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Goalkeeper Manuela Zinsberger has inked a new deal with Arsenal Women, the team has announced.
After joining the Gunners in 2019, the 28-year-old left Bayern Munich and has been a key member of Jonas Eidevall’s team ever since, keeping 49 clean sheets in 113 games.
Zinsberger, who had won two Bundesliga titles with Bayern, took home her first major award with Arsenal in the 2022–2023 campaign, which began with their 3–1 triumph over Chelsea in the League Cup final.
With a division-high 13 clean sheets—three more than Mary Earps—the Austrian international also won the 2021–22 Women’s Super League Golden Glove as Arsenal ended one point behind champion Chelsea.
After assuring the team of her future, Zinsberger said, “I’m so happy to have signed a new contract with this club,” on the Arsenal website.
“I’m extremely driven to keep improving both as a goalie and as a person, and given the progress made both on and off the field since my arrival, I feel this is the ideal environment for me to do so.
“It’s hard for me to put into words how I feel when I hear the fans supporting us as I come onto the pitch. Our fans’ fervor uplifts us, and when we band together, we can accomplish great things.”
“Manu is one of the best goalkeepers in the world and has been a consistently high performer in this team throughout my time here,” head coach Jonas Eidevall continued.
“I believe she has the same goals as us, and she deserves her new deal. We aim to contend for every championship we can, and Manu will be crucial to our success in doing so.”
Clare Wheatley, Director of Women’s Football, concluded by saying: “We’re thrilled to have reached an agreement with Manu on a new contract to carry on her adventure here at Arsenal.
Since joining our team in 2019, Manu has played a vital role, consistently putting up outstanding performances and exuding genuine passion on the field. Manu, congratulations!”
Zinsberger, whose last contract extension was just granted in March 2023, has extended her stay at Emirates for the last 12 months, joining a group of teammates that also includes Jen Beattie, Caitlin Foord, Jen McCabe, Lia Walti, Frida Maanum, Kim Little, and Caitlin McCabe.
In addition, head coach Eidevall signed a new contract with Emirates at the beginning of October. As of now, the Gunners are three points behind leaders Chelsea in the WSL standings after winning 22 of their first 10 games in 2023–24.
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In the current Premier League season, Zinsberger has maintained two clean sheets. He also participated for the entire 90 minutes in the Gunners’ 5-1 FA Cup victory against Watford on Sunday, setting up a fifth-round matchup with Manchester City.
Now that they’re back in the WSL, Eidevall’s team will play their first top-tier match of 2024 on Saturday at Meadow Park against Everton.
