Four young Gunners join England’s under‑20 World Cup prep
Before we got swept up in the Georgia Stanway news, there was another story I wanted to make sure we didn’t skip over, because it's really important in the context of where Arsenal Women are heading in the next few years.
Four of our young Gunners have been called into the England under‑20 squad for their prep camp in Atlanta. Cecily Wellesley‑Smith, Laila Harbert, Jessie Gale and Vivienne Lia are all part of the Young Lionesses group heading out there as they build towards September’s FIFA under‑20 Women’s World Cup.
That’s a big deal - these camps aren’t just a nice “experience trip.” They’re where coaches test combinations, look at how players handle being away in a tournament environment and start to firm up who they trust when it really matters. For four Arsenal players to be in that mix together tells you there’s a serious pipeline of talent coming through the club, and that England see something in this group that’s worth investing in.
From an Arsenal point of view, it’s another reminder that the story here isn’t just about big headline signings. Yes, we’re talking about Georgia Stanway, yes, there’ll be more arrivals, but alongside that you’ve got a younger core group of players who are getting used to playing international football, living in camp, dealing with travel and handling the pressure of building towards a World Cup. Those experiences feed straight back into what they can offer us in the WSL and in Europe.
This kind of news is easy to miss if you’re only looking at transfers and starting elevens. You see a name on a squad list, maybe skim past it, but for the players themselves this is massive. It’s time away from home, a step closer to wearing an England shirt at a World Cup, and it’s a chance to show they belong at that level. And when they return, they’re not just “promising youngsters” anymore, they’re players who’ve tested themselves against the best in their age group and learned how to cope.
So while we’re rightly excited about what the senior squad is building towards this season, just remember that there’s a generation behind them already working hard in the background, getting minutes, going away with England and gaining experiences that will make them better Arsenal players in the long term. Cecily, Leila, Jessie and Vivian we wish you all the very best as you head out to Atlanta!
If you’re keeping an eye on youth football as well as the first team, I’d love to know how you see this group developing. Come and find me over on Instagram or email me and tell me which of our young Gunners you’re most excited about.
