Emma Byrne, Emma Mitchell, Alex Scott and Casey Stoney sign new contracts

Emma Byrne, Emma Mitchell, Alex Scott and Casey Stoney have signed new contracts with the club.

Goalkeeper Byrne has been a mainstay of the Gunners’ side for the past 15 years, helping the club to a total of 11 league titles, nine FA Cups and, in 2007, the UEFA Women’s Cup. A Republic of Ireland international, she has over 100 caps for her country.

Mitchell, 22, is capable of playing both in defence and midfield. The Scotland international has established herself as a key part of the Arsenal side since her arrival in July 2013.

Captain Scott was one of three Arsenal Ladies players to help England to third place in the World Cup in Canada this summer. The hugely experienced defender, who came through the Gunners’ Academy, is in her third spell with the club following a period in the United States.

Fellow Lioness Stoney also began her career with Arsenal. After successful spells at Charlton Athletic, Chelsea and Lincoln, she returned to north London January 2014. The defender is a former England skipper and captained Team GB at London 2012.

Ladies manager Pedro Martinez Losa said: “Emma Byrne, Emma Mitchell, Alex and Casey are all key players for our team and we are delighted they have decided to commit their futures to the club. They bring fantastic experience and a winning mentality to the squad and it is important for us to keep players of their quality.”

http://www.arsenal.com/news/news-archive/20150826/four-ladies-players-sign-new-contracts#FlCM1F3MROxbe5kx.99

I'm surprised about this news. Byrne in particular, because the signing of van Veenendaal and Chamberlain's loan made it look as if it was going to be all change in the keeper department for next season. I guess Chamberlain still leaves but Byrne gets to stay for the bench? I wonder if any of the others have stayed on for reduced roles. 

Arsenal do need to address their squad depth and keeping the older heads around in reserve is one way to go about it. But it can be an expensive way to do it though because experience usually equals higher wages and you don't want to be paying players well just to get splinters.