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Walti is out barometer
Wow. Just… Wow. Today was one of those unforgettable days as an Arsenal Women fan and I’m so happy for all the fans that got to witness this magical day in person. I’m chuffed for the players, the staff and everyone watching from all over the world. Today was MASSIVE.
I will go into more details tomorrow on a new podcast episode for sure but before I go I have to mention what an incredible footballing display we all witnessed from Lia Walti. If anyone out there ever thought that she was not who she has proven to be, then I have a few mean words for you.
She was everywhere and had her best match, in my opinion, in months. And I’ve always said it. She is THE barometer. How she plays, the team plays. This is a constant and I’ll die on this hill.
See you tomorrow friends, enjoy this feeling!
Weird post, I know… but I’m a weird guy.
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Good Luck…
Those wishes are targeted towards ME… I need all the luck that I can get as far as sleeping goes! The match is at 4:30am tomorrow and since I’m always up an hour before the match starts that means that I will most likely get only 3 or 4 hours of sleep and tomorrow is gonna be an insane day as it is so to say it’s gonna be interesting would be an understatement.
Real quick I wanted to thank everyone that has checked out my podcast. I know it doesn’t sound like a huge number because most people break that number in a single day, but That Arsenal Women Podcast how has over 5000 downloads!! That is huge for me in more ways that you can imagine. So, instead of getting into an emotional place I’m just going to once again thank you.
So, let’s talk about the match, which could end up being THE most important WSL match of the season for us. And I can’t start anywhere else but with Emma Hayes. She is just an absolute force and I really respect her. Not only for what she did for Arsenal back in the day but for what she has done for Women’s Football overall. With that said, this being potentially the last time we ever host Chelsea under her reign, then I hope the fans give her a good send off… yet something tells me that not exactly what 58k people want to do. I guess it’ll depend on the result itself.
Like I had mentioned a couple of days ago, I’m actually very confident that we will win. I truly do. Now, this doesn’t mean that I’m positive that it will happen, just that if we don’t win I will actually be surprised, if that makes any sense.
I’m not even going to guess on what the lineup will be or what key match ups should be, but I will say two words: Vivianne Miedema.
I think this will be her moment, regardless if she comes in as a sub or starts. I truly believe that this is the match that Jonas has waited to start her in. If he is believes there are starters and also finishers, I don’t see a reason why she couldn’t be one of the starters. But what do I know?
You know me well enough to know where I would say our weaknesses are and I’m also convinced that that will not be addressed as Jonas and seemingly the entire fan base thinks a different way. Or a couple ways I should say.
What I’m implying is that Chelsea are going to score at least twice I reckon, which means we need to be absolutely ruthless in front of goal and that’s why I think Viv is going to shine… and as a bonus I will say that Beth vs Charles can be very good for us. Not that I don’t rate Charles, but when Beth is on fire, I don’t think anybody can handle her.
I won’t say anymore hahaha.
Enjoy the match.
Weird post, I know… but I’m a weird guy.
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60k?!!?!
The numbers we’re seeing are unbelievable. My assumption is that the game will be sold out for what is a historic match that promises to be as intense and eventful as we could ever imagine. I expect numbers like this but major tournaments but it never ceases to amaze me how the game has grown and how for a regular season match you have a potential record breaking crowd watch these incredible athletes. Its just magnificent isn’t it??
With that said, the match itself deserves a lot of analysis that, you guessed it, I’m not equipped to make as I base most of what I say about AWFC on vibes. Sometimes I might mention a stat or something but overall I just try to expand of my gut feelings.
Said feelings say that we are going to win. There’s too much at stake and the team is playing really well, so based on that alone I will feel very optimistic going into it. Viv and Pelova are beyond energized, Alessia, Beth and LWM will be so focused and pumped to get a disappointment behind them ASAP. Of course some of these dynamics also apply to Chelsea players but because emotions will be super high, the fans at the Emirates can help us get over the line and motivate our players.
Leah back in full training mode can only make everyone feel so much more positive and optimistic. I mean… imagine that backline with Amanda and Leah!??! UNREAL.
I’ll do a better preview tomorrow. Gotta run!
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Bittersweet Nations League
Here’s the latest podcast
d ❤
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DAMN!
Yesterday was one of the one intense that I could say I will remember forever but because my memory absolutely SUCKS I will just have to express how I felt here if nothing else, for the sake of posterity.
