Aston Villa are ‘hopeful’ they can complete a transfer deal for Arsenal defender Anna Patten, according to a tweet from journalist Emma Sanders.
Last season, on loan at Villa, Patten made 19 appearances in the WSL. She she didn’t score any goals, she managed to notch up a pair of assists. Her efforts appear to have impressed the Villans’ hierarchy, as they are now believed to be keen in making her loan deal permanent one.
In Sanders’ tweet, she wrote: “For those asking for an update on Anna Patten, I believe Aston Villa are very hopeful of making that move permanent now. Close to wrapping it up but nothing signed yet.”
Why are Arsenal letting go of Anna Patten?
Arsenal, for all their assets and talents, could only muster a third-placed finish in the WSL last season. As such, head coach Jonas Eidevall will look to bolster their ranks and make additions to the squad for the 2023/24 season.
Sometimes, in order to facilitate new signings, players may have to leave. Unfortunately, as the Gunners look to bring stars such as Alessia Russo to the club, Patten appears to be a casualty of the re-shuffle.
This may not be such a bad thing for all parties, however. Arsenal have been able to offload a talent that they were not using, while Patten has been allowed to join a club who are willing to give her a place in their first team.
Anna Patten career summary
Patten joined Arsenal’s youth ranks as a youngster, making seven appearances for the Gunners’ senior team, before moving to the USA to undergo her college career in 2017.
She played for Florida State Seminoles from 2017 to 2018, scoring four goals in 41 games. Following this, she turned out for South Carolina Gamecocks in 2019 and 2020, for whom she scored four goals in 32 games.
In 2021, she returned to her parent club. However, her game time in North London was limited – she made just eleven appearances for Arsenal, scoring a single goal.
She has found a new lease of life at Aston Villa – she was a regular in their starting lineup during the 2022/23 WSL season.