At this critical stage in the season, all is still to play for in the Women’s Super League. Chelsea lead Arsenal by just a single point and Emma Hayes’ side still have to face both Tottenham Hotspur and Manchester United. That being said, all isn’t rosy in the Arsenal camp. After failing to remain fit and play consistently in the famous red and white shirt, Tobin Heath leaves Arsenal by mutual agreement.
Tobin Heath Leaves Arsenal Women After Contract Terminated
Tobin Heath has been released early from her contract by mutual agreement.
Wishing you all the best for the future, @TobinHeath ❤️
— Arsenal Women (@ArsenalWFC) April 28, 2022
What Does the USWNT Star’s Departure Mean for the Gunners?
As previously mentioned, Jonas Eidevall and co are embroiled in a tense title battle. It was Arsenal who went flying out of the blocks at the start of the season. However, the Blues are now the team to beat. The Swede has so many attacking options at his disposal that even with Tobin Heath out of the picture, he is spoilt for choice. Beth Mead, Vivianne Miedema, Stina Blackstenius and Mana Iwabuchi are just some of the elite players in the final third for Arsenal.
Whilst Arsenal will continue to be a huge force in the WSL post-Heath, it will be interesting to see where the USWNT forward will go next. Tobin Heath impressed in both a Manchester United shirt and an Arsenal shirt but failed to reach double digits for league appearances for either. The Portland Thorns of the NWSL and Heath are synonymous with each other, but it remains to be seen where her future lies. There is talk that she is still working through an injury and wouldn’t have been available for the final games of the season anyway.
Heath’s Swift Departure
As has been alluded to, a lack of fitness and game-time are paramount factors in the termination of the contract for Tobin Heath. The 33-year-old from Morristown, New Jersey has ran out just nine times for Arsenal since signing back in September 2021.
Her only WSL goal for the club was a crucial one in fairness, an equaliser at the death v Manchester City in late January. Talking of the blue half of Manchester, she made her Arsenal debut in a 5-0 win over Gareth Taylor’s team earlier in the season.
Tobin Heath, as per Sky Sports, sustained a hamstring injury in training recently and was highly doubtful to return before the end of the season anyway. Her family are based in the US and so it seems that doing rehab over there makes more sense.
Tobin Heath is one of the greats when it comes to this era of USWNT players but sadly for Arsenal fans, she was only able to display glimpses of that for them. She is nearing the end of her career and so the hope is that she can recover from this injury and get back on the field, most likely in the NWSL.
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