The Gooner: Women's Edition - Season 2024-25 - Issue 3
THE GOONER FANZINE: WOMEN’S EDITION COVERING ALL THINGS ARSENAL WFC
SEASON 2 - ISSUE 3 | SEASON 2024-25 - £5
LAYTH YOUSIF - FREDDIE CARDY - JAMIE SPANGHER - LIBERTY SIMONS - DAISY GOODHAND - LAURA HOWARD - LUMI LEHMUSKALLIOJOSEPH ROSEDON - LILY YOUNG - SOPHIE PUODZIUS - ISOBEL GILLIGAN - SUZY LYCETT - WITH ART FROM RUTH BECK & MIA SILVER
CARDY’S COLUMN
Really proud to be a part of history in our inaugural print issue 2
GOONER SOCIAL
Collection of the best tweets 4
LEAH WILLIAMSON
Interview with our very own Leah Williamson 6
PRESS BOX DIARIES
Behind the scenes following Arsenal as a journalist 10
ISOBEL GILLIGAN
From pregnancy to returning to play, the Amanda Ilestedt journey 12
JAMIE SPANGHER
How Steph Catley is crucial to the Arsenal defence 16
LAURA HOWARD
On being a part of the Arsenal family 18
SOPHIE PUODZIUS
The versatility of the squad under Renée Slegers 20
SUZY LYCETT
Pictures from the No More Red game against Bristol City 22
LUMI LEHMUSKALLIO
The international Arsenal commiunity
24
RENEÉE SLEGERS
Renée Slegers on her background and her style of management 28
LIBERTY SIMONS
The breakthrough season of Kyra Cooney-Cross 32
JOSEPH ROSEDON
How Arsenal Women is for everyone, and the importance of inclusivity 34
Are Arsenal complacent when it comes to transfers? 42
STAR SUB
Our very own Jamie Spangher answers questions - Part 2 45
Artwork Mia Silver, Suzy Lycett, Ruth Beck, Sergio Braga-Mullin
LAYTH’S TAKE
Hello, and welcome to the first-ever printed Gooner Fanzine solely dedicated to Arsenal Women FC, and the women’s game. We passionately believe there is genuine demand for a print version of our Arsenal Women’s only digital fanzine.
Following on from the success of our two digital issues this season, on the back of more than 150,000 AWFC fans and supporters of the women’s game reading our pilot edition last year, we decided to take the plunge and publish a printed version of our AWFC magazine. It’s certainly a gamble given how challenging the situation is regarding printed publications everywhere.
However, as a journalist who has covered Arsenal Women for many years, I’ve seen first-hand the incredible growth in the women’s game - it’s been as heartening as it has been impressive. The fact is we are convinced the demand is there on AWFC matchdays, especially at the Emirates, for a quality printed publication dedicated to Arsenal Women.
So, as part of our commitment to top quality content, we’re absolutely delighted to feature interviews with AWFC boss Renée Slegers, Leah Williamson and Alessia Russo here in our printed pages.
As mentioned during my interview feature with Leah, so much has changed since I first interviewed her back in 2017. Yes, there is still so much work to do, but the progress has been impressive during those eight years.
Lycett, Laura Howard, Lumi Lehmuskallio, Joseph Rosedon, Lily Young, Sophie Puodzius, Isobel Gilligan.
I’d also like to say a special well done to Mia Silver, whose utterly brilliant image of Slegers’ takes pride of place on our front cover. Thank you, Mia.
It also promises to be an exciting spring full of hope for the club under Slegers’ leadership, and the Gooner will be covering AWFC every step of the way, with our ever-growing coverage.
We’ve been so busy getting this print edition over the line - and we’re so excited about sharing such outstanding quality work from incredibly talented Arsenal writers, photographers and creatives - led by our brilliant AWFC editor Freddie and packed with our squad of outstanding AWFC writers and creatives, including our superb photographer, Suzy Lycett.
Heartfelt thanks go to our production genius Serge and editor Freddie, without who, there would be no AWFC Gooner Fanzine. I’d also like to say a big thank you to all who have contributed to this ground-breaking print issue. I’m so very proud of everyone.
The full squad list: Freddie Cardy, Sergio Braga-Mullin, Jamie Spangher, Liberty Simons, Daisy Goodhand, Suzy
I’d also like to thank those who have backed this project, without whose support we simply couldn’t exist, including Richard Smith and AISA, as well as Raymond James Hitchin, and Jeremy Bradley’s JB Utilities, specialists in saving businesses money on their electricity and gas.
I’d also like to say a big thank you to all our loyal readers, without who there wouldn’t be such a large, and ever-growing audience for our work – your incredible passion, loyalty, knowledge, good humour and outstanding backing for AWFC is always so heartening to see from the press box and the terraces and stands. Long may it continue.
