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I feel free
I’ve pointed out in the past couple of posts and also on my podcast how I have been taking somewhat of a break from social media, specifically from Twitter. There are numerous reasons for this, more than I care to talk about but we all know how that site is terrible and has become worse and worse ever since El*n M*sk bought it. It’s not what it used to be.
The level of freedom and reduced anxiety that I have felt as it relates to just AWFC and women’s football is absolutely phenomenal. I’m not seeing people arguing, reading arbitrary opinions, I don’t see any rumors, any hatred towards players either. I don’t see the same bit of “news” reposted by 27 different bot-like accounts with zero verification on the truth of any of it.
I feel so free. Disconnected, but free and I’m totally ok with that. Of course I’m also disconnected with politics and with random but necessary things that have ultimately been very distracting and I don’t think there’s any coincidence as to why I have gotten some things done that I’ve been putting off and I have also been trying a slightly different daily routine and I feel very, very good.
Letting go has been very beneficial and I keep thinking about how the players feel, knowing that there are hundreds if not thousands of people writing about them. I’m guilty of that for sure, I literally talk about players every single day, so I guess I’m not helping.
I second guess this blog and my podcast all the time. The idea of being on the other side and seeing some random dude in LA talk about ME would be horrific so don’t be surprised if one day I just totally shut it down.
Trying to be respectful and also add content and help the game grow in my own way is something that is not only interesting but the main fuel. Doesn’t always come out that way but my intention isn’t to talk about people but the adjacent stuff.
Anyway, here’s the latest episode of That Arsenal Women Podcast
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What will our defense look like?
Isn’t it the best to start the week off with lots of uncertainty and anxiety about how our backline is going to look? Happy Monday to. you too!
I was very rattled, and still am, about Noelle leaving without any cover, up until we saw those pictures of Emily Fox training. A player who I have zero knowledge of and I don’t even know if I have seen her play. Maybe she had some minutes at the WC? I have no idea.
What I do know is that if Jonas wanted to have Katie there instead of Noelle, then Emily has to be much better than Noelle, and I just don’t see how that’s a thing. Let me explain what I mean because that sounds rude: of course Emily can be better than Noelle, but what I question is how much better is she really to then take over the RB role and Jonas then play McCabe somewhere else.
We have 2 amazing LBs, we have 2 amazing RBs, well now we have none that are around/fit but we have no choice but to trust that whomever comes in will do so soon and will adapt.
To me the clearest, smartest, most logical partnership at CB has to be Leah and Amanda. And I know what you’re all thinking, but I will die on the hill that LWM is a right back or a CDM. But I might be wrong. Leah and Amanda might clash, and maybe it’s Leah and Laia.
The truth is I have no idea and I’m not sure the people that should, do either, only because of Leah’s injury and there’s just no data to back anything up. What I think is hard is that we need to try these things during the tail end of the season when usually it’s at the start until we find what works.
Lotte has been playing better than ever and I’m very happy for her and for the club. I feel she’s extremely versatile and because we don’t have many RBs to me it’s a no brainer that we could use her there. No sure how versatile the other defenders are but they have to be to be at that level.
Maybe Teyah is the answer for Jonas and for us. Either way I’m excited, not anxious, to see how we do line up and what the response to a crappy end of the year will be. Only a few more days!
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Love to Sam Kerr
As I’ve mentioned to you a few times, I have made it a point to stay away from social media as much as possible. I only log on to twitter to post the link to these blogs as this is where most of my traffic comes from. However, I woke up this morning and something told me to check it before I posted and that’s when I found out about Sam Kerr and her ACL injury. Absolutely horrible news for her, for her team, for Australia, for her relationship with Emma Hayes and more.
I’ve been meaning to actually talk about Chelsea and why I dislike the club, but I haven’t and it’s worth mentioning that its 100% because of their men’s team and former owner. So to be honest, I actually do like Emma Hayes and Sam and many of the players that have caused me so much pain and suffering, and nobody has been more clinical and deadly against us than Sam, who has to be one of the best players ever surely.
So no, I’m not happy that she’s suffering and that Chelsea are not counting on her for the rest of the season. I wanted us to beat them to the title with full strength sides, always. Her absence will impact the WSL negatively, I’m afraid.
The other side of the coin, as far as how it affects us in a “good way” will be ignored out of respect for her at the moment.
We know how tough these situations are, more than anyone. So this is a perfect opportunity to be empathetic and show some support in any way we can, or at the very least not put out negative content.
The thing that stands out to me at the moment is how her and Emma Hayes played one of if not the last game together ever. Imagine being robbed out of a true farewell or an emotional last few matches under your coach and wanting to give her a send off in the best of ways but this is how it has to end?
Heartbreaking to say the least.
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Thank you, Noelle!
I’m actually shocked at the news. Like, I had heard rumors but this transfer makes absolutely no sense to me, from where I stand and based on nothing but assumptions. I doubt that unless someone sits me down and explains to me why the club would ever let this incredible, solid, reliable, talented player is beyond me. Noelle is one of our best defenders and I’m sorry if this is a tough thing for her.
