, the champions of Europe will be seeking to become champions of the world.
Slegers' side will meet African champions AS FAR at the Brentford Community Stadium in the inaugural FIFA Women's Champions Cup semi-finals. Assuming the progress, Arsenal are likely to face NWSL champions Gotham at the Emirates on Sunday, 1 February for the right to become world champions.
With plenty to play for, including seeking to retain their Champions League crown, the Gunners are aiming to reinforce in the January transfer window. Their first signing has got supporters excited.
Why supporters should be excited about Smilla Holmberg
On Monday, Arsenal confirmed the signing of Smilla Holmberg. The 19-year-old right-back arrived from Hammarby, with whom she won a Damallsvenskan title as well as two Svenska Cupens. As recently as November, she also scored against Ajax in the UEFA Europa Cup as her side smashed the Dutch giants 6-2 on aggregate to reach the quarter-finals.
Holmberg's performances at club level have earnt international recognition too. She has won 11 caps for Sweden, the youngest member of Peter Gerhardsson's squad at last summer's Euros. At that tournament, the teenager featured in three of the Blågult's matches, playing for more than an hour, including extra time, of their quarter-final defeat to England at Stadion Letzigrund.
Upon arriving at Arsenal, Holmberg expressed her excitement about the move:
" I want to see how far I can go, and I think Arsenal is the best place to be in. My dream has always been to play in Arsenal, so it's fantastic."Smilla Holmberg
In a separate social media clip, when asked "what do you want to achieve", Holmberg replied "win titles", which will be exactly what supporters want to hear.
Before Champions League glory in Lisbon last year, the Gunners had picked up just two Conti Cups in six seasons. The most-recent of the Gunners' record 14 FA Cup triumphs came in 2016, while they've not won the WSL since 2019, unable to disrupt Chelsea's monopolisation.
It remains to be seen if Holmberg will be the first choice straight away. USWNT international Emily Fox has started all but one WSL match so far this season, as well as the first four Champions League matches. Nevertheless, as Arsenal fight on four fronts, potentially playing as many as 45 matches this season, that's the aim anyway, squad depth will be key.