Most importantly I’d like to say a massive thank you to my wonderful partner Faye, without whose love, understanding and encouragement I simply couldn’t continue to keep pushing the Gooner Fanzine forward.
We hope you enjoy our latest issue as the Gooner Fanzine continues to grow its acclaimed coverage of Arsenal Women.
Why not like/follow us on our Facebook page Gooner Fanzine (which has smashed through the 100,000 barrier already), and follow us on X/Twitter, Instagram, and Tik Tok @ GoonerFanzine to keep tabs on our extensive daily coverage.
Come on you Gunners Layth, editor-in-chief @laythy29 Layth Yousif @laythy29
Cardy’s Column
Hello,and a warm welcome to the first ever print edition of the Gooner Fanzine exclusively dedicated to Arsenal Women. That’s a sentence I hoped to write ever since we published our first online fanzine last season, but I never thought I’d be writing it this soon.
And you, the reader, are to thank for that. Without your interest, engagement and overall positivity for our coverage, myself, Layth and our brilliant production guru Serge would never have been able to seriously moot the idea of taking this issue to the printers.
So to everyone who messaged, tweeted or asked if we might look to go print at some point, here’s your answer!
The Gooner has been published in print since 1987, 17 years before I was born. As a kid, I remember hearing cries of “Getcha Gooner” during my first trips to the Emirates and my dad telling me about the fanzine.
In 2025, I’ve had the privilege of helping edit an issue of the Gooner Fanzine, and a trailblazing one at that. I’m immensely proud.
It’s funny, because without the aforementioned demand from Arsenal supporters for a print issue, we would never have considered putting this together. But knowing over 50,000 fans will be at the North London Derby in mid-February, and observing the hordes of loyal Gooners who follow Renée Slegers’ side over land and sea, the decision was made for us.
And yet, in the same week we were putting the finishing touches on this material, a certain radio presenter whose surname derives from a type of nut was keen to remind everyone that nobody cares about women’s football.
It was a rather unprompted attack too, a rude, condescending criticism, trying to present his bigoted opinion as factual.
What is remarkable to me is that by promoting the women’s game, no harm is done to the men’s. But fragile-minded individuals still shout that women’s football is being rammed down their throats.
You know what ramming down throats looks like? A 50-year ban on the women’s game.
Nobody is trying to ban men’s football, nobody is trying to lessen it. I’m told people only go to women’s games because the ticket prices are so low, and that it’s more familyfriendly. Oh, and it only gets strong viewing figures because games are on TV.
How dare women’s football have the audacity to be affordable and appeal to a broader section of society? The cheek of it.
So let’s not engage in these arguments, nor rise to this gaslighting rhetoric. Because attendance records and impressive TV figures don’t lie. The facts do not lie.
I truly believe that the publication of this very fanzine is proof of where the women’s game is at in 2025.
Onthe familiar drive to London Colney, I pondered how long it was since I first interviewed Leah Williamson at the club’s training ground. Turns out it was eight years.
Since then, all has changed, changed utterly.
“It’s been crazy,” Williamson tells me when we meet. “I don’t think anybody could have predicted it - or at least not at the rate at which it’s happened.”
Put simply Williamson has changed society.
Changed the perceptions and experiences of so many people, in so many ways, on so many different levels.
The engaging Williamson, a deep thinker on and off the pitch, has been part of the vanguard that has completely altered the face of the sport for an entire generation of girls.
“I’m very proud to be at Arsenal,” Williamson says emphatically, adding firmly: “I think the way that they’ve handled the changes and the support that they’ve given to us - there’s things to learn from, I’m not pretending that it’s perfect, it’s not.
“But I think we’re very lucky with the people that we have in place in the higher up in the club and how they’ve managed our transition, like as an individual club and amongst the transition of the whole women’s game.
“I think it’s great for us to see because I think, and correct me if I’m wrong, but like you look
at the US, when I was a kid that league would blow up and then it would fold and there was never any sustainability to it.
“I’m just glad that I can’t see that here. I don’t fear that at the minute, which is great for the game - I think the most exciting is yet to come.”
According to the FA, 75 per cent of schools now offer pupils equal access to football in PE lessons, and that there are more than 70 Emerging and Talent Centres providing a genuine pathway for young girls to become professional footballers, by channelling girls into Professional Game Academies.
Progress and achievements that stem from Williamson and her cohort pushing for change - from politicians, from sporting bodies, from society, while acting as successful role models.
Williamson says: “Arsenal playing 11 games at the Emirates is fantastic, but there’s no point in us doing it if other teams aren’t - and I think
Leah Williamson speaks to the Gooner Fanzine’s editor-in-chief Layth Yousif on relentlessly
Layth Yousif @laythy29
“I want to be in front of that crowd - I want to hear North London forever”
other teams are also doing an amazing job as well - you go down to Bristol City in the Championship as an example, I know that there’s more out there.”
