Arsenal defender Rafaelle Souza believes that the club are ready to renew their battle for the Barclays Women’s Super League title.
The Gunners finished the 2021/2022 campaign a point behind eventual champions Chelsea. Jonas Eidevall’s side took the title race into the final game last season before their London rivals retained their crown.
Arsenal will be aiming for consistency this season with the club having been quiet in the transfer window and defender Rafaelle believes that the North Londoners have what it takes to win the title this year.
“I really believe in our team,” Rafaelle said when speaking in an Arsenal media session. “We were really close last season and now we have a chance to go one better.
“I know that Chelsea have signed a lot of players but so did we at the beginning of the year, I was one of them and I think we are ready. We have Lina (Hurtig) now too, she’s a really good player. I think we have depth in the squad, we have a good starting XI and lots of players who can come in and bring a lot of energy.
“We have a good chance and we want to start in the right way if we are going to win the title.”
Rafaelle will arguably play more football this season than she has previously in her career but the player believes that she is ready for that challenge.
She said “I feel really great, I feel ready now. When I got here, I came following a period in China and a long holiday. I think that I wasn’t ready at the beginning of the year but now I feel like I am ready and we are ready as a squad. Everyone has prepared really well, there are going to be a lot of games, but I think we have got a good squad. We are ready for the big season that is ahead of us.”
Arsenal kick-off the new season with a fixture against Brighton & Hove Albion at the LV Bet Stadium in Boreham Wood tomorrow night.