A very subjective look into AWFC

by Demian Arriaga

PODCAST

  • Big Wednesday

    Depending on when you read this, the girls will be playing Bayern either today or tomorrow. Either way, regardless of space and time, it’s safe to say that said match is the biggest one of the season to date for many people, and I kinda regret saying I thought so. I’m not really sure if it’s the biggest match honestly. I got carried away.

    I think the match vs city was more important because of any and all reasons, specially those related to Viv. That match had an outcome that I can’t really complain about and also, had we won, we would be in a better position but that is the most obvious and laziest bit of analysis ever. Like wow… if we had won more points we would be better off… thanks Einstein.

    The good thing about tomorrow is that we are still in the running and nothing guarantees that we will automatically lose against a first placed team in the group stages. Anything can happen and if you’re already writing the girls off I’m here to offer some perspective and tell you that with our squad, minus a player or two, we can beat anyone.

    Now, I can’t just say that and not explain what I mean so I’m just gonna go ahead and say it… Caitlin Foord is not the player most people thinks she is. Just because someone gets tons of touches and is very involved in the match doesn’t mean that “she had a good game” FFS look at the lost balls, poor crosses and her unwavering belief that she can run past people and/or through them. If we play Lyon, Bacha will have her for lunch and dinner.

    While I’m at it, a friend sent me a tweet about someone saying that KCC, Pelova and Manuum were the best midfield in the world…. My god… they aren’t even the best trio at Arsenal’s bench. Anyway, this is not to put them down, just chatting about squad depth and it just isn’t there to reach a semi or the final but you know me… I’ll always have hope and I’m more excited about Lyon or Barca than an “easy” team.

    I get that they’re not at The Emirates tomorrow but I think this might be an advantage actually. I say this because it’ll be a packed house and also fans haven’t been there in full in a long time so maybe they want to make up for lost time of sorts.

    I plan on fully enjoying the match regardless of the result because we are qualified to the next round and I didn’t think that would be a thing before Renee took over.

    One last thing… and I get that people love Renee and want to give her the job full time, and I kinda do too, but we have to remember a manager does much more and they have to be one of the faces of the club, with the right charisma, transfer strategy nous, etc etc etc.

    Check out Wenger’s autobiography on audiobook. Unreal insight.

    d ❤

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  • We got our Arsenal Women back

    Things feel right. Everything feels right. To see the girls smiling again is truly priceless and I’m extremely happy for them. These smiles have come with six wins or vice versa… unreal run and may it continue… ALSO it’s just what the players deserve.

    The performances have been fantastic. Solid in defense, lots of goal scorers, reliable midfield etc. Also, specially and maybe exclusively last night, we didn’t get to see Emily Fox, Leah, Steph or Beth. They were all in the squad and were rested and you and I know how important it is for there to be as much rest as possible.

    Good to see Mariona play deeper as well and she did fantastic as we all know she does and can do and will continue to do. KCC was also good, but I can’t help but just wish I could see Kim and Lia back asap and having Mariona deeper will also be a great option alongside them.

    We all got our Spotify wrapped and all that good stuff and I also got a bunch of stats about my podcast aka That Arsenal Women Podcast and I am just overwhelmed with gratitude. I appreciate everyone that has listened and still listens even if I barely post.

    Somedays I want to stop and others I want to keep going because I feel my content is different than a lot of what’s out there and wish I could do more and more often but I do see a world where I shift to The Highbury Squad more and more.

    I wonder just how many times I’ve posted about this very thing and it might be one of the signs of the end of an era for me, but I’m not sure yet. For now, I’ll continue writing as much as possible.

    Next week’s match against Bayern is by far the most important match of the season so far and if the girls beat them they will be TOP of the group and avoid some big hitters but maybe staying second would mean not facing Barcelona but either way I still think Lyon are the best team in the world.

    d ❤

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  • Ok, so when???

    No permanent manager news but that might just mean we will give Renee the job permanently and I would be more than happy with that to be honest. Yes, I wanted Casey Stoney and also wouldn’t be mad if we do get her, however, I wasn’t really considering Renee as an option because it was my understanding that she did had no intentions of taking the job full time due to personal and family reasons.

    I was chatting the other day with my friend and she mentioned how in her opinion Sarina Wiegman, Emma Hayes and Sonia Bonpastor are the top 3 female women’s football managers in the world and I totally agree. And I brought up that since they are the top 3 and none of them manage Arsenal Women it means, by default, that we do not have a top 3 coach.

    That is simply not good enough for Arsenal, I get it and I would agree. Yet, Arsene Wenger was also not a top 3 manager in the world and he shaped and changed our club forever, more than any other manager and btw if you haven’t please read his book. It’s incredible and it’s also available via audio book, narrated by him on Spotify, etc.

