You’re most likely reading this because you have been moved, shaped and/or changed by women playing the world’s most beautiful sport. Through that journey, however long or short it may be you will have seen how we learn so much about life, about women, about ourselves, through things that these women do, say and feel.
As someone who is somewhat new to this, I have felt very strongly and passionately how my life be enhanced in more ways than I can describe since I started following the oranjeleeuwinnen and Arsenal Women. In 5 short years I have basically become a better person and I owe it all to their work on and off the pitch.
During the qualifiers Viv played 90 minutes for the first time and yes, you don’t need to remind me that she is not an AWFC player anymore, but this blog will continue to speak about her, will continue to hold space for her, will continue to honor her in every way and through any chance I get. So, playing 90 minutes, the way she described in her instagram post was something very special and it made me think deeper about her journey, her injury and how it relates to our current players with ACL injuries/recovery.
Saying the things that she said in the most public of ways was always going to be hard, but add to that WHAT she said that makes this such a powerful, vulnerable and admirable thing. It’s truly incredible to see one of the best players in the history of the game, a player that breaks records etc etc etc talk so openly about how special it is to play 90 minutes. And as she implies, 90 mins are taken for granted left and right, the same way that we as non footballers might take for granted so many things.
Once again, a female footballer makes me stop, reflect, audit and practice self awareness and I never truly did that during my years as a male football fan and if i did, I have no memory other than thinking to myself : “what would Bergkamp do?” in a difficult situation. ‘
The same way Viv opened up and talks about her struggles we have to know that all players go through so many different things but not all are open or eloquent enough to express certain things. Moreover, the fact that people close to Viv know that she is in their lives, has to feel like some sort of superpower.
In turn, we have to be that superpower for others. We have to be a Viv for them, and most importantly, you have to be a Viv for YOU.
d ❤
THAT ARSENAL WOMEN PODCAST on:
You can listen to my music HERE
A very subjective look into AWFC 
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