A very subjective look into AWFC

The idea of “deserving” things in sport, specially in women’s football, is a very tough thing for me. Overall I believe that all of the players in the women’s game deserve happiness, joy, success, trophies and so on. There are so many circumstances in which we can say: “she deserved a goal at least” or things of that nature and even though it’s impossible to gauge, our opinion of who deserves what, since it’s an opinion, can be valid.

But there is one thing that I am completely sure of. Something that nobody could convince me otherwise. Something that can be harsh to hear for some and I hope that most people agree with me: When our players use those Stella McCartney shirts, we will absolutely, unequivocally, completely and thoroughly deserve every single insult, joke and criticism of it.

I thought it couldn’t be worse than the previous one but they have outdone themselves.

If you think I’m going to post a picture of it here you’re absolutely wrong because I would never do that to you. You can just go on twitter and find it for yourself but it’s pretty terrible.

I get the idea of it being a collector’s items or even a warm up situation but to play matches in?? I hope this is not the case because it would make it very difficult to watch.

Also, I’m not only talking about the colors and design but the pattern itself makes me eyes bug out and its not pleasant.

Happy Sunday though!!!

d ❤

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Hey friends!

Sorry but I don’t have time to write anything long today, but to keep with my daily posts, no matter what, here’s a lovely interview that Shebahn did with Beth.

d ❤

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In case this is the very first time you come across me, probably the main thing you should know about is that I love the orange leeuwinnen. They are the reason why I love women’s football and they are the reason why I love Arsenal Women. DVD, Viv, Dom Janssen, Van Veenendaal and last but not least, Jill Roord.

I loved watching Jill at Arsenal, I was really bothered by the fact that Joe never used her properly but he rarely used DVD properly so it shows ummm something. Anyway, as you all know Jill moved on to Wolfsburg to follow her dreams of wining the Champions League. However after a few years, where she won plenty, she couldn’t achieve that specific goal. A goal which is basically most footballer’s goals, and a goal that dew people get to achieve. So, why the f*ck is she getting so much criticism over that? Ah… it’s because people need that because it’s easier to criticize someone that look in the mirror and audit their own life status, I suspect.

She has now come back to the WSL to play for Manchester City. A team that is not in the Champions League, but she still signed for them. Yet people have the ovaries to hate on her and make fun on her? Umm like what the hell?? She is joining an elite team, with incredible players, who will no doubt be in contention for trophies. What else do you want her to do? Why do you care? Why do her choices matter to you? Why do you get pleasure from her “failing”? What do you know about success? What do you know about overcoming failure?

I have zero issues with her whatsoever. I like her a lot, always have and always will. I even saw someone say that she “never felt the arsenal colors” hahahaha what a load of nonsense. It’s silly and laughable.

She’s stellar, she’s won more trophies than most people who criticize her have kicked a ball in their entire bloody lives. Jill Roord doesn’t owe anything to any AWFC fans. Get over yourselves. No player ever has to justify x decision just to please you. They are elite and have designed their lives to make whichever decision fits them. When was the last time you spoke to her? Also, would you ever say anything like what you tweet to her face?

I wanna see these so called journalists that would interview her back in the day call her what they’re tweeting about to her face. But we all know it won’t happen.

d ❤

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This whole Alessia Russo transfer situation has been very interesting on many fronts and in my opinion not necessarily for good reasons. I’m not talking about her transfer in literal terms, there’s nothing uninteresting about that at all, it’s massive in every which way. What I’m talking about though, is what awfc and woso twitter had become recently and specially this notion that people had about having some sort of inside info… Where to being with this?

Everyone claimed to know what was happening and when. I find it extremely funny and silly that people were going on about this transfer as if it wasn’t the most well know, worst kept secret… EVERYBODY KNEW SHE WAS SIGNING right? I mean, we almost got her in December and it was a thing that most people knew. For the record I’m not actually saying that I personally knew for a fact, my point is that it would’ve been more of a surprise if she didn’t sign. I was totally convinced it was only a matter of time.

Some people were tweeting about it as if it was a long shot, or a crazy idea that they championed above other people… and sorry but nope. You didn’t come up with this theory, it was a well known thing. A lot of people are taking what some personalities adjacent to the club say and not only do they believe it, which I don’t blame them for, but they behave as if the person they got the info from doesn’t have a massive following on social media. It’s madness.

It is very possible that people have inside info… I have known about Declan Rice for months, but that doesn’t mean that my info was correct… I just had a very reliable source and it just so happened to become a reality. But imagine how silly I would’ve sounded if I said something like: I’m hearing some rumors about Declan Rice to Arsenal…etc” Yeah… no shit!!!! That’s been a thing for MONTHS. I understand people trying to feel some sort of power or relevance on Twitter but let me tell you now, that platform is basically dead and you have to realize that at the end of the day, social media or not, you are you and your integrity and professionalism need to be there with you.

