Arsenal's Rafaelle Souza will depart in the summer as she reflects on the journey and her future plans

Arsenal's Rafaelle Souza will leave the club this summer, citing «needing something different» in her life as the reason. Her final game for the club will be on Saturday, when Arsenal finish their Women's Super League campaign at home to Aston Villa where a point can mathematically secure a top-three finish for Arsenal and qualification for the Women's Champions League again next season. Ad The 31-year-old Brazil captain joined the WSL side in January 2022, almost 18 months ago.

Premier LeagueKeown questions Arsenal defending as Haaland could 'strut around'27/04/2023 AT 07:57 Despite her short time at the club, she's been influential to Arsenal, helping them win the League Cup and reach the Champions League semi-finals, and creating a secure and solid partnership at the back with Leah Williamson. «When I first arrived here at Arsenal, I couldn’t believe how everyone welcomed me in,» Rafaelle said in a final note to supporters. «I received so much love from all of our supporters, my teammates and the staff, and I was instantly made to feel like I was part of the Arsenal family.

That’s something that has only grown since then and leaving today, my lasting impression is that Arsenal is a club to love. I’ve felt nothing but love from every single person across this club and I can’t tell you how much it means as a player to be part of an environment like this. This place is something special and any player who was the honour of wearing the Arsenal badge is very, very lucky to do so.

It’s been a lovely 18 months here with Arsenal, but I feel like I’m at that point in my career where I’m 31 years old and I need to start thinking about my next career. I need to think about my future. Arsenal have given me everything, but for