There were so many mixed feelings that it’s hard to encapsulate them all and I honestly think doing it via podcast might be the way to go, so as far as the NED/ENG situation I will get into that in way more detail.
But what I do wanna chat about quickly is how wild it was following those updates, the bittersweetness of it all PLUS Arsenal men vs Luton and that last second Declan Rice header. Just the sum of it all was bloody insane, plus I was driving and couldn’t watch anything really.
I think one of the reasons it’s difficult to write is because being happy on one side means the other side isn’t happy and it’s tough as an Arsenal fan because you want everyone to be happy. Meanwhile poor Lia is getting absolutely destroyed with Switzerland and it barely gets any attention.
That’s all for now until I record the pod in a few hours BUT in the meantime, please read this by the amazing Suzy Wrack
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Vandaag
Today is the day. Final day of the Olympics qualification is here. I won’t be able to watch a single minute of any of the matches and I don’t know if that’s a good thing or not. I’m just gonna convince myself that its good that I don’t watch it only because the other alternative is not possible.
The Netherlands play Belgium and they already beat us in what was an absolute shock that I certainly didn’t see coming. That shows my arrogance and my ignorance which usually go hand in hand. But we cannot lose this match. We just can’t.
What I would like to see on the pitch as far as a lineup for the Oranjeleeuwinnen is just not going to happen. I don’t see Jonker making any significant changes I’m afraid. So to be completely honest with you I have surrendered to that. I no longer wish or hope to see the formation and players on the pitch that I would like and that is a little freeing.
One of the positives for the Dutch is that our bench is pretty deep and solid. I wish more players would have gotten more minutes so when 3 or 4 of them come into the match it doesn’t completely shuffle the system and dynamic and vibe. But overall I’d love to see Merel Van Dongen and Kirsten Casparaij start.
I feel this is the kind of match where Jill Roord needs to shine, score 2 goals and setup another one. We need a breakout performance and I am putting all my good vibes and hope on her absolutely bossing it.
And as far as AWFC is concerned of course my dream is to see Viv score the winning goal somehow, someway. That would be lovely and she deserves that type of joy. And the more I think about it… could it be!?!?!
I mean… it would be poetic! and if anyone truly can handle that occasion it’s the best striker we’ve seen, basically ever.
I’m predicting a 3-1 win for the Dutch and England to win as well.
But again, I know nothing.
Enjoy the matches!!
d ❤
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Eye on Chelsea though…
If you are like me and are very much interested in International football, you are always keeping an eye out for the national team matches. Yes club football is the thing I’m interested in the most, you would think, but I think a lot of it has to do with the scheduling of it, maybe. Either way, some of us care about BOTH and one affects the other.
For instance, as an AWFC fan and Netherlands supporter I am deeply invested in how Vivianne is doing, as I was when Dom, Jill, Sari, etc where playing. I’m also interested and invested in the lionesses because of Beth and Russo, and same goes with Ireland, Australia, etc you get my point.
But these International breaks can be so disruptive to a flow and a momentum that usually takes weeks upon weeks to create. And a potential perfect example of that is the current break, which is filled with so much emotion, confusion and where the stakes are extremely high.
I think, even though these are elite professionals, that some players might have a harder time coming back from their breaks than others. Who knows? maybe there are more determined. Take Amanda for instance… Sweden are out of the Olympics but does that mean she is going to carry some of that disappointment over? or does it mean she is very much fueled by it? These are some of the things I find so intriguing about the sport and the players.
This also applies to other clubs, of course, and they are all in and of themselves these tiny universes with intricate dynamic, processes and methods. They will also deal with players coming back, with different reactions to losses/wins and so on and so forth.
But if there is one manager that can cope with all of that is Emma Hayes, without a shadow of a doubt, so with that said, I expect Chelsea to be exactly where they left off and that is scary. Not saying I’m not confident, all the opposite actually, but what I’m saying is that maybe if they had any other manager I would say the break could potentially affect them more.
Yeah, they’re all human, I get it. There’s no reason why they can’t lose… I know that too, but believing those things is a different thing and oh man how I wish I could control how I feel sometimes haha. I just have a hard time thinking that Emma Hayes will be anything but PUMPED for this match at the Emirates, where 55K fans (at the time of writing this) will be there to watch, in her and the Chelsea players’s minds, a home team loss.
