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We’re still in it!
Ninety nine out of a hundred times, whenever I see people say X team is out of the title race, I chuckle, then I judge, then I chuckle some more. Specially as it relates to Arsenal women and the WSL. Not just because I’m emotionally invested and I refuse to give up, but because anything can happen in this wild sport, and people seem to forget about that.
When I see the arbitrary statement that we’re out to the title race, I ask myself: why trust someone’s judgement and assessment of a situation as it relates to football, when we have seen time and time again?
Honestly it depends on how much I like the person saying it and also on how they frame their reasoning behind it. Is it a mathematical thing? is it a vibes thing? Is a reflection on whoever says it because they give up when things get tough in life?
You know when people say like: if X player was there they would’ve scored or we would’ve had a penalty but the ref cost us the game… things like that? That’s non sense. Its the past and it didn’t happen, so there’s no way, literally no way, for us to know what would’ve happened, because it didn’t happen.
But aside from all reasons, what I can’t stand about this assumption that we’re out of the race, is that the energy of the posts and such don’t help the players.
Imagine you’re a player and you go on twitter checking out what people are saying about your club and you and your teammates and you keep seeing over and over this idea that the title race is over. People that are supposed to be your supporters, reinforcing failure and implying a lack of capability as it relates to facing challenges and overcoming adversity?
THERE ARE SO MANY MATCHES LEFT!!!!!!
Yeah we’re 6 points behind and I get that Chelsea and Man City are on absolute fire. But They play each other this weekend… let’s say that Man City win. They would tie Chelsea on 34 points. Imagine we beat Man Utd and get to 31 points. We still have to play both Chelsea and City so we still have a chance.
I will not give up. Not saying this makes me cooler or better or whatever. I’m saying until we’re mathematically able to win the title, I’m going to believe we will win the title.
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Not mad at that…
I had absolutely no idea that the match today vs LCL was canceled. I just sat down to type a blog and started brainstorming and then looked into the match itself. Before I could do that, my ADD got the best of me and I saw Ruesha’s story which led me to learn that the match was not going ahead.
Part of me feels that we were going to get a result and potentially batter this team, thus elevating the team morale and all that good stuff. The other part of me feels very happy that they can rest and take time to refuel and whatever it is that they do and/or need to do.
However, I keep thinking about how this just adds to the fixture congestion later in the season, assuming that the match happens in a couple of weeks. I really don’t know what the hell I’m talking about but the next 3 matches are all super intense and having a 4th one in there might not be ideal? Maybe it is?? WTF do I know?
In a perfect world pitches wouldn’t get waterlogged, but they do and this one did. I am not smart enough to talk about what has to be done, which kind of investment and groundskeeping is not my area of expertise. What I think I know is that everyone involved would be trying to prevent this from happening and will be thinking about the future and what lessons can be learned.
Wanted to take a quick second to thank all of you for always reading this little blog that I love so much. My post about wearing arsenal socks at the Grammys got a lot of love and tons of people came to the blog and have heard my pod. Thank you!!
I am just trying my best to provide something different in the AWFC universe that is genuine. I don’t imply that what I say is the truth, but it’s my truth and I think its the least each and every one of you deserve.
What am I supposed to do now though?? Was looking forward to today… 😦
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Simmer down
That’s targeted to myself haha. I recorded a podcast last night and I got very passionate and I think I was maybe a little harsh. I decided to keep it as is because you deserve my honesty and from the conversations I’ve been having, a lot of you agree.
I always try to be positive and optimistic and I don’t actually enjoy criticism but I am human, and I care a lot about these players and their well being in every way. I might’ve have gotten in a little two footed on Jonas and some of LWM’s passes (not her, she’s a gem of a human).
Let me know what you think
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Weird Sunday
I’m trying to save most of what I would like to say for the podcast I’m going to record later today, but saying that yesterday was a weird Sunday, in the best and weirdest of days, is a fair assessment.
