The Arsenal Family came out in full force to welcome home Continental Champions Rafaelle Souza, Beth Mead, Lotte Wubben-Moy and Leah Williamson in celebration of their historic achievements this summer.

The welcome party included the Gunners’ men’s and women’s first teams, both managers Jonas Eidevall and Mikel Arteta, as well as the whole of London Colney’s staff members. But most importantly, the North London club made sure several champions from the women’s football community were in attendance to share in the special occasion – after all, the game is nothing without its fans.

Top Gunners, Stephanie Francis-Shanahan, Tim Stillman, Trisha Lewis, Kunjan Malde, Lucy Monkman aka DJ Monki, Lauren Corelli and Susana Ferreira brought all the vibes on set when linking up some of their favourite women’s players – a moment they’ll never forget.

The biggest summer in women’s football history saw Williamson captain England to a historic win at the UEFA Women’s Euros, where teammate Mead picked up both the Player of the Tournament and Golden Boot awards for her six goals and five assists.

87,000+ fans had Wembley rocking as the Lionesses finally brought home the nation’s first piece of silverware since 1966, while fellow Gunner Souza led Brazil to their fourth consecutive Copa América Femenina – their eight continental crown in nine years.

Both captains will face-off in the inaugural Women’s Finalissima next year, but for now, they’re determined to build on their international success in the hope of taking Arsenal as far as they can this season.

“I’m feeling very excited about the upcoming season!” Souza told VERSUS whilst making sure as many fans and teammates as possible had a chance to wear her medal. “I didn’t get as much of a chance to play last year, but now I feel healthy and just so pumped to play for Arsenal.

“To miss out on the league title by one point, that still hurts, but I think we’re ready to show everyone what we’re made of. And I’m so happy to play with this team, they’ve got the mentality of winners, something I want to help them build on to become champions.”

Teammate Wubben-Moy, the driving force behind the Lionesses’ public letter advocating for an ongoing Euros legacy allowing all schoolgirls the opportunity to play football, echoed Souza’s enthusiasm for the new season and highlighted the importance of building on their recent international wins.

“Both tournaments have shown how much women’s football is on the rise. And it’s sick knowing that rise isn’t centered in one place geographically – not one area is benefitting from the investment or from the increased visibility – it’s worldwide and that’s what we’re here for!

“We’ve got awesome supporters everywhere, not just in London, and we definitely feel that support moving into the new season.”

Some of those fans were in attendance for the players’ ‘homecoming’, including Romance FC Founder, Trish Lewis, and DJ Lucy Monkman, who both explained to VERSUS why they think this is just the beginning for women’s football as we know it.

“I think it’s the beginning for a whole new generation of young girls and women being able to access the game and see themselves as pros,” said Lewis. “The fact we were able to fill out Wembley is just an example of what’s more to come.

“Teams being able to play at major stadiums is going to be huge! Getting ‘bums on seats’ I think is such a great example of, even though the women’s game hasn’t been as heavily invested in as the men’s game, what that England team were able to achieve especially. It represented a country coming together in support of incredible players. Seeing that as a youngster would have been so encouraging.”