Through the tireless support of Williamson and her Lionesses, and so many other unsung heroes at grassroots level, the numbers of women’s and girls’ teams have increased exponentially - 1,500 sides alone were registered in the aftermath of Sarina Wiegman’s side lifting the trophy in July 2022.
Ah, the Lionesses And All That.
Apart from playing with distinction in the red and white for more than a decade, now in front of crowds that are bigger than many Premier League attendances, the likeable Williamson was the face of the Lionesses back when 14.4m people watched the Euro 2022 final at Wembley during that glorious summer.
Which also gave us arguably the most iconic image that English football has produced this century, namely Chloe Kelly ripping off her shirt and whirling it around her head after scoring the winning goal against Germany. (Kelly was to join Williamson at Arsenal on loan from Manchester City only days after we spoke.)
Passionate advocate Williamson says: “As an England team also we have a great responsibility of growing that and what it did for women’s football in general, the Euro 2022 win, is why people still keep talking about it - because such progress wouldn’t have maybe happened in the way it has done if that didn’t.
“So, I’m very grateful to be a part of this generation. I’ve seen both sides and when I say I’m not the nicest to the kids, that’s another thing where I’m like, you’re so lucky and I’m so happy for you, but you’ve got teammates that used to work two jobs or used to do this, so enjoy everything that you have - but just don’t waste it.
“I don’t want them to not have it, I just want them to use every aspect of it that they have - they should end up being ten times better footballers than the people that we are today because of the support that they now have, but they’re great, not that they don’t do thatit’s good to know where we came from.”
Williamson and her team also forced the FA to reevaluate their prize money structure, when demanding a bonus just like the men are given, while being one of the faces that actively promote the product that has seen a multi-million-pound broadcast deal arrive.
That’s without the unprecedented revenues
generated by the arrival new converts to the game - the Deloitte Football Money League revealed that women’s elite sports will proceed $1.1billion across 2024 - some of it also generated by record numbers of people watching women’s sports on TV in the UK, nearly 50m during 2023.
Williamson explains: “Standards can be a lot higher across the game, but I’m happy with how we’ve been treated at this club, and you’re never going to get it perfect because tomorrow is unknown, no one knows what’s going to happen in the next month, next year.”
Williamson, more than most, knows a lot can happen on and off the pitch in eight years
I reported from the fateful match at Leigh Sports Village in the spring of 2023, when Williamson suffered a serious ACL injury against Manchester United that ended dreams of captaining the Lionesses at the 2023 World Cup in Australia, when Wiegman’s side reached the final in Sydney.
When more than 7m people in the UK woke up early to cheer on England 10,000 miles away during their memorable semi-final victory over hosts Australia.
Yet, just like her cultured style on the pitch, Williamson gave herself options off it during her enforced year away from the game.
During her time out she dabbled with fashion, learned to play the piano, while also giving notice she intended to continue her accountancy studies - not to mention coauthoring a children’s book with her cousin.
All the while, Williamson was also a gimleteyed professional, knuckling down during that dispiriting long road back to full match fitness, showing vast reserves of character, and earning huge respect from all in and around the game, to emerge as one of the older heads in Renee Slegers’ side.
And, it must be said, remaining steadfastly loyal to the club, her club, when enduring
I’m happy with how we’ve been treated at this club, and you’re never going to get it perfect because tomorrow is unknown, no one knows what’s going to happen in the next month, next year
a joyless spell under the previously underwhelming - and underachieving head coach - Jonas Eidevall.
The reward for this campaign appears to be the exciting prospect of a run deep into the Champions League, after Arsenal were drawn against Real Madrid in March.
Williamson previews the prospect. “You get excited to go and play away when a team has great fans, you look at the Champions League and see who you’ve got - and you look at that and you’re like, ‘that’s quality’ - that’s what you want to be in.
“So yeah, I think for those of us that have [played in front of] 200 people and 500 people, it doesn’t go unnoticed.
“I appreciate it.”
Surveying the immediate future, with a nod to the number of changes in kick-off times due to unprecedented interest from broadcasters, Williamson says, with the merest hint of selfdeprecation: “It’s incredible and it makes you very excited.
“I’m terrible, I don’t know, kick off times… I don’t really know who we’re playing, you know, it’s more, I’ve just always been that way of looking at things.”
However, Williamson does understand the North London Derby.
“I know that we’re playing Spurs at the Emirates on February 16 because I’m excited about the prospects of what that game is,” asserts the proud Gooner, as the club gears up for a 60,000 Emirates sellout in this match for a second successive season.
“I want to play in that game, I want to be in front of that crowd,” Williamson asserts.
