-
About THAT away kit
A few months ago I posted something along the lines of: if we get made fun of, we will deserve it. This was referring to the Stella McCartney collection and how ugly and terrible I thought it was. Even though my opinion hasn’t changed too much as far as the kit itself, I think out of respect for the idea and the symbolism of the shirt I should reassess some things.
First and foremost this kit is historic, regardless of the design. This will be an exclusive shirt for the women’s team, but I’m sure you knew that. This is incredible in and of itself and worth applauding since it’s not really done by anyone else, maybe ever. Once again, Arsenal FC are making strides and carving the path and don’t be surprised if many teams to this in the short term future. When they do, I’m sure they’ll be cooler though haha.
Among the reasons why I don’t like this shirt is because I don’t think anything about it, at all, screams: ARSENAL. There’s nothing there that makes me feel related to it or part of the arsenal culture, not the colors, nothing. I also understand its a design piece and that’s part of the whole thing. I respect it and at the same time I don’t love it.
I also don’t love the idea of pastel colors always being associated with women in a way but this a long and nuanced conversation that I am not prepared to have at the moment, but the point is that this is the away kit and it looks way better on the players than it ever did via those crappy photoshop tweets or the pics of the kit by itself. I LOVED the pink kit so forget anything I said.
But the real reason I don’t like it, has to do with the stripes. Not the colors. The stripes just bug my eyes out and I don’t like them at all mostly because I’m not used to it. And lest not forget: my opinion means absolutely nothing. As long as the girls like it and feel empowered by the kits who the hell am I to even say something?
Maybe it’s the emotion that is triggered by seeing Viv wear the kit that makes me more excited about it and I wouldn’t be surprised if I see it in person and change my mind completely and buy one.
d ❤
THAT ARSENAL WOMEN PODCAST on:
YOUTUBE
APPLE PODCASTS
SPOTIFY -
“New” Signings
I just watched a little snippet of a chat between Steph Catley and Caitlin Foord, which was fascinating btw. In case you haven’t seen it I encourage you to check it out here: https://twitter.com/ArsenalWFC/status/1707047908774674839
Anyway, they went over a few of the new signings and what they bring to the table, so to speak. Towards the end of this clip Steph talks about the injured players coming back and how they will be like new signings. And if you are of a certain age and you were also following Arsenal men during, specially, the latter Arsene Wenger years so will know that hearing anything related to “new signings” is borderline cringe worthy. Let me break it down…
Towards the end of Wenger’s tenure at our club, he had this knack of saying certain things that some of us in the Wenger Out world, would find very annoying and I’m paraphrasing here but one of those things he would say was how we shouldn’t buy new players or invest in the squad because the injured players would eventually come in a fell like brand new signings.
I guess he had a point for but kinda not? Like I get what he tried to do/say/mean but when it was said so many times, years after years, to sorta justify the lack of investment, it becomes very noisy to hear. But for the sake of my own sanity, I’m gonna go ahead and agree with Steph on this, and here’s why:
Our injured players have been out for so long that the squad has had to adapt in all fronts. Tactically, football wise and also as it regards to the missing players’s personalities when not around. There are so many intangibles but that’s not the point. This extended period of time means that other teams prepare a certain way when they face us and might see some predictable patterns or several ways they should approach the game, but it’s almost like when they get used to how we play, our injured players will come back and then it’ll be a jolt for the opposition.
Make no mistake, it will be growing pains for us as well, since I don’t just expect Leah, Viv and Beth coming in and the new players knowing how to play with and FOR them. But I tell you what… I CAN’T BLOODY WAIT TO FEEL THOSE GROWING PAINS because it will mean they are back.
In other news, and I mean this as kindly and respectfully as I can, but a certain defender from a rival club had a bad game yesterday and I hope it carries on into the weekend and every weekend thereafter.
