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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 ❤
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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 ❤
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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 ❤
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Versatility
This past Saturday I had a gig I will never ever forget. I’m usually behind the drum set or playing percussion but the reason why this gig was so very special was because it was my first one as a bassist. I have been working hard on this instrument for about 5 years and I was finally able to play live. The experience was vastly different than any other performance I’ve ever done.
The pressure was different, my role was different, the place where I was on stage was different, the way I heard the music on stage was different, my interaction with the crowd was different… and at the same time the energy has to be the same, my ear has to be present, my mind as well and all the all encompassing elements have to be there. The respect for the crowd, remembering song structure, etc etc etc. It was very eye opening and allowed me to approach the days before the show, my preparation and my expectations in a completely different way. It felt so fresh and new and different.
On Sunday I taught a bass lesson and I was explaining to my student how it all went and since he’s a young football player I tried making the comparison of a player that has to play in a different position and what the parallels are. That within itself was eye opening, coming from the perspective of someone who had just lived something similar hours prior.
I think we’ve all become so used to the idea of players playing out of position that we have lost sight of just exactly how difficult it actually is. Regardless of the reason… it can be because of an injury or just tactics, but it takes a very special type of person to play well in different positions. Even within the role of a 6 for example… playing as a left 6 or a right 6 are totally different things for most players and it takes a special person to truly succeed, in my opinion.
Most teams, specially in the women’s game, have players that are versatile and can play in many positions and AWFC is not different in that regard and if anything we could be using this to our advantage even more that we currently do, maybe.. maybe not? Maybe we should have the best player possible for every position and not rotate positions but specialized players instead?
I have no idea and that’s why I hit drums for a living.
d ❤
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No CL, No Earps?
When I first read the tweets and heard the rumors about Mary Earps signing for us, I had a mixed bag of emotions. Part of me doesn’t like her, and others absolutely adores her. My first reaction was: is she better than Manu? Do we actually need her? How would she impact the dynamic of the current squad?
I certainly have a very clean opinion about the first question: I’m not sure but yes? I care so much emotionally about Manu that I might be blinded, but judging by the awards, the international success, the plaudits… Mary Earps is the best keeper in the world, although I think Endler is better. So I guess YES.
To try to answer the second question I think sadly it would mean what you already know: that I’m an asshole for not liking some players everyone loves… and maybe because I have seen very little of her I don’t quite rate Sabrina, but this means absolutely nothing. Just because I haven’t seen much of her doesn’t mean that she isn’t good at all and I don’t remember a single moment that she let me down so this kinda answers my question. But if its a matter of a great keeper that hasn’t been doing anything wrong or the best keeper in the world, then you’d think its a no brainer.
BUT
Only if it will affect negatively the overall vibe of the squad and that is very important. Notice I said negatively because it implies it didn’t or wouldn’t work out. Sometimes you need a jolt, a change and s shift and arsenal men are doing it, literally hours ago with David Raya, who replaced Ramsdale for the match at Goodison Park.
My guess is that it would affect the squad in the best of ways. With a MASSIVE personality, and shit housing expert, a top, top, top performer PLUS it will weaken Man Utd, a club that is very unstable at the moment and if we manage to pull this one after Russo, it’ll make up for whatever has happened or will happen between the clubs. Ok not really but kinda?
One thing is for damn sure, these plans have to have been impacted even in the slightest way, by the lack of CL football. We need less rotation, we can use Sabrina for the odd cup matches here and there but it’s tricky to see how this will develop when I feel there’s clear need for a goalkeeper update.
d ❤
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Short one today
Friends, as I was sitting down to write this I was informed that my soundcheck today was moved by a few hours and I basically need to leave right now. But as always, I want to write every single day, without missing one. As an exercise, I’m just gonna write about whatever I come up with as I type this and what is coming to mind is how I have a very clear idea of what I would like the team to be with the current players we have aka no Viv, Laura or Leah.
