Arsenal's Rafaelle Souza will depart in the summer as she reflects on the journey and her future plans

Arsenal's Rafaelle Souza will leave the club this summer, citing "needing something different" in her life as the reason.

Her final game for the club will be on Saturday, when Arsenal finish their Women's Super League campaign at home to Aston Villa where a point can mathematically secure a top-three finish for Arsenal and qualification for the Women's Champions League again next season.

The 31-year-old Brazil captain joined the WSL side in January 2022, almost 18 months ago.

Despite her short time at the club, she's been influential to Arsenal, helping them win the League Cup and reach the Champions League semi-finals, and creating a secure and solid partnership at the back with Leah Williamson.

"When I first arrived here at Arsenal, I couldn’t believe how everyone welcomed me in," Rafaelle said in a final note to supporters.

"I received so much love from all of our supporters, my teammates and the staff, and I was instantly made to feel like I was part of the Arsenal family. That’s something that has only grown since then and leaving today, my lasting impression is that Arsenal is a club to love. I’ve felt nothing but love from every single person across this club and I can’t tell you how much it means as a player to be part of an environment like this. This place is something special and any player who was the honour of wearing the Arsenal badge is very, very lucky to do so.

It’s been a lovely 18 months here with Arsenal, but I feel like I’m at that point in my career where I’m 31 years old and I need to start thinking about my next career. I need to think about my future. Arsenal have given me everything, but for personal reasons I need something different in my life now," she continued.

"I already think about it now, but I know that one day when I retire I will look back on my time at Arsenal and think wow, I played for one of the greatest clubs in the world. I know that I’ll be old one day and tell all of my children that I played for Arsenal in the Champions League. I feel very proud to say that.

"I’ve got some incredible memories on the pitch during my time at Arsenal and winning the Conti Cup against Chelsea is one of the best, but for me, the one moment that really stands out is something that took place off the pitch. Arriving back from our Copa America win, we walked into the training ground and everyone from the club was there to support us and say congratulations. That was a moment that will stay with me forever because it’s something that represents what this club is all about - class.

"It’s really hard for me to leave this club because I know that this team is working towards something really special and I know they’re going to achieve so much next season, but this is something I have to do for myself. We’ve overcome so much as a group this season, always sticking together and always believing, so I know that anything is possible next season with that same mentality. I know they’re going to go even further and I can promise you that I’ll be watching every game next season on my TV and for years to come. Arsenal is part of my heart now and I’ll be back at Emirates Stadium soon.

"Once a Gooner, always a Gooner," she concluded.

"For reasons that were beyond our control, she will leave," manager Jonas Eidevall said on Friday.

"She's had such a high level, she's been so consistent, and I'm so pleased for us that we've had a player like her.

"We've been very happy with her, she's been very happy playing with us here as well.

"She's sad for it [leaving], we're sad for it, but I really cherished the memories we had with her, I want to thank her for all the contributions she made to the club, and I hope she can have a really strong performance [against Villa] and we can have a really nice sending off."

With Rafaelle leaving and Williamson still in recovery from her ACL injury, Arsenal will need to bring in at least one defender in the summer window if they want to sustain and build on their success this season.

Eidevall also told reporters that he is aware that recent moves in the transfer market have failed, and that the club need to do more. In the winter transfer window, the club failed to sign a much-needed striker after they had bids for Manchester United's Alessia Russo.

"It has to be a very big transfer window for us, especially given that both last summer and the winter window was not good enough for us, and we didn't get our targets in the way we wanted. So we have to get that right this summer."