“I want to hear North London forever - you know what I mean?
“With that many people singing it, it’s special - so for a player that’s 100 per cent a draw”
Relentlessly breaking barriers, boosting standards, raising expectations - like so many things Williamson has done in the last eight years, her knowledge, drive, expertise and passion will positively reverberate for generations to come.
PRESS BOX DIARIES
Press box diaries: An En-Joieable Sunday as Arsenal beat Manchester City 9-4
Freddie Cardy looks back on Arsenal’s games against Chelsea, Bristol City and Manchester City.
Sunday, January 26: Chelsea v Arsenal
I let out an audible sigh as I sat down to reflect on this game. I do enjoy going to Stamford Bridge, with the press box situated right behind the two dugouts. The food was good too, the DJ much less so.
One thing that struck me immediately was the sheer number of journalists there. The press room was absolutely packed, which was fantastic to see and be a part of. I wondered on the train down if Arsenal against Chelsea might just be the biggest club game in women’s football? Quite possibly.
After record signing Naomi Girma was unveiled by the home side, swapping San Diego for a miserable afternoon in west London, the game started at a hundred miles an hour.
Arsenal never really found a foothold in attack and Chelsea’s substitutes made the difference, Lauren James adjudged to have been fouled by Kim Little, with a penalty ultimately separating the two sides. Let’s not mention Katie McCabe’s moment of madness with referee Emily Heaslip.
However, I thought Renée Slegers spoke superbly in her post-match presser. A mixture of honest comment on the game, and the penalty, as well as handling the frustrating McCabe red card with appropriate decorum.
It was her first defeat as Arsenal boss, and there was the sense that the Gunners weren’t too far off Sonia Bompastor’s side, even if the league table would suggest otherwise.
Wednesday, January 29: Bristol City v Arsenal
I always enjoy sharing the experience of somebody’s first Arsenal game as a journalist, as I can still remember mine as clear as day.
After countless numbers of games, it’s easy to lose those memories and take some matches for granted, so I enjoyed having Isobel Gilligan alongside me for her maiden voyage in the Meadow Park press box. (You can read more from Isobel on page 12).
And also, having a partner there simply means less work for me! Isobel took care of player ratings and some post match reaction, so I found I could actually watch more of the game itself, which I really appreciated.
A couple of early goalkeeping mistakes saw Arsenal race into a lead and the Gunners never looked back,
Freddie Cardy
Stina Blackstenius and Beth Mead netting braces as Renée Slegers’ side brushed past the Robins to reach the FA Cup fifth round. (You can see a selection of the best pictures of the night, taken by Suzy Lycett @boodlepim on page 22).
Slegers was in a customary good mood after full-time too, joking with me after answering my questions having noticed how cold I was (freezing, as ever), and it was great to speak to Beth Mead as well, who spoke in glowing terms of Amanda Ilestedt after the Swedish defender returned from maternity leave following the birth of her first child.
Sunday, February 2: Manchester City v Arsenal
A 6am start for a 12pm kick-off saw me yawning my way through the Etihad Campus at about half past nine in the morning, probably the earliest in the day I’ve arrived at a football ground.
City may not do hot food at the Joie Stadium, but a cheese and pickle sandwich went down a treat, essentially eating lunch and murdering a few cups of tea at 10am.
The best thing? The club provide a selection of pickn-mix for journalists to choose from, with the little eggs particularly good.
I have to say a big thank you to Arsenal’s communications team here. Myself and two other journalists (one of them also covering the Gunners specifically, coincidence?) had been told that due to lack of space in the press box, we would be watching the game from the screen in the Joie Stadium’s media theatre.
Thankfully, Arsenal’s comms people kindly gave up their press box seats for us, and I was able to commence with all of the usual coverage. And what a game! Seven goals, including one inside about 40 seconds, and Stina Blackstenius with her customary winning goal against Manchester City.
‘Same again at 4:30, please!’ I joked on social media, referring to the upcoming men’s game between the two sides. And did they deliver too. I was back in Derby and made it to the pub to watch our final four goals. Arsenal 9, Man City 4.
AMANDA ILESTEDT’S JOURNEY PREGNANCY, RECOVERY, AND RETURN TO PLAY
Isobel Gilligan delves into how Arsenal handled Amanda Ilestedt’s pregnancy, and the Swede’s success returning to the pitch in February
“We have something that is not footballrelated, but it is going to affect us… but for a really, really, really happy reason.”
With those words in a team meeting last March, then-Arsenal head coach Jonas Eidevall shared some unexpected but joyous news.
A picture of Amanda Ilestedt holding her ultrasound scan appeared on the screen, and within seconds, the room erupted in cheers. For Arsenal, a club known for breaking barriers in women’s football, this was a moment of celebration, but also the start of a new journey.