I, however see it the other way around. The ball will be literally in our court.
But first the Oranjeleeuwinnen need to beat Belgium tomorrow and I don’t know if I can sleep.
d ❤
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Good news
Earlier this morning I had seen a tweet updating us on DVD’s status. And although I cannot find the exact one or the source all I have is my memory and my account of what was said but basically it’s this:
It wasn’t a contact injury, her troubles were because of a cramp, so that is absolutely FANTASTIC news. Not only for the player, but for the team, the country and for all football fans because her being fit means that she would most likely play which in turns means that there is a much higher probability of The Netherlands winning because, and let’s face it, any team is just better with DVD than without.
And to that point, NL fell apart without Jackie, DVD and Dom. It’s an issue and there has to be options going forward, otherwise there is just not way their absence is sustainable. Yes this is something extremely concerning as it relates to the future of the Oranjeleeuwinnen but that is definitely a post for another day.
As far as WSL related stuff, I’ll be back to that in due time but follow https://twitter.com/SuzyWrack for the latest, and she’s also made comments about Karen Carney’s report being embraced by the government.
I wish I understood it more but I don’t. Gotta go literally hit stuff to make noise.
xo
d ❤
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Oranjeleeuwinnen thoughts
This was such an interesting match and it provided us with so many story lines, it’s to pick which one to follow, so I’ll do my best to let it flow and write as things come to mind, if that’s ok with you, thank you very much.
As I had stated yesterday, my first and main concern is the health of DVD aka my favorite player ever. I haven’t heard any updates on her and I was absolutely heartbroken and worried when she limped off in tears. That f*cks me up, hard and I don’t like it.
Obviously as a Dutch fan I have lots of points that I would like to talk about. Among them is the fact that I don’t understand why on earth we don’t play actual, natural defenders as fullbacks. Like I get Esme and Pelova being able to play there but they are NOT defenders. So, yes they have done great things and I’m not criticizing that at all, my point is that we need better DEFENDING, so for those thinking I have an anti-pelova agenda: not better defenders, I’m saying better defending. So how do you achieve that? maybe, just maybe, by playing actual defenders that play there week in and week out.
In my opinion when Pelova and Esme release the ball quickly it’s when they are their best. And in defense they seem, to me, to take way too many touches and they play in a bit of a naive and “young” way that I don’t think its suitable for these types of matches but what the hell do I know?
I’m proud of them both, they work so hard and they aren’t at fault for the result at all, make no mistake, that’s not something I’m remotely thinking about. I just enjoy having Merel and Casparij much more. Sorry not sorry.
I think Pelova has a huge role to play if DVD is out on Tuesday. Not that I think she can play the same position or do the same thing but at Arsenal she has been playing better than ever and I expect her to do much better in the middle of the park, since she’s just more used to that and has the bite and tenacity needed. She doesn’t have anything to prove to anyone and she needs to feel free and not be “the next” anybody. She is more than capable of being herself and excelling.
I still have confidence we will go through… I mean, we better! I cannot imagine this squad NOT being in the Olympics and with destiny being in our own hands, that is obviously a great place to be. Of course the weird rules and permutations make for an interesting narrative regarding England vs Scotland but that’s a whole different thing.
Speaking of different, England were a different side the second Beth and Alessia went in. A totally different side that basically shifted something in the strategy and mentality of England, and quite possibly of The Netherlands too.
The way they play, their hustle, their pressing, their positivity on the ball it’s just remarkable and it was a beautifully painful thing to watch. I much rather have them play for my team than against it.
Overall, even though this was a loss, the first half was fantastic and it was great to see Sherida and Jackie play well, Dom boss it and Jill do what Jill does… of course Lieke was on fire and Lineth… TAKE A BOW.
I have not felt less confident at all and I’m expecting us to qualify Tuesday.
yes I said: “us”
I feel Viv has a part to play. A big one yet.
d ❤
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Now that’s a football match
Game just ended and I’m still high on adrenaline. Unfortunately I cannot write much about it at this very second but I will try to summarize my thoughts later today so please come back and check if you are bored.
What I will say is that I thoroughly enjoyed the match but I’m extremely worried about DVD and her injury. That did not look good and regardless of the score, my only concern is her well being.
I’ll be back later.
A very subjective look into AWFC 