The 2016 season was Arsenal Ladies Football Club's 29th season since forming in 1987. The club also participated in the sixth edition of the FA Women's Super League. Additionally, Arsenal played in the Women's FA Cup, winning the final against the previous season's champions Chelsea in May.
This was the last full Women's Super League season to be played over the summer. The following year, the league transitioned to run in line with the men's football calendar, making the league a winter-based season (running from September to May). As this season bridged the gap between the men's 2015–16 and 2016–17 seasons, the team wore two different sets of kits during each half of the season.
Review
Pre-season Following a decline in form during the previous season attributed to limited squad depth, Arsenal signed several new players. In late 2015, they signed Dutch midfielder Daniëlle van de Donk from Kopparbergs/Göteborg FC and Irish winger Katie McCabe from Shelbourne. In early 2016, they signed England midfielder Fara Williams and Nigerian striker Asisat Oshoala from Liverpool. Josephine Henning joined from Lyon, and Jodie Taylor arrived from Portland Thorns.
Meanwhile, Chioma Ubogagu departed for the NWSL to play for Houston Dash. Siobhan Chamberlain moved to Liverpool, whilst Jade Bailey joined Chelsea. Rachel Yankey and Carla Humphrey went out on loan to Notts County and Doncaster Rovers Belles respectively.
In Sevilla, Arsenal played a pre-season friendly with Bayern Munich. Jordan Nobbs gave Arsenal the lead in the first half, but Sara Däbritz equalised shortly after half-time. Substitute Natalia subsequently scored twice to secure a 3–1 victory.
March Arsenal's competitive season began with an away trip to Birmingham City in the FA Cup fifth round. Former Arsenal player Freda Ayisi gave Birmingham the lead after 26minutes. Arsenal scored an equaliser with just over 10minutes remaining through Danielle Carter. Arsenal won the subsequent penalty shoot-out 5–3 to advance to the next round, with Charlie Wellings missing her spot-kick for Birmingham.
Arsenal's WSL campaign began with a home tie against recently promoted Reading. Dominique Janssen gave the home side an early lead, and early in the second half, Asisat Oshoala scored her first Arsenal goal on her debut after rounding Grace Moloney. Reading pulled a goal back through Jade Boho-Sayo, but Arsenal secured a 3–1 win with 20minutes remaining when Carter converted Marta Corredera's corner.
Arsenal then travelled to play Manchester City. Defender Jemma Rose was sent off after 13minutes for bringing down Jane Ross as the last defender. Ross gave Manchester City the lead midway through the second half, and Toni Duggan scored a penalty with 10minutes left to play, resulting in a 2–0 defeat for Arsenal.
April In the FA Cup quarter-finals, Arsenal faced Notts County at Meadow Park. Kelly Smith scored for Arsenal after 21minutes, but Sophie Bradley-Auckland equalised shortly afterwards. Notts County took the lead when Aivi Luik scored. Ellen White was then sent off for a second bookable offence with just under 30minutes left to play. Arsenal equalised in the 81st minute through Natalia's header, taking the match to extra time and penalties. Arsenal won the shoot-out 4–3, with goalkeeper Sari van Veenendaal saving penalties from Danielle Buet, Leanne Crichton, and Luik, before Katie McCabe scored the winning kick.
In the semi-finals against Sunderland, Emma Mitchell was sent off in the 33rd minute for two bookable offences. Despite the player disadvantage, Arsenal took the lead before half-time when Van de Donk scored from a rebound after Janssen's shot was saved. Carter added a second goal early in the second half. Sunderland's Abby Holmes was shown a red card after fouling Van de Donk in the penalty area. Fara Williams converted the resulting penalty. Van de Donk scored twice more to complete her hat-trick, Nobbs added another, and Carter scored her second in added time to complete a 7–0 victory and ensure progression to the Final.
Returning to league play, Arsenal faced their upcoming FA Cup Final opponents, Chelsea. Fran Kirby gave Chelsea the lead after capitalising on defensive errors. Arsenal had an equalising effort from Jordan Nobbs disallowed due to an earlier foul. Kirby subsequently scored her second goal from a corner, securing a 2–0 win for Chelsea.
After back-to-back defeats in the league, Arsenal secured an away win against Reading. Goals from Nobbs and Janssen put Arsenal 2–0 up after 60minutes. Reading pulled a goal back late on through Emma Follis, but Arsenal won 2–1.
May Arsenal subsequently drew 0–0 with Birmingham City in the league. Both sides hit the crossbar through Remi Allen and Dominique Janssen, but neither could score.
Arsenal's final game before the summer break was their FA Cup Final against Chelsea at Wembley Stadium. Arsenal won the match 1–0 after Danielle Carter scored in the first half. It was Arsenal's 14th FA Cup title, and their first since the Final was moved to the new Wembley Stadium.
Summer break During the summer break, Arsenal played a friendly against NWSL side Seattle Reign, managed by former Arsenal manager Laura Harvey. This was the first time a WSL side and an NWSL side had faced each other. Leah Williamson was stretchered off with an ankle injury 8minutes into the match, ruling her out of action until October. Beverly Yanez gave Seattle the lead in the first half, but Natalia scored a penalty in the second half to level the match at 1–1.
June Arsenal returned to WSL action with a 5–1 win over Sunderland. Two own goals from Stephanie Bannon gave Arsenal an early lead, followed by two goals from Natalia. Janssen added a fifth in the second half, before Sunderland found a late consolation goal from Beth Mead.
Arsenal drew their following match 0–0 against Birmingham City.
At the end of the month, Chloe Kelly went out on loan to Everton after struggling for game time.