Ilestedt was Arsenal’s first pregnant player in over a decade, meaning both she and the club were stepping into largely unchartered territory.
While the FA has clear guidance on the support clubs should provide during pregnancy, specifically regarding maternity leave and wages, the reality is that elite players choosing to have children and then return to professional football remains rare.
Isobel Gilligan
@isobelgilligan
Many clubs have never navigated this process before, and those that do often learn as they go.
For Arsenal, one of the top clubs in the women’s game, handling this transition properly would not only impact Ilestedt’s future and the future of their own players, but serve as an example for others.
Arsenal’s Approach: Prioritising Support and Performance
Arsenal’s Stories of the Season YouTube mini-series dedicated an episode to Ilestedt’s journey, offering a behind-the-scenes look at how the club supported her throughout her pregnancy. It gave an insight into Ilestedt’s adapted training sessions as well as the thoughts of those around her at the club.
Physio Emma Saunders spoke about the performance team’s excitement at working through this challenge, describing it as an opportunity to set a standard in women’s football. Their primary goal was to ensure Ilestedt felt supported in all areas, while maintaining the level of fitness she desired.
To achieve this, Arsenal brought in well known pelvic health specialist, Emma Brockwell, (@physiomumuk) a leader in her field, to tailor a personalised plan for Ilestedt.
Pregnancy places unique demands on an athlete’s body, affecting everything from core stability to cardiovascular endurance, and Ilestedt’s programme had to balance safety, and long-term performance.
According to Saunders, Ilestedt’s professionalism made a huge difference. “She was amazing to work with,” she said
in the documentary, whilst also stating that Ilestedt understood that it was a new process for everyone and was incredibly receptive to changes along the way.
A Carefully Designed Return-to-Play Process
Arsenal’s lead Rehabilitation Strength and Conditioning Coach, Eoin Clarkin, revealed that the club had already conducted research into post-pregnancy athletic rehabilitation, meaning they weren’t starting from scratch.
Regular meetings between the medical team, external specialists and Ilestedt helped develop a carefully structured return-to-play process.
Clarkin stressed the importance of Ilestedt learning to understand her body, and not push herself too far to succeed in returning to play.
The club created a return-to-play framework, which can be used in the future, but also highlighted the importance of remembering the individual and adapting accordingly.
They employed a phased approach that changed through the trimesters of Ilestedt’s pregnancy reducing contact and intensity where needed in order for Ilestedt to rebuild
strength, avoid injury and regain match fitness at the highest level.
Speaking in Stories of the Season, Ilestedt expressed her gratitude for the club’s handling of her journey “I feel like I have the support around me and feel happy I can continue to do the stuff I love”.
I think showing that this can be the norm and that you can have a baby if you want to have a family and then you can come back and be a footballer again… it’s very positive
The Return
After months of careful preparation, Ilestedt finally made her long-awaited return to the pitch against Bristol City, coming on as a substitute.
Fans in the stands provided an amazing reception and sang her name as they watched this significant moment unfold and saw the Swedish defender return to her beloved sport.
After the game, Ilestedt’s baby girl joined in the celebrations and team pictures, a perfect reminder of the family atmosphere that Arsenal has built. But what did her return mean for the squad? And what do her teammates and manager think about her journey?
Manager Renée Slegers and teammate Beth Mead spoke to The Gooner Fanzine about Ilestedt’s journey and what it has meant.
Slegers: “This Can Be the Norm”
When asked about Ilestedt’s long-awaited return, and how important it is for Arsenal as a club to have gone through the process, Slegers was full of praise:
“I think showing that this can be the norm and that you can have a baby if you want to have a family and then you can come back and be a footballer again… it’s very positive,” Slegers told the Gooner.
She went on to discuss the lack of previous research in the field and the challenges this posed to Arsenal’s process:
“There’s not much studies being done, there’s not many examples, so we had to figure it out a little bit.”
Slegers then highlighted how the club’s medical and performance staff played a crucial role in making Ilestedt’s return such a success.
She was complimentary of Ilestedt as well, saying “Amanda herself has been very professional and engaged… and we are very happy for Amanda that it’s gone so well.”
However, she noted that in the past, players at other clubs she has worked at have come back, and it hasn’t always been so smooth because “you can’t really predict the body after such a big happening”.
Slegers finished by saying “I’m very happy for her,” crediting a combination of Ilestedt’s hard work and her body’s positive response to recovery as factors in her success story.
Mead: “It’s Very Wholesome”
Teammate Beth Mead told The Gooner what she had enjoyed about the process.
“It’s very wholesome for us as a team,” Mead reflected.
“We are not just footballers, we are mums, we are daughters, we are different people off the pitch”
She shared how Ilestedt’s presence in the squad, alongside her baby, has brought a refreshing perspective and that Ilestedt bringing “her little girl in every day” gives the players “a little bit more normality instead of 24/7 football, which is nice”.