    I am willing to give Renee time and if it’s the full season then so be it. I like what I see for the most part and there are things that I don’t understand such as never playing Rosa and always playing Caitlin… this just isn’t my vision for the future and certainly not for the present.

    Either way, it would be cool to know WTF is happening haha

    d ❤

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  • I still remember…

    In early 2008 I did my first long tour playing drums for a guitar player I grew up listening to. It was an incredible experience and I got to see close to 20 countries, if not more. It was then when I went to my dream country aka The Netherlands, but even though the trip was an utter success, I was kinda bummed because it hand’t taken me to London. Fast forward close to a year, we were back on the road and this time London was on the route, and so were about 10 different cities in England and Scotland. It was incredible.

    A couple of days ago I was going through my laptop and I found a playlist that I had created for that part of the trip. It included songs by The Clash, The Buzzcocks, David Bowie, Editors (with whom I have a crazy story for another day), Jamiroquai and Bloc Party among many. Bloc Party was on heavy rotation for me at that time and even though Silent Alarm is a great album, I always kinda just listened to “I Still Remember” from the album Weekend in the City.

    The moment I found that playlist my FotMob app went off letting me know that the NWSL final was starting in 15 min. I am not really a fan of the NWSL and the only matches I watched this year were of Bay FC to see if Jen Beattie was playing. But this match was important to me for 2 reasons.

    One of them was hoping that Rafa would get a trophy, after an UNREAL start of the season and specially due to her getting injured and spending so much time on the sidelines. I Still Remember Rafa, all the time, and I hoped she would get a winner’s medal and she did.

    Another reason was to see Marta win a trophy, and again: she did.

    A bonus was watching Jen get her recognition for all the hard work she does and receiving the 2024 Lauren Holiday Impact Award. It’s a big deal and I love that for her because she has sadly not gotten the minutes she deserves and I don’t mean that because of who she “used to be” but because she still has the brain, the legs and the stamina.

    I think some Arsenal fans and AWFC fans have this blind love for the club and think that we are the end all be all of football. We aren’t. Life takes many turns for many people and sometimes the best thing that can happen to some players is leaving Arsenal. And that’s ok and this is something everyone can think about, should they choose to, or not. But what we cannot forget is that no matter how much you love a club, if you don’t love other things about it aka the manager, or whomever, then working in that situation is really bad.

    Going back to the tour I did, when we went to England. I remember how incredible it was to work with that guitar player. The crew was amazing, etc but I didn’t really gel with the bass player and it was actually pretty painful most shows were I think I told myself I was enjoying it out of gratitude more than actually enjoying it truly and authentically at that moment in time. And that weird dynamic made me consider my future.

    Anyway, I hope you’re all doing well. Miss writing but I also have to tell you that I’ve been more productive than I have been in about 10 months and I made it a point to spend the same time that I assigned to writing this blog to other things and it has been a game changer.

    I still remember this blog, and you remember how corny I am. Much love.

    d ❤

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  • Juve matches

    There are certain European fixtures that mean more to me than others. Anytime Arsenal, women or men, play teams that have meant something to me in the past is something that I appreciate, I value and really enjoy. Juventus is a team that holds a special place in my heart for several reasons, none bigger than being the home to Edgar Davids for so many years.

    These next two matches the girls have vs Juve are obviously crucial mathematically as it relates to their continued participation in the UWCL, but to me it’s much more than that. It’s about the confidence, the mentality and what I assume is something along the lines of them feeling like they can prove to the world that they have what it takes to progress and the only think holding them back was the former manager. And OMG does it feel good to say that. Good riddance…

    Even though I personally would like to see different players in certain positions, I have to say that Rene having what seems to be like “her best XI” is so refreshing. I didn’t think Foord or Frida should start and look what they did!!

    So, whoever plays is somewhat irrelevant for me at the moment because we’re getting the results and we just have to get through the international break and then the real transition will take place but I’m super happy with the way things are.

    Ljungberg doesn’t get ANY credit for being such a important bridge between Emery and Arteta, and I think Rene is saving our season because we’re still within a realistic shot, based on math alone.

    Clearly we don’t have a permanent manager appointed, but there’s one thing I’ll say.. For whatever reason apparently Casey Stoney is not the main target for our club. It’s irrelevant if I agree with it or not but please appoint a WOMAN.

    One of the things that I always go back to is that the same fans that say that she isn’t good enough are the same ones that said, for YEARS, that Jonas was indeed good enough, and look at where this got us.

    Anyway, the match is about to start. Xo

    d ❤

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  • A little patience

    Here’s the latest podcast

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  • A whole new world

    When I tell you I haven’t slept this well in a long time I would be lying to your face. I sleep well all the time. I can sleep anywhere, at any time, almost on command. I can sleep on a plane, on an uber, watching tv, right after a nap, right before a nap. Sleep is not an issue for me. So trust me when I tell you: I know sleep. With that said, the past two nights have allowed me sleep much more peacefully than in previous weeks.

