# Arsenal Prioritizes Increasing Diversity After Criticism of All-White Women’s Squad Photo
Arsenal have responded to criticism of an all-white women’s squad photo by making it a “key priority” to increase diversity across the club and its teams. The photo, posted on Arsenal’s social media earlier this month, included 27 players and head coach Jonas Eidevall, but fans criticised the club for having no black or ethnic minority players represented in the image.
In a statement, Arsenal said: “We acknowledge our current women’s first-team squad does not reflect the diversity that exists across the club and the communities we represent. Across all our teams, including our men’s and women’s academies, we’re proud of our players from diverse backgrounds who have contributed to our history, success and culture.”
Earlier this year, a review into women’s football – chaired by former Lioness Karen Carney – identified the need to create greater diversity on and off the pitch. Ex-Brighton defender Fern Whelan said in the report that the lack of diversity across the women’s game needed to be “urgently addressed”.
England’s Euro 2022-winning team had three mixed-heritage players – Jess Carter, Nikita Parris and Demi Stokes – but none were part of the largely unchanged starting 11. Carter and Lauren James started regularly for Sarina Wiegman’s side in this summer’s Women’s World Cup as England finished runners-up to Spain, but they were the only ethnic minority players in the squad of 23. In 2021 it was estimated that the proportion of black, Asian and minority players in the Women’s Super League was between 10 and 15%.
## Arsenal Takes Action to Increase Diversity
Arsenal have responded to criticism of their all-white women’s squad photo by making it a “key priority” to increase diversity across the club and its teams. The statement from the club said: “Increasing participation among young women and girls from diverse backgrounds is a key priority for us at academy level, with specific measures in place to improve pathways and accessibility.”
The review into women’s football identified the need to create greater diversity on and off the pitch, with Fern Whelan stating that the lack of diversity across the women’s game needed to be “urgently addressed”. England’s Euro 2022 winning team had three mixed heritage players, but none were part of the largely unchanged starting 11 at this summer’s Women’s World Cup as England finished runners up to Spain, with only two ethnic minority players in the squad of 23.
Arsenal are taking action to increase diversity in their teams, with specific measures in place at academy level to improve pathways and accessibility for young women and girls from diverse backgrounds. The club also said that it is a priority for them to continue to drive greater diversity and inclusion and create a sense of belonging for everyone connected to the club.
## Diversity is Crucial for Women’s Football
It is clear that increasing diversity in women’s football is crucial for the sport to move forward and reach its full potential. Having a diverse range of players on the pitch helps to create a more inclusive environment and encourages more people from different backgrounds to get involved in the game.
It is also important for young girls and women from diverse backgrounds to be able to see themselves represented in the sport they love, as this helps them feel like they belong and can achieve their goals regardless of their background or ethnicity.
Having more diverse teams also helps to create a more competitive environment, as teams with a range of different skillsets can challenge each other and push each other to become better players and teams overall.
## Conclusion
It is encouraging to see that Arsenal have made it a priority to increase diversity across their teams, as this will help create a more inclusive environment for everyone involved in the sport and encourage more people from different backgrounds to get involved in women’s football. It is also important for young girls and women from diverse backgrounds to be able to see themselves represented in the sport they love, as this helps them feel like they belong and can achieve their goals regardless of their background or ethnicity.