Why England’s Michelle Agyemang has been tipped for the top by Arsenal icon

MICHELLE AGYEMANG took just 41 seconds to produce a moment of world-class magic on her England senior debut back in April.

On a disappointing night that saw the Lionesses lose 3-2 to Belgium, Agyemang’s stunning debut strike was a bright spot.

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An audacious delivery from skipper Leah Willamson into the box was followed by a swift and superb volleyed finish from Agyemang.

With England blighted by injuries to some of their key forwards in the spring, the 19-year-old made a timely emergence for boss Sarina Wiegman. 

Chloe Kelly, Alessia Russo and Lauren James had all withdrawn from the April camp.

While Lauren Hemp had been out of action since last November following a knee op.

Amid these fitness concerns, Agyemang’s goalscoring cameo in the Nations League proved significant for the Euros titleholders.  

Her impressive debut was a sign of things to come for Lioness fans.

The 19-year-old was the hero in the Euro 2025 quarter-finals as she rose from the bench to equalise against Sweden, with Sarina Wiegman’s side going on to win on penalties.

She then repeated the feat in the semi-final battle with Italy, playing super-sub to level in the 96th minute before Kelly’s 119th minute winner.

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Agyemang will be hoping to make it three super cameos on the bounce this Sunday as England take on Spain in the Euro 2025 final.

Among those that have had high hopes for the striker, who spent last season on loan at Brighton from Arsenal, is Gunners legend Kelly Smith.

The England icon, who trains the club’s WSL forwards, has backed Agyemang to make her mark. 

In August 2024 Smith, who scored 125 goals in 144 Arsenal games, said: “What I like about Michelle’s strengths is her hold-up play is really good.

“She’s physical, aggressive and got a fantastic shot on her.

“The fans always like to see a home-grown player do really well.

“It’s a credit to Arsenal, the academy staff and structure we have to develop these players and bring them through.”

Here is a look at Agyemang’s football journey and some of the moments that fuelled her rise.

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Academy journey 

Agyemang standout cameos for the Lionesses will not have come as a surprise to those who monitored her progress at Arsenal’s Academy. 

The technically versatile and robust forward, who grew up in Southend, Essex, joined the Gunners’ youth set-up at the age of six.

During her earliest years there she would play matches with the boys’ Under-7s side, initially in central defence, before specialising as a forward. 

While playing for Arsenal’s Academy league side in the 2022-23 season Agyemang netted 19 goals in 11 appearances. 

And her efforts helped the young Gunners end that season as Academy League champions with a five-point lead over runners-up Chelsea.

Senior Arsenal debut and rise through England’s ranks

In November 2022 Agyemang made her senior club debut at 16 coming on in the 77th minute of the team’s 4-0 win away against Leicester City in the WSL. 

Her first senior goal for the Gunners would follow two months later during a 9-0 FA Cup fourth round demolition of Leeds. 

Just as she has done for England, Agyemang showed her knack for making an almost instant impact straight off the bench. 

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It took her just four minutes to find the back of the net after coming on as a 76th-minute substitute. 

In 2023 Agyemang was named in the young Lionesses’ side that competed in the Women’s Under-17 Euros. 

She netted four times during the contest in May that year with her team reaching the semi-finals before being knocked out by Spain. 

Ex-Gunners boss Jonas Eidevall suggested the then 17-year-old had the tactical and technical knowhow that “outmatched” other players in her age group. 

And Agyemang demonstrated this a year later helping England’s youth players reach the semis of the Women’s Under-19 Euros. 

In May 2023, then Arsenal boss Eidevall said: “Michelle has a tactical and technical level and also a physical level that outmatches players at U17 level. 

“She can do that at senior level too. What she is doing (at the U17 Euros) is no surprise to me at all.”

Bright spark for Brighton 

Last May Agyemang took a significant step in her club career by signing her first professional contract with Arsenal. 

The striker’s first pro deal followed her building up her game time as a dual-registration player with Watford FC after joining them in August 2023.  

The first three months of Agyemang’s Golden Girls loan stint were hampered by injury with the striker sidelined by a knee problem. 

However she would make a goalscoring comeback in December that year netting in a 6-0 FA Cup third round dismissal of Southampton. 

The fourth round of the contest that season would see Watford take on the Gunners with Agyemang starting against her parent club.

And while the Golden Girls were trounced 5-1 Agyemang made her mark scoring the team’s only goal in that game last January. 

Former Watford Women’s boss Damon Lathrope, now assistant manager at Plymouth Argyle, told Gooner Fanzine: “Michelle is an absolute super talent. 

“She’s physically on a different planet, to be honest, and she ticks a lot of boxes. 

“She’s technically very efficient. She’s a very good finisher, really powerful, quick and mobile.”

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