> ## Content Index > Fetch the complete content index at: https://www.arsenalwomentrailblazers.com/llms.txt > Use this file to discover other available public pages before exploring further. # Laila Harbert Leaving Arsenal Isn’t The End Of Her Story - URL: https://www.arsenalwomentrailblazers.com/laila-harbert-leaving-arsenal-isnt-the-end-of-her-story/ - Published: 2026-07-31T20:31:25.000Z - Updated: 2026-07-31T20:31:25.000Z - Author: Roberto Revilla - Tags: Arsenal Women Youth Academy, Arsenal Women News, Latest, Transfer News Some transfers hit you a little harder than others. This week Arsenal Women confirmed that Laila Harbert has completed a permanent move to National Women’s Soccer League side San Diego Wave, where she’ll reunite with former Arsenal manager Jonas Eidevall. Now, first and foremost, I just want to wish Laila every success because she’s been part of the Arsenal family since she was only nine years old. She’s come all the way through the academy, signed her first professional contract last year, represented England throughout the youth age groups and captained the Young Lionesses’ Under-17 side. She’s clearly somebody Arsenal thought very highly of. Over the last few seasons she’s gained valuable senior experience through loan spells with Watford, Southampton, Portland Thorns and Everton before making this permanent move to the United States. If I sound a little bit sad writing this, it’s because I really am. I actually mentioned Laila in passing a couple of episodes ago because I was getting ready to do a full profile on her. Then, before I had the chance, she was gone. One detail of the transfer that immediately caught my attention was the reported first refusal clause Arsenal have retained as part of the deal. If those reports are correct, it suggests to me that Arsenal still believe in Laila’s long-term potential. It simply means that, at this stage of her career, both player and club have probably reached the same conclusion: the best place for her development is somewhere she’ll have a genuine opportunity to play regular first-team football. I imagine that was a very important part of the discussions with San Diego Wave. That brings me to some of the frustration I’ve seen from supporters over the last few days because I’ve noticed quite a few comments asking why Arsenal have allowed another talented academy player to leave. I completely understand that reaction. Nobody likes seeing one of their own move on, particularly somebody who’s been at the club since childhood. But I also think it’s important to look at the reality of the situation rather than simply the emotion. Look at Arsenal’s current midfield: Georgia Stanway, Mariona Caldentey, Kim Little, Kyra Cooney-Cross, Frida Maanum and Geraldine Reuteler. That’s before you even consider players who can move inside from wider positions like Selina Cerci and Olivia Smith. As much as we all rate Laila Harbert’s potential, the simple truth is that she wasn’t going to play ahead of those footballers this season. And that’s where I think there’s a much bigger conversation to be had about youth development in the women’s game. One of the biggest differences between the men’s and women’s game is simply the number of matches available. Yes, the Women’s Super League has expanded from twelve teams to fourteen this season, which means the league campaign grows from 22 to 26 matches, but it’s still a significantly shorter season than the men’s game. That means every league fixture carries enormous importance. Just think back to Arsenal last season. We drew away to Brighton, away to Tottenham and home and away against Manchester United. Those four draws represented eight dropped points across a league season that ultimately cost Arsenal the title. When margins are that fine, managers are naturally going to select the strongest, most experienced starting eleven available to them almost every single week. That inevitably makes it much harder for young players to break through. It’s not because they aren’t talented; it’s because the opportunities simply aren’t there. That’s why, when I look at this transfer, I actually think Arsenal have done the responsible thing. Rather than keeping Laila at the club where first-team minutes would have been extremely difficult to come by, they’ve allowed her to take the next step in her career while reportedly protecting their own future interest through that first refusal clause. That feels like sensible succession planning rather than giving up on a player. And make no mistake, Laila is a footballer who excites me enormously. Alongside players like Jessie Gale, Katie Reid and Michelle Agyemang, she’s part of a generation that gives you real optimism about Arsenal Women’s future. Eventually today’s senior players will move on, whether that’s in two, three or five years’ time, and these are exactly the sort of players you hope will be ready to take their places. That’s another reason why the reported clause gives me comfort, because if Laila develops into the player Arsenal believe she can become, I would absolutely welcome her back. In my eyes, and I suspect in the eyes of many supporters, she’s still, and always will be, a Gunner. ![Laila Harbert signs for San Diego Wave](https://storage.ghost.io/c/d2/b6/d2b6c83b-fa2f-458d-b44c-82aebbd18640/content/images/2026/07/LailaWeb26.jpg) Laila Harbert signs for San Diego Wave As for San Diego Wave, I actually think it’s a really good move. Jonas Eidevall has always liked building his teams around technically gifted midfielders, and if Laila gets the regular minutes we’re all hoping she will, this could be exactly the environment she needs. I’ve already found myself watching her unveiling videos, her first interviews and seeing how she’s settling into life in California. She’s still incredibly young, beginning a completely new chapter in a different country and signing what is intended to be much more than a short-term loan. It’s a huge opportunity. So although I’m disappointed to see her leave Arsenal, I’m also so excited to watch what comes next. When the NWSL season gets underway, I’ll certainly be keeping one eye on San Diego Wave. And who knows? Perhaps one day we’ll see Laila Harbert walking back through the doors at Sobha Realty Training Centre as a more experienced, more complete midfielder, ready to wear the Arsenal shirt once again. I certainly hope so.