Her praise of Ilestedt’s hard work in getting “back into the position to feel good enough to be in the squad” is a testament to the sense of unity and togetherness within the team.
Final Thoughts
Ilestedt’s journey back to the pitch has been such a huge success story. But it is not just a personal triumph - it’s a statement about what’s possible in professional women’s football and a celebration of the powerful and strong nature of women’s bodies.
Whether coming back from injury, pregnancy, or any other life-changing event, the camaraderie and support within Arsenal’s squad and the club itself continues to raise the standards for others.
Amanda herself has been very professional and engaged… and we are very happy for her, that it’s gone so well
SOUTH EAST MELBOURNE TO NORTH LONDON
Itall started on the backstreets of south-east Melbourne, where Steph Catley picked up the football for the first time. Starting her career at East Bentleigh FC, it’s safe to say that 6-year-old Steph Catley had no idea just how big of a star she would become.
With the popularity of Aussie Rules, rugby, netball and cricket at large across the nation, football was always an afterthought in Australia.
Catley, like most of her current Arsenal teammates, started her career playing for a boys team, before making the move to Sandringham FC at age 13.
2009 was when Catley would make her first debut in the A-League (then W-League) starting for Melbourne Victory at just 15 years of age.
What many don’t know is that Catley commenced her senior career as a midfielder, before making the move back to defence two years into her time at Victory.
The defender would go on to play with the Navy side of Melbourne for five years, before switching over to City rivals in 2015 upon the club’s inception.
It was at Melbourne City where Catley was a part of the super-team that swept up four W-League Championships and two W-League Premierships between 2015 and 2020.
Throughout her City tenure that saw her dominate domestically, Catley spent several seasons on a dual-registration agreement with the NWSL. Signing for Portland Thorns in 2014, Catley registered 14 starts in 15 matches during the third-place campaign.
A tenure in Florida was next for her, earning a NWSL Defender of the Year nomination for her 2016-17 season with Orlando Pride.
Prior to the start of the new year, Catley was traded to Seattle Reign where she spent the duration of the 2018-19 campaign.
Jamie Spangher on Steph Catley’s footballing journey, and the defender’s impact on her own
Jamie Spangher @jamiespangher
A statement move to England was next on the cards, as Catley put pen to paper in north London in the summer of 2020. The move wasn’t just one that would raise the ceiling of her career, but a heartfelt ode to her beloved grandfather George who grew up following Arsenal from a young age.
Catley’s reliable role in north-London over the last five years has not gone unnoticed, however her mainstay involvement in the WSL often means that many forget about the genuinely generational impact she has made on the growth of the women’s game back in her home nation.
Breaking the fourth wall now, I will never forget the feeling that ran through my body when Catley stepped up to the spot to take the winning penalty against the Republic of Ireland at Sydney Olympic Stadium in 2023.
I was standing in a merchandise line an hour before Australia’s opening game of the FIFA Women’s World Cup, gasping down at my phone when the news broke that Sam Kerr was injured and wouldn’t be playing for the foreseeable.
Casual football fans were panic-stricken, but the thought of Catley donning the armband was something that brought me a large sense of comfort. And when 80,000 home fans erupted as her penalty flew past Courntey Brosnan, you could see why.
Truth is, Catley is a figure that has flown under the radar for the last decade. At times when Kerr is far from her best during major tournaments, Catley has led the squad with integrity and a pure love for the shirt.
The same can be said for her Arsenal tenure, playing with loyalty and love for the cannon that she wears over her heart.
Passion is the biggest word I could use to describe the legacy that Catley will leave behind when she hangs up her boots in years to come. Wearing the number 7 shirt for club or country, many would presume a young kid selects such a digit to emulate the likes of Cristiano Ronaldo or David Beckham.
For Catley, the die-hard St Kilda fan wears number 7 to follow in the footsteps of her favourite Aussie Rules player, Lenny Hayes. It’s down to earth, it’s loyal, it’s Steph Catley.
Throwing her head in the firing line against Manchester United in front of a record-breaking Emirates Stadium crowd last season summed it all up. Preserving Arsenal’s lead even when it meant being taken from the field with concussion- Catley is a Gooner.
Loyalty, love, and passion- Steph Caltley.
HOME AND (FAR) AWAY
NorthLondon forever, whatever the weather, but what about when I go home?
From the terraces of Broadfield Stadium in Crawley among the travelling Arsenal support, an a cappella rendition of Louis Dunford’s ‘The Angel’ floats out from the away stand and fills the stadium.
As I stand among those supporters clad with Arsenal scarf and innumerable thermal layers, it is like being wrapped in an all-embracing hug of belonging.
