Ian Wright tells Arsenal what they need to address after Jenna Nighswonger’s loan exit | OneFootball

Ian Wright has addressed Jenna Nighswonger’s loan move to Aston Villa. Credit: Crossways Podcast

Ian Wright believes Arsenal need to give players more confidence that they will get a chance at the club, after Jenna Nighswonger left the Gunners on loan.

The USA international joined Aston Villa on loan after struggling for minutes since joining Arsenal last January.

Wright, over the past 12 months, has repeatedly stated his belief that Nighswonger should get more of a chance at the Emirates Stadium.

He is hopeful Nighswonger will get her chance at Villa, after making just six appearances in the last 12 months.

Ian Wright addresses Arsenal after Jenna Nighswonger’s exit

Speaking on the latest Crossways Podcast, Ian Wright told Steph Houghton that the club’s treatment of Jenna Nighswonger could impact whether players decide to join Arsenal.

He said: “It’s another situation where players thinking of coming to Arsenal will look at the way some players have been treated, especially at that kind of age.

“It’s something Arsenal have to address sooner rather than later, so people will say, ‘Yeah, I want to go to Arsenal because I’m going to get a chance,’ rather than it end up that way with Jenna.”

Arsenal fans will be keen to see how 19-year-old new signing Smilla Holmberg fares at the Gunners.

Holmberg made her debut in a short cameo off the bench during their goalless draw with Manchester United.

Wright hopes Nighswonger can get career back on track

Arsenal legend Wright is hopeful Nighswonger can have a resurgence during her loan at Aston Villa.

Nighswonger, 25, is a USA international who enjoyed success at her previous club, Gotham FC, winning the NWSL Championship in 2023.

Wright hopes Nighswonger can return to her previous levels during the second-half of the WSL season at Aston Villa.

He said: “I remember when they (Arsenal) signed her she was doing well at the club where she was, and she came over and nothing, hardly anything.

“It’s almost as if they’ve got her across, they got her in the squad and then they thought ‘maybe not’, which is not good for her.

“For it all to fall away like that, people underestimate how much of a toll that can have on you.

“So for her to go to a place like Villa, play regularly, I hope she can get herself back to where she was because obviously Emma Hayes is watching her to see what’s going on. So hopefully she can finally get the minutes that she needs.”