Arsenal Confirms Naomi Williams Exit and Codina Departure London 2026

Key Points

• Arsenal have confirmed that goalkeeper Naomi Williams will leave the club this summer when her contract expires.
• The announcement was made through an official club press release and reported by WSL Full-Time, as cited by Yahoo Sports.
• Williams joined Arsenal’s academy at the age of 13 and progressed to the senior squad.
• She has largely served as goalkeeping cover during her time with the first team.
• Arsenal’s confirmation comes shortly after defender Laia Codina was also reported to be leaving the club at the end of her contract.
• Codina’s final home fixture as an Arsenal player is scheduled to be against Everton at the Emirates Stadium.

Arsenal (North London News) May 11, 2026  have confirmed that Naomi Williams will leave the club this summer, with the goalkeeper’s contract due to expire at the end of the 2025-26 season, according to an official press release from the Gunners reported by WSL Full-Time on 7 May 2026.

Why is Naomi Williams leaving Arsenal?

As reported by WSL Full-Time and relayed by Yahoo Sports, Arsenal said Williams will depart once her deal ends, bringing an end to her spell at the club after coming through the academy and reaching the senior squad. The report says the move means she is likely to seek regular professional football elsewhere next season.

What has Naomi Williams done at Arsenal?

Williams joined Arsenal’s academy at 13 and developed into a member of the first-team set-up, where she has mainly provided cover in goal.

The report does not give a full appearance record for Williams, but it states that her role has been primarily as a squad goalkeeper rather than a consistent starter.

What does Laia Codina’s exit mean for Arsenal?

Arsenal’s announcement about Williams came just days after the club also confirmed that defender Laia Codina will depart when her contract expires in the summer.

Codina joined from Barcelona in the summer of 2023 and has made 58 appearances in all competitions, scoring four goals, while winning the UEFA Women’s Champions League, the FIFA Women’s Champions Cup and the Subway Women’s League Cup during her time in north London. Her departure adds to a run of squad changes as Arsenal prepare for the next season.

What did the club confirm about Codina?

According to the same report, Codina’s exit was described as a move to take on “a fresh challenge” in the 2026-27 campaign. Her final home match as an Arsenal player is set to come against Everton at the Emirates Stadium on Wednesday.

What is the wider context around Arsenal’s squad changes?

The Williams news follows a period in which Arsenal have also been linked with other contract decisions in the women’s side, including reports that Leah Williamson is expected to renew her deal. That creates a wider picture of the club managing key contract renewals and departures at the end of the season.

Background of the development

Arsenal Women have been balancing exits and renewals as the 2025-26 season moves towards its close. Williams’ departure reflects a common point in squad planning, where academy graduates and backup players move on in search of more regular first-team football. Codina’s exit, meanwhile, highlights the club’s ongoing need to refresh parts of the squad after two seasons of changes in personnel.

What could this mean for Arsenal supporters?

For Arsenal supporters, the immediate effect is that the club will need to reshape its goalkeeping depth before next season, especially if Williams’ exit is not replaced internally. It may also signal that more squad turnover is possible if other players choose to move on at contract expiry. For fans, the change could be seen in the club’s matchday squads and in how the manager distributes minutes across the women’s team next season.