Ona Batlle: Arsenal ‘will be there’ to compete for WSL title | OneFootball

Ahead of her return to England, Spanish full-back Ona Batlle spoke exclusively to Her Football Hub at the Arsenal media day to explain her reasons for leaving Barcelona, who she’s most excited to play with, and why she chose the Women’s Super League.

Arsenal announced the signing in July to replace Katie McCabe, who joined Chelsea after more than a decade in red. The Spaniard can play both sides of defence and will be eager to impress Arsenal fans on her debut.

Batlle was unavailable for Arsenal’s first public pre-season game — a 1-0 win over Paris FC — but reports suggest she could be in line to make her first appearance during Wednesday’s friendly against Charlton Athletic.

Despite being just 27, Batlle has had a glittering career so far. She’s won almost everything there is to win in football, both on the domestic and international stage. From league titles, domestic cups and the Champions League with Barcelona, to the Women’s World Cup and Nations League.

However, one major honour is missing from her collection — the Women’s Super League title. And on her return to England, Batlle has made no secret about her ambition to win the league title.

“It’s one of the things I’m very excited for, trying to win the WSL,” she said. “It’s something I haven’t done and I’m really excited to do it with Arsenal, hopefully. We will be there to compete for it.”

Why did Ona Batlle decide to return to the Women’s Super League?

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At 12 years old, Batlle was playing football for her local side when she was scouted by FC Barcelona. She swiftly joined La Masia and progressed through the youth ranks at the Catalonian-based club.

She received her first senior call-up in 2016 but failed to make her debut before departing the team in 2017. Short spells at Madrid CFF and Levante followed joining Manchester United in 2020.

In the WSL, she established herself as one of the most exciting full-backs, while she developed into an established international.

After three seasons at United, she returned to her roots and the club that ‘formed her’ — Barcelona.

“When I was at Barca, I didn’t even think about leaving again,” she said. “But when I had to make a decision about future and my next years, obviously it was a big step coming back especially because the league has grown so much.

“I enjoyed the time I had at United, but now I think it’s a good time and place to be, to enjoy these next years here and compete every weekend.”

The reason behind Ona Batlle’s Arsenal transfer

The defender believes Arsenal’s style of play matches her own game, while competing in what she considers the world’s most competitive league was another major attraction for her return.

“I think Arsenal play the way I like to play and I was very excited to be back in the WSL. I think it’s the most competitive league and it was a challenge that I was looking for.

“It’s evolved, there’s loads of big players in this league and I think all the teams have stepped up. There’s loads of good clubs that are trying to invest and trying to get good teams to compete well and try to win this league.”

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There’s also a childhood tie to the club that influenced her decision to join the Gunners.

“When I was young, I wasn’t watching women’s football,” she said. “I don’t think there was any way to actually watch the league or the Champions League at that moment. I wish I could have had the facilities that all these kids have now to be able to enjoy the women’s football that we play.”

Instead, it was Arsenal men who caught her attention and became a household name.

“This is a good story because my brother was a big, big fan of Cesc Fàbregas. So we did watch and follow Arsenal, because my brother was a big fan of Fàbregas when he was here.”

Additionally, Arsenal’s ability to consistently attract large attendances was another factor in her decision. During her time at United, she played in front of a near-sold-out Emirates, but she now looks forward to making it her home.

“That’s one of the most exciting moments I’m looking forward to. It’s one of the beauties of this club, how they’re so connected to the fans and how they’ve been in the history of the club, I wanted to be a part of it.”

Where will Ona Batlle play for Arsenal?

One of Batlle’s biggest strengths is her versatility. Throughout her career, she’s played on both sides of defence, offering Arsenal another option across the back line.

With Emily Fox having cemented her name as the first choice right-back, plus McCabe’s recent departure, fans expect the Spaniard to start on the left side of defence, with Taylor Hinds deputising.

Although she’s yet to sit down with head coach Renée Slegers to discuss her role, Batlle insists she’s comfortable on either side.

“I’m happy to play both sides. I always said it’s nice, like, for me, I enjoy both sides. So if I have to play on the left, I’ll play on the left. If I have to play on the right, I’ll play on the right.”

This adds another dimension to Arsenal’s defence who conceded the fewest goals (14) in the WSL last season. So her arrival is less about fixing a weakness and more about adding further quality and versatility to an already impressive backline. While her experience both domestically and internationally adds further depth to Arsenal’s defensive ranks.

Reuniting with familiar faces

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Batlle wasn’t the only Spanish international to arrive at Arsenal this summer, with goalkeeper Misa Rodríguez joining the club from Real Madrid. The pair now have the chance to reunite at club level after representing Spain together, giving Batlle a familiar face as she settles into life in north London.

She will also once again link up with former Barcelona teammate Mariona Caldentey. The defender remembers the connection they built and believes Caldentey’s quality makes life easier for the players around her.

“When I played with her at Barca, I remember we had such a good connection and she’s a really good player. I think she makes it easy for all the players around her.

“She did really good settling down in the club and the league, and she’s had such good success since the beginning and hopefully I’ll have as much success.”

The 27-year-old will also reunite with Alessia Russo, having played alongside the striker during her time at Manchester United. She’s watched Russo continue to develop since their time together and believes she has established herself among the world’s best No.9s.

“I think Alessia’s improved a lot,” she said. “She was already one of the best nines in the world, but now, playing all these big competitions, playing for her country, and being as successful as she’s been, she is definitely one of the best number nines in the world.

“I’m very excited to try to link up again with her and try to make her score goals.”

With familiar faces around her, Batlle is sure to settle quickly as she begins her latest chapter in the WSL.

Looking ahead after Barcelona exit

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Batlle’s departure came during a summer of significant change at Barcelona, with a number of key players moving on, in what has been described as a ‘mass exodus’. Several have opted for ambitious projects and some of Europe’s biggest clubs, highlighting the changing landscape of the women’s game and the growing strength of the teams challenging Barcelona’s dominance.

The 27-year-old insists her decision was personal rather than a reaction to the wider departures from Barcelona.

She said: “Every person has their own reasons. For me, it was a new challenge that I wanted to take, coming back to the WSL and especially to Arsenal who fit how I want to play.”

The goal for the upcoming season is to help Arsenal to their first league title since the 2018/19 WSL season and Batlle believes consistency will be key.

“To be able to compete or to be there to win the league, it’s a constant thing. You have to think about winning the league every week and you have to perform to actually win.”

Arsenal will get their 2026/27 WSL campaign underway on Sunday, 6 September as they travel to Crawley to take on Brighton and Hove Albion.

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