After months of questions, Renee Slegers has confirmed in her press conference that Jenna Nighswonger will be heading out on loan to Aston Villa until then end of the season.
The full-back will not be involved in the Gunners’ return to action against Manchester United on Saturday. “Jenna will not be in the squad tomorrow, and she's close to a loan,” Slegers confirmed in her pre-match press conference.
This loan will not be a permanent move. The door is open for her to come back with complete confidence again for Arsenal.
This is after she was barely used in the first half of the season, which was criticised by fans and pundits alike.
Ian Wright asked the club for clarity on why the US international was not featuring in matchday squads despite a good preseason and being a capable player. He also questions the club's management of her career and the denial of a loan move if she weren’t injured. Even went as far as to ask what the club were doing with her character. He emphasised that at 24 years old, Nighswonger is a ready-to-go international player and urged Arsenal to address the situation.
Speaking on the Crossways podcast, Wright said: “I need some clarity on what’s going on with Arsenal and Jenna. [She had] a good preseason, I’m hearing from people. [She’s] more than capable of playing at this level — she’s not even in the matchday squads.
“If she’s not injured, why did they deny her a loan move? Why would they do that? So, Arsenal, answer that. What are you doing with this girl and her career?
“She’s 24, so we’re not talking about somebody who’s got the time to come over here with that upheaval. She’s not 19, where you think, OK, let’s give her a couple of seasons. Jenna’s 24, ready to go and an international. So, Arsenal, sort that out.”
This prompted Renee Slegers, Arsenal's head coach, to comment, mentioning the challenges of managing a large squad.
She said leaving Nighswongers out is something “I have to carry, and that’s a burden for me.
Slegers added: “It’s hard, it hurts, but that’s part of it. We need the squad, and it was a decision for us to have the squad because we think we need the depth.”
She was Slegers’ first signing in January 2025, but has rarely featured in Arsenal and lost her spot in the USA side. As a result, she has not represented her country since February 2025.
The 25-year-old has played just 16 minutes this season, frequently being omitted from the team's matchday squad entirely.
Overall, Nighswonger has made just five appearances for Arsenal since she joined, including one start.
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