A few more sleeps my friends!
d ❤
THAT ARSENAL WOMEN PODCAST on:
YOUTUBE
APPLE PODCASTS
SPOTIFY -
🦁 vs 🦁
If I could watch any international fixture in women’s football The Netherlands vs England would be it. This is literally my favorite matchup and the only reason I didn’t fly to Utrecht to watch this is because I didn’t know if Viv and Beth were playing and I didn’t want to risk it. Yes, I love every other player and I dream of watching DVD and Dom play in person but I couldn’t swing it. Also, as fate would have it, I have a recording today with a band I can’t tell you about. not because it’s incredibly massive but because they have a cult following and they haven’t released an album in over a decade and this is a big deal for me and my career so I would have had to cancel my trip to NL had I booked it.
A trip I did book was to fly to London to watch Arsenal Women play vs Villa at The Emirates so I hope to run into some of you there!
Anyway, this match is huge for you, huge for me, huge for NL and huge for England too. Not only is it going to be mostly household names vs household names which is lovely in and of itself, but it’s also going to have big repercussions in terms of the group. This last bit of analysis is the most basic and obvious thing but I just had to mention it.
I was absolutely convinced that NL were going to beat Belgium and beat them comfortably. I was clearly wrong. I don’t understand a lot of the things that Jonker does, especially staying with Spitse on the side while Damaris is there and also playing Pelova at right back but the biggest head scratcher for me is not having the best #10 the country has ever produced not playing as a free #10. But he’s the coach and I literally just hit stuff for a living. I know nothing.
I’m interested to see 2 dutch minds going against each other and seeing how they approach the game. Will Sarina to something different? I would bet NOT. What will the formation be? The same as last game. I couldn’t watch the lionesses play against Scotland and the only lineup reference I have is from an app and I don’t think Chloe Kelly played as a left sided wing back as the app suggests but I have no idea. My guess is that Daly played there and Chloe played alongside Hemp up top. Either way, that doesn’t matter really, since I’m assuming Sarina will do nothing new and use the exact same team unless there’s an injury.
My biased theory is that if DVD plays as a number 10 we can beat any team but since she’s doing a lot of work in the middle of the pitch with Jackie Groenen we are lacking a lot of her creativity and defense unlocking passes which are specially missing when Viv isn’t playing. So by that “logic” I don’t really know what to expect and I have never or will ever not think we have a chance. We as in NL because yes I say “we.”
NL need 3 points, mathematically and morally. It’s one thing to lose to Spain and another one to lose to Belgium, a regional rival etc. Not good for them and I truly believe they’ll be ready to face the other lionesses.
All in all I wouldn’t be surprised if England win but I don’t think it’ll happen which means it will.
d ❤
THAT ARSENAL WOMEN PODCAST on:
YOUTUBE
APPLE PODCASTS
SPOTIFY -
Will she start on Sunday?
The WSL season finally starts on Sunday! This Sunday… as in this week… OMFG… This is just going to be the longest week ever, isn’t it?? The tension leading up to the match… the story lines, the predictions, the unpredictable lineups… the checking on Chelsea to see if they lost.. all of it is back. Oh yeah, and how can I forget waking up at 3am is also back, every weekend, for the foreseeable future… and I bloody love it.
The off season has been fertile ground for so many thoughts. There are lots of thoughts as it relates to Viv, Leah and others but I have been wondering, since the day she got her injury, exactly when Beth will be back. I would bet my house that you feel the same way or at least share a lot of hope.
There’s nothing that would make me happier than to see Beth start on Sunday, against Liverpool, at the Emirates. There’s no need for me to expand on this because you get it. You have supported her, and hell, you probably were there when it happened. By the way, there are many layers to this of course, since she’s a big Man Utd fan and I’m gonna assume that playing vs Liverpool and beating them means a bit more than playing against other teams.
I will not actually make a prediction if she starts or not but what I will say is that if waiting another week is better, then we wait. Whatever is best for her, her recovery, her mental health is what I want. I have zero interest in anything other than that.
But my real question was relating to Laia Codina… will she start?? Will we see our badass CB partnership once and for all? I bloody hope so… I know we all loved Rafaelle and rightfully so but I’m hopeful that Laia, Amanda and Jen will get lots of playing time to figure out which of those 3 make the most ideal partnership. Maybe a back 3? Whatever happens I’m just ready to start the season and get another trophy this season.
