Arsenal are reportedly on the verge of signing Spanish international goalkeeper Misa Rodriguez, following her departure from Real Madrid. The Gunners’ goalkeeping unit is already well-stacked with the likes of Daphne van Domselaar and Anneke Borbe, but the club seems set to strengthen the department further by adding the highly regarded 26-year-old.
Misa Rodriguez is expected to join Arsenal after leaving Real Madrid, where she spent six productive seasons. Despite many top free agents already being snapped up this summer, Misa remains one of the most sought-after names on the market since her exit from the Spanish giants.
During her time in Madrid, Misa became the undisputed No.1 for Las Blancas, amassing a record-breaking 215 appearances across all competitions. Her performances were instrumental in helping Real Madrid, founded only in 2020, establish themselves as one of the leading sides in Spain and secure regular UEFA Women’s Champions League qualification, even though their wait for a major trophy continues.
Her departure from Real Madrid was officially confirmed on June 10, and while speculation persisted about her next move, all indications now suggest she will be heading to North London. Spanish outlet COPE was the first to report Arsenal’s interest on Thursday.
The move would add further intrigue to Arsenal’s goalkeeping roster, which already features significant talent. Van Domselaar, the Netherlands’ No.1, has been Arsenal’s first-choice keeper since joining from Aston Villa in 2024. Meanwhile, Borbe impressed during her first season at the club after arriving from Wolfsburg, stepping up admirably when Van Domselaar was sidelined with injury.
Arsenal’s need for additional depth between the sticks became evident last season. The club brought in Barbora Votikova on loan in January after Manuela Zinsberger suffered an ACL injury in October, leaving the side short of options. The situation worsened around Christmas when Van Domselaar also faced a spell on the sidelines. Zinsberger’s contract expired at the end of the season, as did academy product Naomi Williams’, while Votikova returned to her parent club Slavia Prague.
Should Misa join Arsenal, the club will boast three goalkeepers—Van Domselaar, Borbe, and Misa—each capable of being first-choice. With both experienced internationals expected to feature at the 2025 World Cup, competition for playing time will be fierce. Van Domselaar is expected to travel to Brazil as the Netherlands’ No.1, while Misa will aim to secure her place in Spain’s squad and challenge Barcelona’s Cata Coll for the starting role.
Notably, Misa was dropped from the Spain national team by head coach Sonia Bermudez at the start of last season when she struggled for minutes at Real Madrid. She will be determined to avoid a repeat scenario, knowing it could impact her World Cup chances.
The reports linking Misa to Arsenal coincided with the club confirming another goalkeeping addition—Denmark youth international Isabella Damm. The 18-year-old joined from Brondby, where she came through the youth ranks and made her senior debut in October 2025, aged just 17. Damm featured regularly in the matchday squad throughout the campaign, helping Brondby finish second in the Danish A-Liga and qualify for the Champions League qualifiers.
Having previously trained with Arsenal during a trial spell last season, Damm’s move was officially announced on Friday morning, only hours after reports of Misa’s potential arrival surfaced. Speaking upon signing, the Denmark Under-19 international expressed her excitement: “I’m so proud to be joining Arsenal and I can’t wait to get started. Arsenal is a great club, and I’m eager to grow as a player and person here while helping the team achieve success. I’ve trained here before and know it’s the right environment for me to develop.”
Clare Wheatley, Arsenal’s Director of Women’s Football, said the club had “been monitoring Isabella for some time” and believes she is “one of the best young goalkeepers in her age group in Europe.” Head coach Renee Slegers echoed that sentiment, describing Damm as an “exciting shot-stopper with excellent technical ability, composure, and bravery,” adding that she “has a high ceiling for growth and development.”
This summer has already been productive for Arsenal in the transfer market. The Gunners have reinforced their midfield with Georgia Stanway and Geraldine Reuteler, added attacking depth by signing Selina Cerci and Lisa Baum, and brought in world-class full-back Ona Batlle.
Damm’s arrival marks Arsenal’s sixth signing of the window, and if Misa’s transfer is confirmed, that number will rise to seven. However, this could also prompt another goalkeeping departure, as it would be difficult to accommodate three players all vying for the No.1 spot. Given last season’s injury concerns, however, Misa’s arrival might be intended as additional cover rather than direct competition.
Van Domselaar recently underwent minor surgery in late May, which ruled her out of the Netherlands’ June training camp. Arsenal have not provided further details, describing it only as a planned procedure.