As it stands I think I would like to see a 4-3-3 … Manu on goal and Steph and Noelle as full backs. I wanna see Amanda and Laia as the CB pairing and right in from of them Lia with Kim and Kyra running the show. McCabe on the left, Caitlin on the right and Russo 9. Yes, no Frida for now.
I totally get people loving the Catley/Foord down the wing thing but I would rather have McCabe start if that means foord on the left.
Sadly I really have to go!!!!!
I’ll write more tomorrow.
d ❤
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Aussies Rule
I know that there were a lot of things to choose from and this is precisely why I feel this is meaningful to me. If you were to ask me for one takeaway from the World Cup I would have to say (excluding DVD and Dom Janssen) The Matildas. They were nothing short of magical, historic and heroic. Among the things I loved about them was how set their team was and how everyone seemed to play at a very high level, with energy, humility and palpable gratitude.
Of course our girls shined.. Steph and Caitlin were as reliable as it gets and both had stellar competitions, just like the majority of their fellow starting 11, and maybe with the exception of Ellie Carpenter, it’s my humble and biased opinion that Cooney-Cross was the standout player. She pulled strings, she tackled, she NEVER STOPPED RUNNING. I think she’s the exact type of player and the exact player we could use. I think she’s gonna compliment the team extremely well, bringing different qualities that I feel are only going to add value to Kim, Lia and Frida. She has great ball control and her decision making and football IQ is closer to Kim/Lia than I think people expect. She’s the real deal.
Having a few players of any one nation has always been cool in my book. Different cultures, different experiences and dare I say different eras wink wink, since it’ll continuously change. There was a time when Dutchies were click, so to speak, and these Aussies, aside from just being from Australia duh, these players have lived something unique that doesn’t come along often and that bond can only benefit us as a club like I mentioned yesterday.
Would’ve loved to see Mary Earps but things seem to point at that being a reality real soon and that’s way sooner than I thought. Usually the windows feel farther apart than they are but I’ve never wanted a transfer window to start sooner than this one in 3 months time.
October 1st can’t come soon enough.
d ❤
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How good was our transfer activity?
The summer transfer window is closing in a few hours and if I had to summarize our transfers during this summer I’d grade it as 7/10. If I take a look back at my summer transfer wishlist, none of the players I wanted were bought, which doesn’t mean anything at all. I was hoping for Mapi Leon or Alex Greenwood because I thought they would be unreal additions to the team beyond their ability on the ball. I thought we should get Beth England as a forward option and as far as our midfield I would’ve loved to have seen Deyna Castellanos or my #1 transfer wish: Denise O’Sullivan.
Jonas clearly doesn’t read my blog. Although I did mention loving the idea of Russo and we got her. And that brings me to the overall assessment that we did really well. Not getting the players I thought I wanted is totally irrelevant. The 3 players that come in, and a potential 4th, are massive every way you look at it. Two of the best defenders in the World Cup, one of the best forwards on the planet, who is so young still…
I do think we need a world class keeper to rival Manu and another midfielder. Without Viv or Leah, just having Lia, Kim and Frida as solid, established options might be too lite. Kuhl is the future but as far as the present I think the potential of KCC is incredible. I have read the tweets but nothing has been confirmed as I’m typing this. Just like the rest of the world, I thought she was phenomenal at the World Cup and she would be a great addition, especially with Caitlin and Steph already her and both whom I suspect will have a massive part to play this season due to their acquired experience this summer. Their lives changed forever and I feel Arsenal will benefit beyond words.
To be fair, the lack of European football means less matches and it might be a way of coping still, but I’m fully embracing just focusing on the WSL and the domestic cups. I have come to terms with that reality and I am fully behind this team in any competitions they’re in.