The loss rattled me, but as usual what I’m rattled about is knowing that the players are impacted and they are angry, sad, and whatever they feel PLUS knowing that they will be getting hate and abuse, which is never ever ok.
The days were the losses affect ME are gone. Losses affect me emotionally because I care about these players truly and deeply and whatever negative thing is going in their lives is something that I hope goes away, and this is not only Arsenal related. I just so happen to only have an insight into what happens from a footballing perspective.
I thought the game would be totally different and that’s my fault. I should have known better to not be arrogant and assume we were going to win. Questions about what Jonas does when facing low block defenses need to be asked.
Last night I had the honor of performing at The Grammys with Miley and I promise you that throughout the day I kept thinking about how the hell anyone takes off Beth and Viv. The timing of the subs, the amount of subs, the apparent desperation. It’s a lot to digest and I was thinking about how the girls would be feeling the whole day.
Gotta run but watch this by the best in the game aka Shebahn. I agree with her always.
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All 3 start!
It’s 4:23am here in LA and the match is about to start. Today is a wild day for me and out of all days, today is one were I probably shouldn’t be up this early but I clearly cannot help myself and I have never not watch 2 games in a row.
Anyway, who cares about me?!? Let’s talk really quickly about something that has been a long, long time coming: Leah, Viv and Beth all start, together, at the same time, in the same match. I like redundancy.
This is so incredible and huge and magical. Where months and years ago this was a given, we have learned, the hard way, how it can all be gone in an instant and we need to value every single day, and love with all of our might.
As I watch Leah taking some time for herself right before walking out and smiling from ear to ear I am overwhelmed with pride and excitement.
Real quick, regarding the game itself: we need to score lots and keep a clean sheet. Goal difference is gonna be a thing at the end of this season again and I’m sorry West Ham but this is a perfect game to run up the score and try to catch Chelsea and Man City, who are +9 and +8 to the good respectively.
Great to see Steph back and also happy that McCabe is getting a break.
Podcast coming tomorrow.
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Good for you, Jen!
This is a blog post I definitely didn’t expect to be writing. I didn’t expect it’s timing, I didn’t expect it’s content and I for sure didn’t expect it’s protagonist. I also didn’t expect it to make me as emotional as it did and even though I will most likely be doing a full episode on this, I wanted to drop a quick line today.
I am extremely happy for Jen Beattie. My first thought was:
NOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!!!!
But I took some breaths and tried to read as much as I could but it was very difficult due to where I was and what I was doing. The overall vibe I got was a positive one and putting my selfishness aside, I have to know that this is what is best for her at the moment.
I’m bummed, don’t get that twisted. I have issues with this move and I have very strong feelings about it. She is the type of player you keep FOREVER and you cannot convince me that she isn’t still a great player. She should’ve played more and Jonas could’ve played her more, full stop.
But, since I live in California and I know very, very well how incredible the weather is here, how beautiful it all is and all that, I’m excited that she will at least get to live in one of the most beautiful places in this state and she will be part of a lovely project with some incredible players.
No amount of thank yous are enough. But I’ll do my best to express said gratitude very soon.
Enjoy your Saturday
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Ok Emily, Ok!
I would be lying to your face if I told you I’ve been watching Emily Fox’s performances in a focused, attentive way. It’s not her fault that there have been other players that I have focused on and I was so mad at us selling Noelle that anyone except Ellie Carpenter was going to be someone I was going to ignore for a bit. I’m petty and you are too, let’s dance.
I still haven’t sat down and watched the Liverpool match fully but the 13 min or so that I watched were very, very good as far as Emily is concerned. She’s a fantastic addition to this squad and her energy and versatility are assets to say the least.
My identity/national identity/send of belonging is a very personal, deep and complex thing and I won’t get into it too much, but all this to say that even as an American citizen, I have ZERO connection to any USWNT players. I don’t watch the NWSL, I don’t particularly care or have cared about American players at Arsenal. I cared wayyyyy more when Deyna, a Venezuelan, joined Man City and I wanted her to thrive.