July July saw the start of Arsenal's defence of their WSL Cup, opening with a 3–1 win over Reading. After a goalless first half, goals from Vicky Losada and a penalty from Fara Williams gave Arsenal the lead. Williams added a third before Reading responded through Emma Follis.
Arsenal then hosted Notts County in the league. Daniëlle van de Donk scored after 10minutes, and Jordan Nobbs added a second 10minutes into the second half to complete a 2–0 win.
Arsenal travelled to Wheatsheaf Park to face Chelsea, trailing the league leaders Manchester City by six points. An own goal from Sari van Veenendaal gave Chelsea an early lead. Chelsea were unable to extend their lead, and Vicky Losada equalised before half-time. With six minutes remaining, Daniëlle van de Donk scored to secure a 2–1 win for Arsenal.
Arsenal defeated Sunderland 4–0 away from home. Williams' initial penalty was saved, but Losada scored from the rebound. Nobbs and Carter added goals, and Williams converted a second penalty.
Arsenal lost 2–1 to Liverpool at Meadow Park. Williams scored first for Arsenal following a deflection, but Liverpool equalised through Shanice van de Sanden and won the match with Caroline Weir's free-kick.
August In the WSL Cup quarter-final, Arsenal faced Notts County at The Hive. Casey Stoney gave Arsenal the lead after 9minutes, but Notts County equalised and later took a 2–1 lead through Fern Whelan and Jess Clarke. Kelly Smith scored an equaliser for Arsenal with 25minutes remaining, and Fara Williams scored a 90th-minute penalty to secure a 3–2 win.
Returning to the WSL, Arsenal played Notts County at Meadow Lane. Asisat Oshoala gave Arsenal the lead before half-time. Emma Byrne was sent off for fouling Ellen White, leaving Arsenal with 10 players for the final 30minutes. Despite the disadvantage, Arsenal won 2–0 after Oshoala scored her second goal.
September In the WSL Cup semi-final, Arsenal travelled to the Academy Stadium to face Manchester City. Arsenal were unable to convert several goalscoring opportunities, with Daniëlle van de Donk, Casey Stoney, and Danielle Carter all coming close. Manchester City ultimately won 1–0 after former Arsenal player Jen Beattie scored from a late free-kick by Toni Duggan.
The two sides played each other again seven days later in the league. Arsenal lost 1–0 following a deflected free-kick by Steph Houghton, which was credited to Jane Ross. The result effectively ended Arsenal's title hopes, leaving them 15 points behind Manchester City, though they remained seven points ahead of Chelsea in second place.
October Arsenal defeated Doncaster Rovers Belles 5–0. Danielle Carter and Natalia both scored twice, and Kelly Smith scored the final goal in her last appearance for Arsenal. The match also marked the return of Leah Williamson from injury and Chloe Kelly following her loan spell.
In their last home game of the season, Arsenal played Doncaster Rovers Belles again. Jodie Taylor made her debut for Arsenal following a lengthy injury. She came off the bench and scored twice to secure a 2–0 win.
At the end of October, Vicky Losada, Marta Corredera, and Natalia left the club to return to Spain.
November Arsenal's WSL campaign concluded with a 5–3 away victory against Liverpool. Liverpool took the lead through Satara Murray, but Arsenal responded with two goals from Carter. Jordan Nobbs added a third, before Shanice van de Sanden scored for Liverpool. Chloe Kelly and Asisat Oshoala both scored late on for Arsenal, and Caroline Weir scored a final goal for Liverpool.
Arsenal finished the season in third place, 10points behind champions Manchester City and five points behind the Champions League qualification places.
Squad information & statistics
First team squad Squad statistics correct as of May 2018 Squad No. Name Date of Birth (Age) Since Last Contract Signed From Goalkeepers1 Emma Byrne 2000August 2015 Fortuna Hjørring13 Sari van Veenendaal 2015July 2015 FC Twente23 Hollie Augustus 2015 Arsenal Academy27 Sian Rogers 2015 Birmingham City Defenders2 Alex Scott 2012January 2014 Boston Breakers3 Emma Mitchell 2013August 2015 SGS Essen5 Casey Stoney 2014August 2015 Lincoln12 Vyan Sampson 2014January 2016 Arsenal Academy19 Jemma Rose 2014December 2015 Bristol Academy22 Josephine Henning 2016February 2016 Lyon24 Lotte Wubben-Moy 2015 Arsenal Academy34 Taylor Hinds 2016 Arsenal Academy Midfielders4 Fara Williams 2016January 2016 Liverpool6 Vicky Losada 2015January 2015 Barcelona8 Jordan Nobbs 2010February 2016 Sunderland14 Leah Williamson 2014July 2015 Arsenal Academy16 Carla Humphrey 2014February 2015 Arsenal Academy17 Marta Corredera 2015July 2015 Barcelona20 Dominique Janssen 2015July 2015 SGS Essen21 Daniëlle van de Donk 2015November 2015 Kopparbergs/Göteborg FC28 Charlie Devlin 2016 Arsenal Academy Forwards7 Natalia Pablos 2014December 2014 Bristol Academy9 Danielle Carter 2009January 2016 Arsenal Academy10 Kelly Smith (c) 2012February 2016 Boston Breakers11 Rachel Yankey 2005January 2014 New Jersey Wildcats15 Katie McCabe 2015December 2015 Shelbourne18 Jodie Taylor 2016March 2016 Portland Thorns24 Asisat Oshoala 2016March 2016 Liverpool25 Chloe Kelly 2015February 2016 Arsenal Academy26 Rianna Dean 2015 Arsenal Academy
Appearances and goals