5 things you need to know about Élisa De Almeida

Élisa De Almeida became our latest signing of the summer when we announced her arrival on Thursday.

Here are five things you need to know about our new number five…

THE STORY SO FAR

Born in Chatenay-Malabry on January 11, 1998, Élisa is a French right-footed defender who can play centre-back or right-back.

She most recently played for Paris Saint-Germain, where she spent five years, making 154 appearances in all competitions and scoring three goals. She has an impressive fitness record, making at least 25 appearances in each of the last five seasons.

Before that, she played for Montpellier, Paris FC and FCF Juvisy-Sur-Orge.

Last season she registered four assists in 19 Premiere Ligue matches. With PSG she won the Coupe de France Feminine in 2022 and 2024 and wore the captain’s armband.

She also earned some individual accolades with PSG in 2022/23 and 2023/24. Both seasons she was named in the UNFP and LFFP Premiere Ligue teams of the season.

FLYING THE FLAG

Élise has represented France at international level since 2019, earning 52 caps so far, having played for the country’s youth teams, in which she won 2016’s UEFA U19 European Championship in Slovakia.

She was involved in the 2025 UEFA Women’s Euro and played three matches, including France’s 2-1 win over England.

STYLE OF PLAY

Élise loves a tackle but can also carry the ball forward calmly and find her teammates with a wide variety of passes.

Commenting on her own style of play, she said: "I'd say I’m a solid defender, determined in the duels and have a good vision of the game."

ARSENAL THROUGH AND THROUGH

Élise is a massive Arsenal supporter and a big fan of Thierry Henry, as well as Samir Nasri and Arsene Wenger.

"It was normal for me to join Arsenal," she said. "It's a big club. When I was younger, I used to watch a lot of French players play."

After helping France qualify for the 2027 FIFA Women’s World Cup, she recently got to meet our very own William Saliba.

"It was good," she added. "It was a moment of exchange. He's a player I look up to. He's a player I take as an example. Of course I'm happy to be in the same club as him."

She has also played with a couple of former Gunners at PSG, namely Barbora Votikova and Amanda Ilestedt.

ALL SYSTEMS GO

The last 24 hours have been full steam ahead for Élise, who actually played against Ilestedt in PSG 5-1 Eintracht Frankfurt on Wednesday night, before flying to London!

Now she just can't wait to play at Emirates Stadium for the first time.

"I'm looking forward to it," she said. "I know the atmosphere is crazy and the fans are crazy. I'm looking forward to meeting them and I hope to please them."

Get your De Almeida shirt now from Arsenal Direct.