I’m temped to compare her to other players but the reality is that there’s nobody like her in out team. She has never disappointed and is as consistent as they come. Even when Laura was playing more than her I always felt it was a matter of time until Noelle turned it up again and made that right back position her own.
When we talk about the sport getting stronger I personally don’t mean selling our best players to teams in the same league, for crying out loud.
But on to the positives. I’m happy that she’s gonna get to play and do so often. Villa are a great club and have signed amazing players and Noelle fits that profile for sure. She will be a star there and we will miss her so very much.
She’s the closest thing to Katie in terms of fire/bite/tenacity and I cannot for the life of me comprehend why she wouldn’t be kept, like I said before. Its not like we have several RBs either.
Again, I don’t want to compare but she’s so much better than a few of the players that seem to have a bit of a cult following and this is a perfect example of us as a fan base not realizing what we had.
Maritz is a GEM of a player and I’m much less confident we’re going to win a trophy this year without her, and that’s just what I believe deeply. Of course, the pragmatic part of me would say that it depends on who comes in to replace her but if they’re going to be anywhere near her level that’s a very, very high standard.
Also bothers me that Lia won’t have her Swiss teammate alongside and I truly feel this will disrupt a lot about the team, from where I stand of course which I get means nothing to anyone haha.
Much love to you NM for everything you’ve done and it was an absolute pleasure watching you beat Villa, of all teams, in person a few months ago.
THANK YOU
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Twelve?!!
Hey friends!
I just had a few things come up and have to leave the house for the rest of the day which means I don’t have any time at all to write BUT I wanted to stop by and drop a line really quick.
Last night I was waiting for a phone call and wanted to check out the schedule to be reminded of the path that is ahead for the girls, where we would pick up points, where we would potentially lose them and was absolutely shocked.
There are only 12 matches left. ONLY TWELVE. What?
Seems like the season just got started and also 12 seem like nothing. At the same time, glad it’s only 12 for the sake of the players and their health. In a way we wish there were more with CL matches and getting farther and farther in the cup competitions but just a dozen matches for the competition we want the most is just wild.
Not sure exactly in which way but it hit me this morning.
Gotta go!
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I had no idea about Kayla
Maybe I’ve been poor at keeping up with every single piece of news, but I honestly had no idea that Kayla Marckese had injured her ACL back in November. I feel very bad for her and I also know that if I was aware of this situation I would’ve said something about it sooner.
From what I just read she just ended her loan spell at Bristol City and she’s doing her rehab at Arsenal, where we know things are going to be great for her and she will have all the support that she needs and deserves.
For the past few months I’ve been trying to spend less and less time on social media but moments like these make me feel guilty that I missed big news. I should’ve know or at least I should’ve done some research when I was talking about the keeper situation at AWFC but I just assumed she was on loan and was playing and everything was ok.
So, where does this leave us in terms of the keeper situation mentioned above? Well I certainly have no idea and can’t even come up with a scenario because I just don’t know how any of this works. Does that injury have any impact on us getting a new Keeper?
My guess is not at all because the keeper we’re after is basically the best in world, but if we were going for a number 2 then I would imagine this would have a deeper impact.
However, the main and only concern is Kayla’s health and mental well being. I know that our club will do everything in their power to support and help her and I have all the confidence that she is right where she needs to be to overcome this.
Like I mentioned, I’m sorta taking time away from social media but I will continue not only to post here every day but my pod returns next week. Took the holidays off but I’m working on some things that are making me have to postpone a new episode, but all for amazingly good reasons.
Get well soon Kayla!
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Limbo
Ah! That weird time when we all want new signings and desperately wait for news yet nothing is happening. I honestly have been doing this to myself as far back as I can remember and I just never learn.
My expectations are so high and even though I know the announcements won’t come for who knows how long, part of me just wishes so so so bad that the second the window opens, things will happen. It’s very silly and I need to be better about this and manage my expectations and assumptions.
I don’t have that good of a memory to tell you what the club has done historically or if there are any patterns that might illuminate which path we will go towards. I really have no idea and I find that talking about uncertain things so much feels like a fun thing and also a frustrating thing. All I know is that we cannot afford to NOT be active in the window.
This isn’t me implying that we don’t have great players or that lots of people have to leave, etc. I think that transfer windows are also a way for clubs to send a message and establish a loud and clear strategy that says: “we’re serious”
And let’s be honest, the summer signings were a very big deal with Russo and Amanda especially being massive signings, so are we being to greedy for wanting more players or big name signings during this window?
I guess the caveat to all this is the health of the current squad but with the amount of matches being played, the deeper the squad the better. Of course there is a limit to the amount of players but I truly hope this is something that can be revisited.
As much of a bigger selection headache that can be for the manager, I would rather have more players to choose from than having injuries and/or mental exhaustion truly affect the players and their well being.
This is a long conversation that I haven’t really thought too much about but I might write more about it in the upcoming days.
Thoughts???!!
