De Almeida: “I can’t wait to get started”

Élisa De Almeida went through a whirlwind 24 hours, signing for Arsenal the day after playing for PSG on Wednesday night, and she can’t wait to get going in red and white.

Our new recruit sat down for her first club interview at the Sobha Realty Training Centre on Thursday to discuss the move.

“I’m excited to join Arsenal,” she said. “I think it's a goal in my career. It's a very big club and I can't wait to meet the team tomorrow.

“Everything went very quickly for me. It's an honour to be here today.”

Élisa went onto explain that she’s a Gooner through and through and so it was a no-brainer once she found out about our interest.

“It was normal for me to join Arsenal,” she explained. “It's a big club. When I was younger, I used to watch a lot of French players play. Thierry Henry, Samir Nasri and coach Arsene Wenger. It was obvious for me to join Arsenal.

“I spoke to Renée before coming here. She told me what she was expecting of me and what position I was in. I'm here to help the team and I can't wait to get started.

“I’d say I’m a solid defender, determined in the duels and have a good vision of the game.”

English supporters might recall De Almeida scoring against the Lionesses at the Euros, but she’s now looking forward to being on the same team as them.

“I’m happy to have them on my team today,” she said. “I was happy to score against them because I had to at the time. I'm happy to play with them and I can't wait to meet them.”

She also got to meet William Saliba after recently helping France qualify for the 2027 FIFA Women’s World Cup.

“It was good,” she said. “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.”

Élisa also played with former Gunners Amanda Ilestedt and Barbora Votikova during her time at PSG, and even played against the former on Wednesday.

“I saw Amanda last night against Frankfurt,” she said. “I played for PSG v Frankfurt in the Champions League. I didn't get the chance to speak to her. She came back to the changing room quickly but I didn't get the chance to speak to her.”

Now, our new number five is eager to make her first appearance at Emirates Stadium.

“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.”

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