Arsenal acknowledge diversity issue after photo of all-white women's team sparks backlash

A photo of the Arsenal women's team, all white, has sparked backlash on social media. Photo: Getty Images/David Price

Arsenal have admitted they have a diversity problem after being criticized for publishing an all-white photograph of their women's first team.

Annual photograph of the women's team, previously published in this month, sparked a backlash on social media because none of the Women's Super League teams represented black or minority ethnic groups.

Arsenal.

Our lineup for the 2023/24 season. pic.twitter.com/PCUHZdFGEh

— Arsenal Women (@ArsenalWFC) October 13, 2023

“We recognize that the current female first team squad does not reflect the diversity that exists within the club and the communities we represent,” Arsenal said in a statement.

“Increasing the participation of young women and girls from diverse backgrounds is a key priority for us at an academic level, with specific measures being taken to improve opportunities and accessibility.

“Across all of our teams, including our men's and women's academies, we are proud of players from diverse backgrounds who have contributed to our history, success and culture.

“It is a priority for the Club team to continue to promote greater diversity and inclusivity, as well as creating a sense of belonging for everyone associated with the club.»

Michelle Adiemang, England youth international, is currently on loan at Watford Women, otherwise she would have been involved in the team photo.

However, the club's women's team has significantly fewer black players than its men's team. in which Bukayo Saka, Gabriel Jesus and William Saliba are among the BAME stars.

Bukayo Saka (front left) enters number of BAME players in the Arsenal men's team. Photo: AFP/Samir al-Doumi

Lack of diversity has been a recurring issue in women's football in recent years, with England briefly having an all-white team in February 2021 under Hege Riise as interim coach.

A frequent issue in women's football in recent years is a sense of lack of diversity.

In February this year, the Football Association unveiled plans to overhaul the player development system for girls, partly in an attempt to tackle the issue of diversity. His goal is to make the game more accessible to girls of all backgrounds, especially from urban areas.

Women's football has previously been criticized for the fact that most of its centers of excellence are located in rural areas or leafy suburbs, potentially limiting the chances of children from deprived areas reaching the top level.

Arsenal Women's Jen Beattie speaks on Sky Sports' Three Players and a Podcast described the issue as «frustrating», adding: «The club knows it's not good enough not to have representation at the senior level. It's in the men's team, in a lot of men's football. But he's not good enough in women's football and he's not good enough for us at the moment.

“You see the likes of Rach [Rachel Yankee] on the Emirates [Stadium] side, Anita Asante. and other top players who have played a huge part of our history with Arsenal, so not having this at the moment is disappointing.

“Our academy is taking steps in this direction by allowing coaches and buses to travel from central London to Hertfordshire to enable girls to study within the academy to make it more diverse, inclusive and accessible to all.»