Even after a fantastic summer with England, which put her name in everyone’s mind, Arsenal made an interesting move.
After scoring the second goal against Sweden to keep them in the game, and also in the dying second of the semi-final against Italy, becoming the Euros super sub, winning the young player of the tournament, and winning the Euros.
Arsenal is still sending her back on loan under the guidance of Brighton manager Dario Vidosic.
She is part of the Arsenal academy and joined the club at six. She was part of the squad that went to Germany for their preseason; she will not participate next season with her parent club.
She will rejoin Brighton on loan this season, like last year.
The club says it's so she can develop more, and it's likely because they don't need her at this moment with so many forward players. They just signed Olivia Smith, so she would not get any minutes, something she needs if she wants to play for England again.
Last season, on loan at Brighton, she scored five goals in 22 appearances, earning her a nomination for the WSL Rising Star award.
Though she has developed and grown over the summer in Switzerland, playing in those big games and having more pressure on her to score, she scored two goals in four appearances.
She has debuted for Arsenal in the WSL six times and scored one goal; her debut came against Leicester in the league in November 2022, when she was around 16.
Director of Women’s Football Clare Wheatley said: “We’re so proud of Michelle’s achievements this summer and throughout her journey at Arsenal, from her first steps in our academy to our first-team squad. After discussing this with Michelle and her family closely, we have all agreed that this move will provide Michelle with a further opportunity to develop and grow as she progresses as a young player and person. We wish Michelle every success at Brighton and look forward to welcoming her back to Arsenal at the end of her loan.”
I understand why Arsenal has done this. However, she is now a big name due to the Euros, and Clubs in the WSL might want to sign her. They would be able to give her minutes that Arsenal cannot, and they could miss out on a homegrown player if they keep loaning her out.
While they have signed big players like Olivia Smith and Taylor Hinds, they are expected to win more after winning the Champions League.
They will compete at the highest level in four competitions and need squad depth in case of injuries, so she could be taken back if significant injuries occur. However, this is unlikely, and she wouldn't get many minutes if these players aren't injured.
So while they want depth, they also want her to get as much experience as possible, which she probably wouldn't get at Arsenal, as she's at the bottom of the pecking order for her position.
Agyemang’s performance in the UEFA Women’s Euro 2025 was extraordinary. Called up as an impact sub for England, she scored dramatic equalisers in both the quarter-final and semi-final and was ultimately named Young Player of the Tournament. Her performances were mature, clinical, and full of promise—signals that she is ready for the highest level.
Rather than using this moment as a launchpad for her Arsenal career, the club has sent her back out on loan—potentially squandering a golden opportunity to integrate a homegrown star into the senior squad at the peak of her visibility and confidence. With fans calling for more academy products to be featured prominently, Agyemang’s departure feels like a step backwards in showcasing the club’s development pathway.
From a marketing and fan engagement perspective, she could have become a symbol of Arsenal’s commitment to nurturing young English talent.
While regular game time at Brighton is valuable, so is building chemistry within Arsenal’s system. At some point, Agyemang needs to move beyond being “the promising loanee” and become a permanent fixture in the first-team environment. Delaying this integration risks making her feel more like a fringe player than a core part of Arsenal’s future.
By continually loaning her out, Arsenal may inadvertently signal to Agyemang that her role at the club is not yet fully secure—despite her strong performances at youth, club, and now international levels. Long-term development includes understanding your parent club's tactical expectations, culture, and rhythm. That isn’t easy to achieve when spending key developmental years adapting to different systems at other teams.
This lack of continuity could hinder her growth and, over time, affect her loyalty or morale.
Also, you must be surrounded by the best to be the best, and she will want minutes to play for England.
Add comment
Comments