In the sea of red and white, no words are needed to know that on that night, in that stand, you want the same thing as the next person and in that knowledge, you can simply be.
Of course, there’s the anxiety about events on the pitch, accompanied by the collective
angst as another chance goes awry, but there’s a comfort in knowing that the person next to you feels the same.
But what if I have no claim to call that borough we sing about home?
For me, Nottingham is home - where I grew up, where my family is from and where I return for the holidays.
Many in the football world would dismiss any allegiance to Arsenal and duly suggest that I should be butchering Paul McCartney’s lilting tones to sing about mist rolling in from the Trent in an ode to Nottingham Forest’s City Ground.
So why then does Louis Dunford singing about places I had never been until I was 13 and on an Emirates Stadium tour, bring a sense of belonging not quite like any other?
The red side of North London is a home away from home for many fans, including the Gooner Fanzine’s Laura Howard
Laura Howard @laura_hwd
Arsenal Women attract an eclectic mix of fans that span not only England, the British Isles or Europe but, indeed, the world.
An unmatched history of success paired with their recent remarkable commercial reach means the club has formed a fanbase that stretches far beyond the London Borough of Islington. And for those outside it, it creates a conundrum of identity to grapple with and a feeling that we need to prove our right to wear the cannon, whether through self-doubt or upon interrogation from sceptics.
Why do you support Arsenal? If the answer to that question is not, ‘it’s my local club’ or ‘because of family,’ that innate belonging that you carry comes under external threat.
For me, the answer returns to Nottingham where I was taken to see my first match as a five-year-old. I attended the FA Cup final between Arsenal and Charlton Athletic at the City Ground, witnessed greatness in the form of Kelly Smith, Alex Scott, Rachel Yankey and co and walked away a Gooner.
I’m sure it’s a familiar tale to anyone whose football origin story crossed the path of a side that reads as a women’s football hall of fame.
When you cheer together and when you sing together, sharing that same joy, that belonging is created
Since then, the entry points to Arsenal Women have diversified further still: social media, international icons and broadcast rights mean the doors to the Emirates are ever increasingly multiplying.
But for some reason, certain doors are seen as less authentic. Whether a projection of my own uncertainty over identity, or a reflection of the hold cultural norms have over football fandom, somehow supporting a club that is not where you’re from can raise plenty of questions over legitimacy.
This is, of course, nonsense, though accusations of ‘glory-hunting’ remain bandied about. Why, after all, does the sight of Arsenal red and the stadiums of stone bring a wash of ease if I do not belong?
The reality is that once you enter through that door to stand side-by-side while holding red and white scarves outstretched and aloft your point of entry does not matter.
Once the whistle blows, there are no eyes focused on you or your reason for watching, whether from afar or in the stadium. Instead they follow the path of the ball, each willing it into the same goal.
It is in those moments, when time stands still and you collectively hold your breath with fans across the world, when you cheer together and when you sing together, sharing that same joy, that belonging is created.
It is in the shared memory of those moments that we are all in North London forever.
THE ART OF VERSATILITY
Theability to transition seamlessly between different positions is one of the most valuable attributes for a footballer to possess, however its significance to a team’s success is often greatly understated.
For Arsenal, Mariona Caldentey stands out as one of the Gunners’ most versatile and adaptable players.
The former Barcelona star has featured on the wing, in attacking midfield and has even been deployed in defensive midfield when required. This exemplifies the impact that Mariona’s arrival has had upon Arsenal, owing to her ability to produce consistently high quality performances.
The Spanish international is able to seamlessly transition between positions, highlighting her exceptional tactical intelligence. In signing Mariona, Arsenal have acquired a well-rounded player who can provide crucial squad depth in numerous positions.
Furthermore, Katie McCabe has demonstrated her versatility for Arsenal over the years, being utilised in almost every outfield position throughout her time as a Gunner.
She has been a standout performer under Renée Slegers, showcasing her ability to adapt her style of play to different opponents.
Both McCabe and Mariona rank in the top five of WSL minutes played by Arsenal players so far this season, at the time of writing. The clear link between the versatility of players and their playing time demonstrates the importance of both of these players to Arsenal’s success.
McCabe’s positional fluidity enables Arsenal to react to in-game situations more effectively by shifting formation to outsmart opponents.
This is an example of how versatile players can offer teams a tactical edge, as McCabe’s unpredictability makes it difficult for opposition defenders to track her movements.
Sophie Puodzius discusses Renée Slegers’ adaptable squad
Sophie Puodzius @sophiepuodzius
The most highly ranked teams within women’s football will be increasingly looking to add these versatile players to their ranks in order to keep up with the evolving nature of coaching styles and tactical strategies.