I’m sure I’ll do a proper preview this week via podcast.
Enjoy your week!
d ❤
THAT ARSENAL WOMEN PODCAST on:
YOUTUBE
APPLE PODCASTS
SPOTIFY -
RIP MADDY CUSACK
As you might have heard, women’s football suffered a terrible loss. Sheffield United player Maddy Cusack passed away suddenly. I don’t know many details and I don’t believe there are lots out there honestly, but out of respect to her and her family and friends I felt I needed to at the very least pay my respects by mentioning her here.
Life is very fragile and short. Sadly these things happen and we need to use these moments to learn how to tell people we love, that we love them very often. We need to spread love, not hate and all of that stuff.
Take care of yourselves and I kindly challenge you to reach out to someone you haven’t in a long time and tell them you miss and love them.
d ❤
THAT ARSENAL WOMEN PODCAST on:
YOUTUBE
APPLE PODCASTS
SPOTIFY -
talkSPORT chat
Last night here in LA aka early morning in the UK, I had the privilege, honor and incredible opportunity to appear on talkSPORT with the great Martin Kelner. I talk about this often but in case you don’t know, I listen to that station religiously, every single day, and have done so for over 12 years. Its just a daily part of my life and to be able to be on a show, and not be the one calling in, was surreal.
I wanna thank my friend and host of The Highbury Squad Sophie Nicolaou for trusting me with this opportunity.
You can listen to my bit here: https://talksport.com/radio/listen-again/1695427200/1695432600/
But in case you can’t find in its under SCHEDULE and once you find EXTRA TIME with MARTIN KELNER, find the 2:30 am – 3:00 am time slot and you will be able to listen to me talk halfway through.
I tell you what, I was more nervous about this call than playing in front of 100k people. 😅🧡🤷🏾♂️
Beyond thankful for this opportunity to talk about women’s football in such a big station.
xo
d ❤
THAT ARSENAL WOMEN PODCAST on:
YOUTUBE
APPLE PODCASTS
SPOTIFY -
Nations League
This past week has been absolutely nuts for me (in a great way) and I have barely had any time at all to sit down and write any original content. Instead I have added value to your lives by reposting videos and articles from actual journalists etc… BUT! I am back today to, for the sake of balance, bring you back to reality and have you read random thoughts. And by the way, I would like to say hello and welcome to my new readers, whoever you may be and wherever, please know I appreciate you coming by, and much love to the OGs too, aside from my mom and dad of course.
In case this is your first time here please know that all of my opinions come from a very passionate, biased place and I don’t pretend to be an expert or legitimate pundit. My goal is to offer something different that what you normally encounter in the AWFC/WOSO space and because I’m a musician, lots of what I say comes from a prism that implies a different perspective than you might expect or be used to as it relates to women’s football. So again, thanks!
The music I’m working on and with the people I’m working with at the moment, is, to put it mildly: NEW. I don’t have much experience playing the type of music I’m playing and I’m not really in my comfort zone but this is actually something I embrace because it streamlines growth and expansion both musically and personally as well. I try to, as much as possible, seek out musical situations that push me and challenge me, but I have to say I also adore just playing what I like, how, when and with whom love. Not everything has to be a challenge and a push forward… sometimes its ok to just ride the waves. However, my days are full of change.
And speaking of change, some of us are familiar with the Nations League on the men’s side but it is here for the women’s game and it starts TODAY. I know how confusing this competition can be and I am not a stranger to this confusion but overall I think it can be a good thing, depending on squad rotation primarily.
Another serious competition will only elevate the standard of the game and it will allow us fans to see much more competitive matches played among some of the best teams in the world very often, with actual things at stake unlike the friendlies most of us disliked with a passion. But let’s be honest, I’m extremely worried about overplaying, traveling, no time to recover and I don’t mean it as it relates to Arsenal only but for these women as a whole and their livelihood, mental health and more.
The WSL hasn’t even started and our girls are already with their nations about to start ANOTHER tournament on the heels of the most watched World Cup ever. They didn’t even have time to rest and get acclimated back in whichever country they play in and have had to travel to who knows where and switch ON the international player mode. I don’t know how I feel about it but like with most changes in life, it’ll take time to get used to or even if it’s just to form an opinion, changes need time.