    If you have read any of my blogs you might gotten to the conclusion, rather quickly, that I can be a total douchebag, specially when it had to do with the criticism towards the now (yay) former manager. So in that vein, I will say that I’m not surprised at the outpouring of “sadness” and support of many people, pundits, podcasters and other folk. I get people in the media being very political and diplomatic but my reality, to not qualify it as “the” reality, is that I have zero sadness in my heart nor do I forget the things I felt and what I saw and what I know. Good riddance. This doesn’t negate anything he achieved, doesn’t negate his talent, doesn’t negate that he’s a great person. What I’m saying is I’m not like everyone else, sorry. Buh bye.

    Now, onto the match real quick. Without a doubt the most important thing about it all was Lina Hurtig coming back. We are so in dark about everything that she has been dealing with and that is more than OK with me. Whatever she needs, at whatever time, I’m proud of the club for supporting her, understanding her and ideally providing whatever she needs, and with that said, I will express my respect and gratitude towards the former manager because he FOR SURE had a say in this decision and for that I will always be thankful.

    I’m sure I sound crazy and biased, but the team looked like a new team. Alessia was fantastic, Caldentey was amazing… seeing Kim and Lia in midfield was lovely as ever… everyone just looked great.

    But if I had to pick one thing to point out in which I felt things have changed, it’s that when we let that goal in, I was not worried or stressed for a second. I didn’t doubt the girls at all, not once. I had full and infinite confidence not only that we wouldn’t let another goal in, but that we would score, and we did.

    You know, I was thinking that if you showed both a random recent match under the former manager and this match to someone totally ignorant of the drama, etc, what they would think. I was curious if they saw or felt what I felt but there are so many variables and feelings attached that I couldn’t even start to answer, all I could do is go with my feelings and I felt this was a whole new team and they are entering a whole new world.

    I am so very proud of every single player. All of them. We have turned the page and they are the authors of the next chapter, THEY are. Not some man. A squad full of historic women.

    d ❤

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  • A lovely daaaaaaaay

    You play stupid games, you win stupid prizes. We played the very stupid game of choosing THE FORMER MANAGER (I’ve been waiting months to say this) over Viv and here we are. At a not so ideal place, with morale down, in a whole in the league. But now that he’s gone forever, we can all breathe a sigh of relief, specially the players, and move on with optimism and hope. Gratitude towards the former manager for the trophies, and some great moments and also thank you for leaving, specially. I also don’t buy for a second he chose to leave but if I were to play devil’s advocate and believe it I’d say that’s a big choice and big move and I respect that.

    In case you haven’t heard my latest podcast, I spoke on there about why I’m very hopeful as it relates to our squad and the season to be quite honest and among them is that the girls are sooooooo very close to clicking and they aren’t playing badly, so a new manager, with new energy etc can help the process along much more effectively and moreover, it’s a big deal that this is happening right now and not later in the season.

    You’ve read my constant criticism, you’ve heard it too… so not only am I thanking you for putting up with me but I also need to say how much I respect the club for this decision/situation. It happened, they made or allowed the decision and it’s a pretty huge deal honestly. I’m proud of the club and I’m happy we can just move on as quickly as possible and again, I’m just so very happy for the players.

    Apprehension and anxiety and uncertainty are part of it all and I totally understand how everyone might feel and how we all have different and strong opinions. They are all valid and I can see why folks wouldn’t want Casey Stoney for example, someone I rate very highly. My choices are beyond the on the pitch related things so I have a different perspective than some. But to the footballing point… people say Stoney is too defensive… ok and? Why is that a band thing? Have you seen what a solid defense does to a team in more ways than one? Do me a favor… but again, I get it.

    I get not knowing who Renée Slegers is, I don’t know anything about her and I’m a dutch football fan. All I know is that she is NOT Jonas and I cannot begin to tell you how good this feels. Will we regret it? No. In life you make decisions and you learn. You take accountability and you learn. You lose some, you learn some.

    After 4 male coaches, it’s about time that we have a female manager. It’s criminal we haven’t had one and it’s about damn time.

    I will never get over how we chose this person over Viv, over Beattie, over Jordan, over Vicki, over Mana… absolutely insane but again, let’s move on. But also I can’t believe it. hahaha.

    Going back to Renee. This is one of the beauties of the world we all love aka football. Very few people will know about her but she might be the most incredible person and we just aren’t in the know, no matter how many podcasts we listen to, no matter how close to the club we think we are. I sure don’t know anything about anything and I think sometimes people forget that Arsenal is a 2.2 Billion dollar entity and we are a drop in an ocean of money and also in an ocean of history and pride.

    Also, my good friend just posted this:

    What a lovely day, my friends!

    d ❤

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  • It’s time…

    Here’s the latest episode of That Arsenal Women Podcast

    d ❤

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  • Highbury Squad Ep #2

    d ❤

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