There are tons of accounts and bloggers that are very irresponsible. They know they have a following and treat them like minions to spread their message around and people buy into it hook, line, and sinker. They don’t question them, they just believe it all.

Be someone who questions, who debates, who has their own opinion. Some are not only taking their word fully but they retweet the same things, post the same general idea… we see you.

d ❤

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This post kinda feels like a continuation of the last 2, and even though I’m not trying to beat a dead horse 🐴 ☠️, I am certainly here to talk about it simply because it hasn’t been addressed, but my friends, I’m very concerned if I’m being totally honest. Obviously this is just my opinion and I totally understand if few people agree with me, but let me explain.

What the girls achieved last season with that depleted squad was absolutely insane and it was heroic. I couldn’t have been more proud. I also believe that the reason they outperformed all expectations was precisely because the squad was depleted. In other words, some of the players had the added pressure and motivation because they had to stick together and overcome adversity and the unfair nature of life. They did it.

I just don’t think its sustainable in the short/medium/long/any term to have a CB partnership without Leah Williamson and Rafa, which is clearly impossible now. We are buying strikers, but we need more defenders, for sure. In other words, there’s no way anyone can convince me that we stand a true chance with any permutation that doesn’t include Leah, Jen, Steph or Lia. I know many people love LWM but I don’t think she is anywhere near being our best defender, but I do think she can be our Xhaka in a way, as in a different position might suit her very, very well. Like I’ve said many times, I think she would be better used in midfield than as CB.

If Amanda is our new Rafa, we need someone to cover for Leah still. I haven’t heard rumors but I truly hope this position is addressed. I still want players like Alex Greenwood. Do I think it will happen? I have no idea. I’m not a journalist and I have no inside info. And btw this is a topic that I will have to address at some point. The madness around the Russo signing and how twitter has become this mad place where people claim to have inside info when they have all been following one of two accounts and repeat what they say and do. It’s pretty wild actually and kinda silly all at the same time.

Anyway, gotta go!

No podcast this week and I’m pretty sure I am quitting YouTube after all.

xo

d ❤

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Hi.

Yes, she signed. Duh. The most known about and worst kept secret is out of the bag. Awesome.

But one thing I wanted to talk about today has only a little bit to do about her. This is something that I’ve wondered for a long time and I would love to know your opinion about it because I care about what you have to say.

One of the best sources for anything and everything Arsenal Women related, are these accounts that do video edits. We all know them, we all love them, and live for them. The oranje leeuwinnen have them, the Matildas have them, and so on and so forth. The amount of work these people do to find the videos, download them to their devices, edit them, post them, share them and all that its absolutely insane to me. Not only because of the amount of work that it takes but the selfless attitude behind them as they really don’t get anything from this, actually. I mean, yeah their accounts are well known and that might be enough but what I mean is that there isn’t any financial gain.

So again, I love them, they keep me informed and it’s lovely.

My questions is, how is any of this a thing? That footage doesn’t belong to them and there are clear rules and regulations. Now, its important that I explain that I am not implying that it shouldn’t be allowed. That’s not what I’m saying at all. My shock is that they aren’t shut down quicker. I’m glad they aren’t, trust me!I also feel that all their hard work and effort can just be taken away at any moment and there’s no really way to back up all the following. Plus Twitter is basically crashing and burning and that’s like THE place for the woso community. It’s helped It grow so much, precisely because of accounts like the ones I’m talking about.

If you are one of those accounts: thank you.

I also understand why clubs and leagues shut them down. It’s all weird.

d ❤

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I cannot believe that in what seems like a blink of an eye, I have posted 100 blogs. Of course, this is only and exclusively thanks to you, kind, smart, good looking reader. I truly appreciate you being on this journey with me. And honestly, one hundred. posts seems insane. You have put up with my subjective opinions, my redundant thoughts, my love for players that aren’t at Arsenal anymore, like 5 posts about McCabe and much more.

I was kinda hoping that to celebrate the milestone we would have concrete news about Alessia signing for the club and since that’s not happening today, I don’t think, we’ll just have to wait. Seems like it will likely happen this week, not because I have sources but because that’s what virtually every single journo and outlet is saying. This will be a massive, massive moment for Arsenal and I am so ready.

Another thing that I’m ready for the season to start, Jesus Christ. 😂 I’m not even kidding.

I do look forward to the World Cup and I’m gonna be talking about the dutch squad a lot because of the 3 former Arsenal players that will be involved.

The thought of thinking and speculating about who plays where is pretty nerve wracking but what the hell, here’s how I would line them up as on now, if they were all fit:

Manu

Noelle. Leah. Amanda Steph

Kim Lia

Beth Viv McCabe

Russo

I mean, this seems like the easiest and safest bet but who the hell knows what will happen.

