An official club statement has seen Aston Villa Women confirm Anna Patten as their latest signing from Arsenal on loan for the remainder of the 2021/22 season. Patten has spent her professional career with the Gunners but is just 22 and looking forward to a new challenge in the Midlands.
Aston Villa Women Confirm Anna Patten Loan Deal
Key Signing
Patten started at Arsenal and then went on to play and study in the United States before she returned to North London. Whilst in the States, Patten played for Florida State Seminoles and the South Carolina Gamecocks.
Villa manager Carla Ward said of the signing; “Anna is a key signing for us and will bring both quality and experience to the team.
“She is a young English player with huge potential and we believe this is a great chance for her to continue her development.”
Arsenal Return Has Proved Difficult
Since returning to Arsenal, Patten has found it tough to get many opportunities for game time, with first-choice right-back Noelle Maritz a firm fixture along with other players offering options in the backline. Leah Williamson, Jen Beattie, Viki Schnaderbeck, Simone Boys and Steph Catley are all currently ahead of Patten in the pecking order, meaning a move to Villa is the right direction for the player and club at this time so that she can continue her development.
Surprise
Out of the defenders at the club, Williamson is currently out injured and Lisa Evan is also away on loan so despite the cover across the backline it does leave Arsenal short of a natural right-back, which might make the move a surprise for some. Australian Steph Catley will be away at the Asia Cup at the end of January which suddenly depletes the options further and may mean that with Patten now at Villa, Arsenal may be forced into looking at bringing in another defender during the transfer window.
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