Thanks for listening to the podcast! The latest episode has been one of the most downloaded to date!! Pretty cool!
d ❤
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BARBIE FC
After months of trying to but not being able to, I finally had time to actually go to a movie theater for the first time since well before covid. Typing that sounds absolutely insane but I don’t remember the last time I had done it. My wife and I had talked about going to the movies for a while but we wanted to wait for a perfect time/movie/occasion. Like most of you, I have been surrounded by Barbie reviews, comments, tweets, posters, ads etc. I have loved everything I had heard about it, it was intriguing and I just couldn’t wait to watch it. But I have to admit that at first I didn’t want to watch it on the big screen, just because I assumed that it was better so heard loud explosions or basically John Wick or The Equalizer, but OMG i’m SO happy that I opened my mind.
The movie was incredible. It surpassed any expectations I had. It was insightful, powerful, funny, beautiful to look at, amazing music and how can I not mention my favorite band HAIM having a song in the movie? Everything about it was phenomenal. And… you guessed it, I thought about Arsenal Women. And before you assume that all I do is try to fit AWFC into everything I do, which is not wrong, I need you to know that I look for inspiration in them to be a better person, to grow, to expand and to be as empathetic as I can.
Barbie had so many lessons and I think a lot of men should watch it and if they don’t like it, they should. I consider myself to be very sensitive and sensible and I was so awakened by the messages, the insights and my wife’s reactions. Also loved my conversations with her when it was over and how we saw many things the same way and also how we can’t possibly see it how the other one see’s it. And this is what made me think of Arsenal Women. The fact that no matter how much I try I could never understand what its like to be a female footballer, with as much hate as the sports gets, with as much adversity and negativity, and sexism and misogyny in 2023 when it’s supposed to be the best it’s ever been.
Anyway… the videos and images from the camp over in Germany look amazing. Smiles all around and I absolutely love that. What I would also love is a couple of signings and they need to happen as soon as possible so they integrate in the team and we can focus on the WSL that can’t start soon enough!
d ❤
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Mindset Monsters
The ability to recover from a heartbreaking defeat is something that I will always be impressed by. Impossible to state all the reasons but one of them is the fact that it jolts my mind trying to comprehend the exact moment when something goes wrong and the totality that is getting to that point in the first place, by taking into account every single experience that got us there. That duality of thought is so challenging to comprehend that I don’t even try because my head would explode.
This past Sunday I played at my second ever pickleball tournament. My partner and I worked a lot, played a ton of matches the weeks before and overall felt very confident. We got to the club very early, with plenty of water, snacks, all of our gear was on point, including yours truly wearing a DVD Netherlands shirt. All the teams met up and we heard about the rules and the courts we were using. As soon as we realized something weird about the format my mind just got distracted. I hadn’t even hit a ball yet and I was thinking about how the format could not be advantageous for us.
But we started great… beat 3 teams in a row, we were flying… both of us playing really well, confident, solid, communicative. Then it all went to hell. We played a couple who wasn’t anywhere near as good or strong as us but we took the foot off the gas and played too clever and ended up losing by 1 single point, which is part of the format change that we didn’t like. Normally you have to win by 2 points and that is what we are all used to, so mentally we weren’t ON. I sure wasn’t and thought we could get another stop, but we didn’t. We went on to have a 5-2 record, tied for 3rd and we thought we could get a medal but the tiebreaker was a head to head situation which meant, and you guessed it! the team we lost to ended up beating us for 3rd.
It sucked. We felt so defeated, in every way. We did have so much fun and had no expectations and all that great stuff but we would’ve liked to win. We played GREAT and got nothing, but we learned a lot and I loved every single minute of it.
But when I got to my car, the first thing I thought about was our AWFC girls. And I wasn’t feeling sorry. This isn’t about “oh those poor girls had to suffer REAL defeat” hell no… they are elite, incredible mentality monsters. Of course I don’t want them to suffer, ever but what this pickleball situation showed me, not that I needed proof, how far advanced these women are. I was bummed for days, still am actually. Every time I think about it I wanna scream into a pillow.
There is not doubt in my mind that the girls will come back stronger, better, smarter and more focused. Until it happens again and the process repeats. There’s no giving up and if they don’t give up, the ones that actually do the work, how the hell are WE going to give up on them from out couches?
d ❤
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A very subjective look into AWFC 