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I finally watched Step by Step
Ever since I heard about the documentary being a thing I was very hesitant to watch it. Knowing myself, I felt that it would be a very volatile emotional roller coaster but I have to say I was pleasantly surprised. Granted, I truly believe there were a lot of things that were left out and although the process seems like this collective beautiful thing, we would be insane if we didn’t acknowledge that there would have been lots of dark days. So, all this so say that it was very well done and I learned a lot and some things were reinforced.
I truly respect the way the ACL injury problem was tackled and approached, with the aim to find a solution. The specialists featured brought fantastic insight and the way they explained everything I thought was concise, easy to understand and had the aim to empower via education and perspective.
My biggest takeaway was the concern about the future generations. How they are both extremely passionate to help academy players to prevent the injury and to live a worry free life, enjoying the sport and focusing on what matters which is loving life and football.
More than eye opening it was more of a heart opening experience and it came when I really needed it, with all the insanity and suffering going on in the world at the moment. This is a perfect example of football transcending and I think AWFC have embodied that historically and this is just another example of that.
Proud of them both, proud of the club, proud of Laura and Teyah and Leah too.
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It’s open!
First of all: HAPPY NEW YEAR
Secondly, The transfer window is finally open and I will be an absolute ball of anxiety the next few weeks.
I don’t talk about rumors for several reasons. One of them is that they are just that, rumors. Another reason is because of the nature of social media, now more than ever, when it’s just copy/paste or more like AI doing it’s thing and there’s just nothing to hang on to from a reliable source type of situation.
Thankfully, the small number of contacts I have that know these things, are not people I bother with inquiries so I’m as surprised as anyone else but Jesus it would be nice to be told something juicy.`
Rumors are always a deep rabbit hole and there’s never any end to them and it honestly feels like a waste of time. Specially because I get super emotionally invested and end up hoping for the transfers that would never happen. Like I wanna see Alex Greenwood or Mapi Leon play with Leah at the back, but that’s not happening is it? I want Rafa to come back too, etc etc etc.
But seriously speak, what do we need? who do we need? I have answers to both of those questions. To both I will say: I’m not sure. Just because I don’t share the same view for the future that a lot of people seem to have. I see things completely different and I have come to terms with the fact that what I want to happen is just not going to be in the short term future.
What I will say is that whatever we do I hope we do it soon. Make a statement. Don’t wait until a freak injury or situation happens when we are SOL aka sh*t outta luck.
Here’s to a trophyful 2024
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My best year as a fan to date
When I look back at this year I can’t help but feel the deepest and truest gratitude. It has been, by far, the most important year of my life as a football fan. Interestingly enough it has also been one of my toughest, if not, the toughest year professionally for me in recent memory. Although I will mention things that I have lived, it’s not my intention to make it about ME but as a way to register my gratitude.
This is from memory btw… chronology might be all messed up.
I was able to fly to St. Louis and watch Katie McCabe, Louise Quinn, Ruesha Littlejohn and company play the USWNT. There I got to spend a lot of time with my friend Pete aka LeGrove aka The Arsenal Opinion Podcast.
The World Cup was a total success and even though I wasn’t there, to follow a tournament and actually know A LOT of the players, coaches etc this time around was a very important thing for me because that was my plan after the 2019 WC… to be much more well versed and I think I was able to do that.
Podcasts/YouTube wise I had started and ended my channel because it was just way too much work and my expectations for it’s growth were just not realistic compared to the amount of effort it would take, and I have to admit I wasn’t interested in that much work. It was exhausting and maybe if I had a team or had the budget to employ a video editor, etc. Will I revisit this? I doubt it… not AWFC specific though I don’t think. But who knows?
I was lucky enough to be invited to speak on talkSPORT now a total of 3 times with Martin Kelner, a total legend. This was done thanks to my friend Sophie Nicolaou, who runs The Highbury Squad YouTube channel, where I have been privileged enough to appear a few times, including shows with Shebahn Aherne, Suzy Wrack and others.
Arsenal LA hosted an event here with Gooners vs Cancer and I spoke at a panel too, which was amazing and we were able to raise a lot of money. Oh, and Gooner Mike who runs that foundation, hosted a 27 hour podcast and Sophie and I appeared as well, and it was incredible to be a part of that.
Of course, the highlight was flying to London and seeing the girls beat Aston Villa at The Emirates. To live what I lived was truly surreal and whenever I can, I will share more, but for now what I can say is that my life changed, for sure. Massive thanks to Jamie, Adam and Leontine for being so incredible and literally walking me through the steps.
London was magnificent and so were the prices at The Armoury but I had to buy some goodies which were worth every penny. Went to talkSPORT, met some incredible people, walked a lot, ate a lot and also slept a lot.
Last but not least: THIS BLOG.
I can’t tell you how much it has meant to me. To have a consistent outlet which above anything else, helps me become accountable and consistent, has been one of the coolest things I’ve ever done and I’m very excited to continue writing.
As you know some blog posts are better than others, some make sense and some don’t. But what I do know is that I will continue to be a source of AWFC content for you, all coming from a different perspective than what you read out there.
Hope 2024 is your best year yet!
THANK YOU
A very subjective look into AWFC 