Have an amazing week.

d ❤

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I think it’s safe to say that forwards are the most important players in a team. This is not me trying to be obvious or make this arbitrary claim. Tons of pundits, players, analysts and fans feel this way… you need goals to win games, forwards are specialize in scoring goals. Yes they need service and all of that but as far as many people are concerned, you need goal scorers.

At the moment we have EIGHT players listed as forwards at Arsenal, and as per the order they appear on the website: 1. Beth 2. Viv 3. McCabe 4.Hurgit 5. Ford 6. Gio 7. Stina 8. Jodie. That’s bananas. As far as midfielders go, we have just FIVE. Just for reference, the men’s squad has 5 forwards and 9 midfielders. Not comparing, just for an in-house reference. So, if we assume Jonas still wants that many forwards, let’s take a look at whom I would move on, kindly and respectfully. With the arrival of Cloe we now have 9 forwards and of course the, hopefully, impending arrival of Russo means 10 forwards, so who stays and go goes?

My preference would be that Jodie Taylor, Gio and Hurtig are moved on, and I hate implying that someone has to leave and all that emotional stuff which you know I care about, but this is me trying to be as objective as I can, which is hard. I don’t think I need to justify my opinion as that would basically mean I would criticize them or point out certain things, and I don’t want to do that. Mostly because I have a terrible memory.

So, if them 3 move on our forward line would be chosen among:

1. Beth
2. Viv
3. McCabe
4. Russo
5. Foord
6. Cloe
7. Stina

This is pretty damn great if you ask me. So, to answer the question in the title of this blog: NO, we don’t need more forwards, we need fewer and better ones.

Where I do feel we actually need bodies is in midfield. Kim and Lia are on a whole different level, Frida has been stellar and that’s where we need help. We need players that are much closer to their level than we currently have. Those 3 can’t start every match forever, and the players coming in need to offer a lot.

Curious to know if this will be addressed as aggressively as with our forwards.

d ❤

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I am ridiculously late to a thing with some people about a thing that I can’t tell you about… just kidding, I’m late to my first ever pickleball tournament, wish me luck. But the reality is that I don’t have any time at all to blog and I should be doing this. I will expand on it later BUT:

I want to see more of Teyah this season. I’ve been impressed from what I’ve seen and I think she’s a better option than many believe.

chat later

—

OK I’M BACK and guys… we won the tournament! 😢 😭 😢

Anyways, back to what actually matters.. aka AWFC and more specifically, Teyah.

Like I was mentioning, every single time I’ve watched her play I have been very impressed. But the thing that has me very excited about this upcoming season as it relates to her ACL injury and recovery. Not only as it applies directly to HER and HER recovery and so on, but also it’ll give us another look as to how players recovering from ACL injuries carry on. I know we have seen it with other players but I wanna see how we deal with it now.

Among the craziest things about Teyah suffering that horrific injury was her age at the time. As far as I understand it, that injury happened last year while on loan at Watford, when se was only 18. That’s insane. I can’t wait to see her in action more and more and I truly believe that she is a more complete player than LWM and might be the true “one of our own” player that the club needs to really push and support like with Leah, etc.

d ❤

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Oh yes…This just keeps getting better and better. I have wanted to get this specific set of news for a few months and as per usual, I woke up expecting nothing really and then instagram/twitter made my day. I case you don’t know what I mean, the news is that Jen Beattie signed a new contract and this is huge for numerous reasons. Really quickly, for anyone that isn’t familiar with her, she is a hero, a fighter, a footballing legend, an MBE for Scotland and she is a cancer survivor. WATCH THIS

Having her experience, her leadership, her attitude and her personality at the club is logical and common sensical. I love it and we’re a much more solid club for that. But let’s just talk about her actual football talent and abilities. It’s almost as if some people have forgotten how good she really is. She might not be the fastest player and she isn’t our first choice center back but she is, in my opinion, who needs to be our first name on the list after Leah and Amanda. With that said, the pecking order of CBs, for me, should be, those two, Teyah and LWM, who I still believe should go out on loan. And honestly I think that she would be better used in midfield.

Beattie is one of those players that offer the cultural glue that any club needs. She is beloved by everyone and she is part of our DNA. I honestly feel so very flipping happy for her too, with a new contract meaning income which will continue to allow her to expand and grow, as well as continue working with the club in different capacities as we all know.

Symbolically I think this is a way for Arsenal to say: yes, we are buying new players but we are the Arsenal, we are Jen Beattie. We are keeping the fiber, the foundation and the core, and by core I mean heart too. Of course it’s important to look forward and be dynamic and all of that stuff, and I certainly think we can do that while keeping players like Jen and changing things up among players that either haven’t made a positive impact, or that have made not such positive impacts.

Bottom line is that I’m happy and and I’m also relieved she didn’t join any other team because I would’ve not be able to handle it.

I don’t expect news over the weekend so the next 48+ hours are going to be brutal. Wish me luck.

d ❤

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