How Georgia Stanway improves Arsenal
What impact could the midfielder have on her return to the WSL?
After a disappointing 2025-26 season with just one piece of silverware, Arsenal have brought in some big names ahead of next season. England international Georgia Stanway became the first summer signing for the Gunners, joining from Bayern Munich on a free transfer.
The Women’s Super League is familiar territory for Stanway. She moved from childhood club Blackburn Rovers to Manchester City aged 16, becoming a highly valued squad player over the course of a seven-season stint before her move to Germany in 2022.
Stanway won a WSL league title, three FA Cups and three League Cups during her time at City, during which she was also voted PFA Young Player of the Year in the 2018-19 season.
The 27-year-old now returns to England at the peak of her powers and will help command Arsenal’s midfield under Renée Slegers after four years in Germany’s Frauen-Bundesliga, during which Stanway won four domestic titles and two DFB-Pokal Frauen trophies. She scored seven goals and assisted nine more last season, and was also instrumental in Bayern Munich’s first domestic double in 2024-25.
Stanway’s game has evolved during her time away from the Women’s Super League, moving away from her utility role at Manchester City to become a world-class central midfielder.
Development and Role at Bayern Munich
Stanway was something of a Swiss army knife at City, featuring at almost every outfield position. Known for her long-range shooting ability, she won Goal of the Season in her first year as a professional and scored several other absolute belters during her time in England. Her attacking qualities, especially in and around the box, built her reputation as a potential star.
At City, Stanway spent most of her time as an understudy to Keira Walsh and Caroline Weir, forcing her to adapt to different responsibilities in the midfield in and out of possession. The move to Germany helped her escape their shadows and focus on building her own game.