They are the nemesis to the dutch, which own my heart fully, so I’m always hesitant whenever we are linked with a player from the USA. Explaining it would take me way too long but I think most of you guys would agree.
Emily, though, has made me care and focus on her and I sure will be keeping an eye for HER when she plays for the USWNT and it seems like she will be doing so for years to come.
Oh and holy shit did Horan spill some incredible tea, a tea which I have been wanting someone to spill forever. It was popcorn stuff.
Fox, a player of the month nominee has been impressive and everyone is talking about her and instead of blogging about the few things I’ve seen her do I need to watch more. It’s the least she deserves.
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CAme and went… or did it?
After months of anticipation, rumors, irresponsible twitter accounts posting totally wrong information…that’s it??? You mean to tell me that this underwhelming transfer window, not just for us for overall, has been officially closed just like that? Not gonna lie to you, I expected more action.
But… if there is one thing I know, is that NOBODY knows what goes on in the club behind the scenes and I would bet any money that numerous pieces of business were done and we have no insight whatsoever, no clues, no rumors, no leads, nothing, and I LOVE THAT.
I’m just like anyone else and want new players and enjoy the whole situation but if my first instinct is to complain about what my assumptions are, then I need to cool it and just wait for things to happen and moreover, I need to trust that people are doing what they are supposed to do.
I think it’s important to note that we don’t know who makes the final decisions, wether it’s Jonas or the board, etc. So with that said, it’s hard to know who to “complain” about if we aren’t getting the players we want, etc etc etc. Perhaps this lack of target for our complaints it’s a sign that there’s nothing constructive about tweeting “but what about X player.”
Also not ever in the history of any club, has someone decided to announce and player’s renewal because of fans tweeting at the club and demanding that. I definitely think that’s not needed at all and we need to let the club do whatever they do.
Qualifying or quantifying transfers is a slippery slope because there might be singings that have deeper meanings than just an on field solution. There might be moral boosting signings, cultural glue signings and much more.
Either way, no Mary Earps hahaha.
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Measuring recovery is tricky
Players have always had infinite amounts of pressure on them. They have always had unreal expectations thrown at them, and they have had to deal with people’s assumptions as far as how to perform and why. It has to be so mentally challenging and that is why few people end up being professional footballers in the WSL.
This pressure though is to a degree universal, in my opinion, and this is felt also by people in lower leagues or “weaker” leagues, because as women it’s always going to be difficult and they are never going to be good enough for some. How stupid that? Anyway… that’s not my point today.
I was just thinking how as fan we tend to glorify injured players’s returns. Starting from a positive situation, we all want them to thrive and expect them to be happy and perform well but the measuring stick is very different for each and us as fans need to manage our expectations.
What does Laura have to do now to get the plaudits? How much pressure are we putting on her? Beth is scoring, Viv is not scoring, Leah assisted… you see what I’m getting at? Anything less will be hard to post online about as it relates to ONE moment.
For arguments sake, it would be a much bigger deal for Laura to take over Emily Fox than any worldie that Beth or Viv can score. Emily is playing really well so THAT’S the objective right? To get back on the squad, then start regularly.
The reality is that Beth, Viv and Leah didn’t have anyone else better than them that might truly actually worry fans about their comeback. There simply weren’t. They are among the best on planet earth and I have no clue who we could’ve signed that are better than them. I wouldn’t have any other 3 players.
But Laura isn’t considered world class yet but they way she has endeared herself with us fans speaks louder than just ability, and let’s face it: she was doing GREAT. Her passion, grit and power were outstanding and we definitely miss her.
Can’t wait for her to come back and I hope we all support just as much, if not more, than what we have done for the other girls.
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So. Many. Keepers
NEW POD!
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A very subjective look into AWFC 