Arsenal on Friday took the decision to "move the modern game forward" by dropping the suffix 'Ladies' from the women's team.
The move is part of what long-time captain Alex Scott refers to as a “statement of intent, support and unity” between the Arsenal teams.
During their 30 years of existence, Arsenal Ladies established themselves as the pre-eminent force in English women’s football, winning 43 major honours including an unprecedented quadruple in the 2006-07 season in which they became the first, and so far only, British team to lift the Women’s European Cup.
Scott said: “In changing our name we are celebrating a new chapter in our history, a chapter in which we want to empower a new generation of both males and females.
"The term ‘Women’ delineates between men and women without as many stereotypes or preconceived notions and it is in keeping with modern day thinking on equality.
“At Arsenal we want to continue to inspire young people and to be positive influences for all females and males around the world no matter what age or circumstance.
"We want to continue to show that we are at a stage that it is ok to welcome change, to speak out and to dream whilst having the confidence to do so.”
Whilst the club will be formally referred to as Arsenal Women Football Club, the term Arsenal Women will only be used on the occasions when it is required to differentiate Pedro Martinez Losa’s squad from the men’s team.
Arsenal finished the 2016 WSL in third place, behind champions Manchester City and Chelsea, but showed impressive form in the recent Spring Series, going unbeaten across eight games but once more finishing behind the same teams.
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