With that said, there are some incredible matches in group A, but I’m mostly interested in the Sweden vs Spain match. Not sure what to expect, what the swedes will do in support of the spaniards and so on. It’ll be a very interesting thing and it can potentially be a massive show of support and dare I say historic? I can’t wait to see what happens but sadly I cannot watch a single minute because of I need to play a tambourine.
Looking forward to seeing how the lionesses line up vs Scotland, and that fixture, in case you didn’t know, is the oldest rivalry in football and regardless of the level of the competition, age group, gender, etc… it’s always tasty and never ever a “friendly” so this is gonna be a good one for sure.
Gotta run! Have a great weekend and I’ll be writing this weekend and every single day as usual.
d ❤
THAT ARSENAL WOMEN PODCAST on:
YOUTUBE
APPLE PODCASTS
SPOTIFY -
KELLY SMITH.
Those are only two words that I need write or mention today. This is MASSIVE for the club. MASSIVE…
And sadly I don’t have time for much more BUT if all goes well I’ll be able to do a podcast at some point late tonight here in LA. In the meantime watch this:
https://www.arsenal.com/news/kelly-smith-returns-assistant-coach
d ❤
THAT ARSENAL WOMEN PODCAST on:
YOUTUBE
APPLE PODCASTS
SPOTIFY -
Leah transcends
I really should be writing much more about this and expressing specific things as to why I chose this title but sadly I have no time today. All I can tell you is that I can feel, just like you, that Leah Williamson is very special. There’s something about her and her energy that is unique and more powerful that any one of us can explain. I’m very happy she’s an Arsenal player and the present and future of our club, for as long as she chooses but I’m telling you now, Leah Williamson is going to become the most important player at Arsenal FC, ever.
You’re very lucky and I won’t take much more of your time but if you actually want to read a proper author, writer and journalist, please read THIS by the GOAT Suzy Wrack.
or copy/past this link.
d ❤
THAT ARSENAL WOMEN PODCAST on:
YOUTUBE
APPLE PODCASTS
SPOTIFY -
What more could women footballers want???
Can you imagine for a second what it would take to do a 27 hour long podcast? That’s not a typo, I literally mean twenty seven hours. That’s what my friend Gooner Mike did last week! His yearly pod-athon to raise funds to continue the fight against cancer was an utter success and he, alongside so many generous donors, Arsenal FC and more, was able to surpass his yearly goal already and has raised over 30k dollars! This is something so big and incredible and the amount of work that it took to put that together, all the guests, the segments, the topics, the auctions, the items donated, the laughs, THE ARSENAL SPIRIT.
I was lucky enough to be part of this event, on the closing hours as a matter of fact and I got a chance to talk a lot about Arsenal Women. This was not only an honor in and of itself which was only amplified by the fact that among the others guests were Kevin Campbell, Sophie Nicolaou, Alan Smith, Pete Drury, Jim Proudfoot, etc. Absolute madness. It’s all on YouTube and all you have to do is search for Gooners v Cancer.
YOU CAN ALSO DONATE HERE
At some point we spoke about, and I’m paraphrasing here, how the game needs to keep growing and growing and how the trolls, the haters, the misogynists, always seem to end up asking this: “what more do women want?” This question is so absurd and it lacks so much common sense and empathy that in my opinion, it has only one answer: TO NOT BE ASKED THAT QUESTION EVER AGAIN. Among the ridiculousness of that question is that these people would never ask that of men. No chance in hell they would. Plus, I just think that if you have someone in your life that asks that question its just about the biggest red flag there can be.
Not a lot of news to chat about today and I’m also knee deep in rehearsals and I’m not sure how I will be able to post this week but I’m trying my best and if I’m able to keep my daily posting streak going I will be very proud of myself haha.
d ❤
THAT ARSENAL WOMEN PODCAST on:
YOUTUBE
APPLE PODCASTS
SPOTIFY
A very subjective look into AWFC 