USA forward Tobin Heath was available on a free transfer having left Manchester United earlier this summer; Arsenal get their Women's Super League campaign under way against champions Chelsea at the Emirates Stadium on Sunday, live on Sky Sports
Monday 27 September 2021 16:18, UK
Arsenal Women have signed two-time World Cup winner Tobin Heath on a free transfer.
The USA forward, who is an Arsenal fan, left Manchester United earlier this summer and was a free agent.
Heath spent one season at United, scoring four goals as they finished one point below the Gunners in the Women's Super League.
"Tobin's record speaks for itself," said Arsenal coach Jonas Eidevall. "She's an incredibly talented player who will bring so much experience to our squad.
"This is an exciting time for the club, and I'm delighted we could secure Tobin's signing as we prepare to kick off the new season at Emirates Stadium on Sunday."
The 33-year-old was an integral part to the USA's World Cup success both in 2015 and 2019, and has scored 31 goals and provided 41 assists across 177 senior national appearances.
The arrival of Heath is another formidable boost to Eidevall's side's chances of winning the club's first league title since 2019 following the arrivals of Nikita Parris from Lyon, Mana Iwabuchi, Frida Maanum and Simone Boye Sorensen.
Arsenal get their Women's Super League campaign underway against champions Chelsea at the Emirates Stadium on Sunday, live on Sky Sports.
Former Man Utd manager Casey Stoney on Sky Sports: "It's a big signing, isn't it? You look at what they've done in the window and it's been very shrewd.
"She adds a lot. She's an unbelievable competitor. She brings a winning mentality into that dressing room and where Arsenal have fallen short in those vital moments in those big games, I think she will be a superstar for them."
Sky Sports' Karen Carney: "I'd always be recruiting an American in my dressing room if I had the option because they give a winning mentality. Last year, I criticised Arsenal a little bit in terms of being a little bit too nice, but she'll be nasty. Not in a horrible way, but in a winning mentality kind of way.
"The Americans have just got something about them - the standards, they're driven and they've got the trophies and medals to back it up. She'll go into Arsenal and they will love and adore her. She's an absolute player."
The Barclays FA Women's Super League has a new home this season on Sky Sports with up to 35 games shown exclusively live. The deal covers the next three seasons and has seen the WSL added to Sky Sports' flagship offerings.
This Friday, September 3 will see the Barclays FA Women's Super League air on Sky Sports for the first time with coverage starting from 7pm for a 7.45pm kick-off between Manchester United and Reading F.C on Sky Sports Main Event (channel 401) and Sky Sports Premier League (channel 402).
The current Sky Sports Barclays FA WSL presenter line-up is led by presenter Caroline Barker and includes expert pundit Karen Carney and reporter Lynsey Hooper with commentators Jacqui Oatley and Seb Hutchinson. Jessica Creighton will also be the host of the brand new Inside the WSL show due to premier on September 9.
From world-class stars like Lucy Bronze and Vivianne Miedema, to the endless rivalry of the 'big three' - Arsenal, Chelsea and Manchester City - there are plenty of reasons to be excited for the 2021-22 season on Sky Sports.