This has been reflected in Arsenal’s January transfer window with the signing of Jenna Nighswonger. The USA international has been brought into the squad as a left-back, however her previous experience in midfield and as a winger also offers additional squad depth for Arsenal. This makes Nighswonger an extremely cost-effective signing, due to her ability to meet multiple needs within the team.
Many parallels can be drawn between Nighswonger and McCabe, with both being attacking left-backs who can invert into midfield or operate on the wing if required. Therefore, Nightswonger’s arrival will have a ripple effect through the squad as her signing enables Katie McCabe to be utilised on the wing or at rightback as cover for Emily Fox.
Consequently, this will help Arsenal to better navigate the demands of a congested football calendar by ensuring regular squad rotation, therefore reducing the likelihood of injuries. Nighswonger’s positional flexibility was inevitably a key factor in Arsenal’s desire to obtain her signature, as she has the potential to become an invaluable asset for the Gunners.
We have also seen the next generation of Arsenal’s homegrown talents being given exposure to different positions on the pitch as part of their continued development. Under Slegers, 18-year-old Katie Reid has been deployed as a full-back as opposed to her natural position at centre-back.
This has enabled the youngster to gain substantial minutes in cup games, which may not have been possible in the centre-back position due to fierce competition within the squad. As a result, Reid will be able to learn transferable skills between positions which will improve her overall tactical understanding.
Slegers used the example of Reid when asked by the Gooner Fanzine about giving
players the opportunity to play out of position. “With Katie Reid, we think she is a future centreback but she can play different roles and she has been so good in training.
“She can play full-back, centre-half and also in the six role. These are all positions she got into [against Bristol City] and we want to have a structure and be fluid in our game.”
This highlights the importance of the positional fluidity that versatile players can offer, which has been a key feature of Arsenal’s style of play under Slegers. Arsenal will certainly look to sign more versatile players in the future, as the flexibility and adaptability offered by these players will greatly aid the Gunners in their quest for major silverware.
NO MORE RED
A selection of Suzy Lycett’s favourite photos from Arsenal Women’s 5-0 FA Cup win over Bristol City, which saw the Gunners wear all-white kits as part of the club’s No More Red anti-knife crime campaign.
MORE THAN A MATCH
Football is more than just a game- it’s a community, a family, and a way for many of us to form lifelong friendships.
From the very first official Arsenal Women Supporters’ Club meet-up in Wolfsburg, Germany, I’ve had the privilege of making friends worldwide, turning match days into unforgettable experiences filled with great company, laughter, and shared passion.
I attended my first few games alone. I used to travel from Germany, where I was living at the time, to London to watch the games; with good luck, I maybe had the time to enjoy London a little bit before flying back home the same or the next day.
I would arrive at the stadium, soak in the electric atmosphere, enjoy the match, and then return to the hotel or fly back home. These trips were incredible experiences, and I enjoyed them a lot.
I kept returning and watching the games alone, and although I really enjoyed these trips, something was missing. Football is meant to be shared, and soon enough, I found myself connecting with other fans who were also attending games solo.
Fast forward to today, and my friends often joke that I know everyone at the matches. It’s true- I do know quite many Arsenal supporters, but my friends are exaggerating because I obviously can’t know absolutely everyone!
Many of my football friends are from England, but interestingly, most of my closest friends come from abroad.
This global network of Arsenal Women’s fans has grown even stronger thanks to initiatives like the Home Advantage Pack, which encourages international supporters to
The beauty of supporting Arsenal Women is that you are welcomed with open arms no matter where you come from
Lumi Lehmuskallio on Arsenal’s worldwide audience coming together to watch the Gunners over land and sea
Lumi Lehmuskallio @lumimeriel
travel specifically for the big games held at the Emirates Stadium.
When Arsenal Women play at the Emirates, it’s like a birthday, full of excitement, anticipation, and reunions. In fact, it’s usually not just a match day; it’s a match weekend.
Friends from the Netherlands, Germany, Sweden, and beyond travel to London, turning the occasion into a weekend-long festivity. It’s about more than just football.
We take the opportunity to explore and enjoy London in a way that I wouldn’t as a local on a typical weekend.
Whether going out for brunch at a cozy café, strolling through the city’s iconic landmarks, or winding down with a film night, these weekends are about strengthening the friendships we’ve built through our love of Arsenal Women.
Our love for women’s sports doesn’t stop at football. Over time, my friendships have taken us beyond the pitch and into new sporting experiences. We’ve attended rugby matches together, expanding our appreciation for
women’s sports and the incredible athletes who compete at the highest levels.
These shared adventures have only strengthened our bond, proving that sport, in all its forms, has the power to unite us.
We’ve also travelled beyond our home countries to support women’s football on the international stage. Whether it’s watching national teams featuring Arsenal players or attending the Champions League final between Barcelona and Lyon in Bilbao, the thrill of cheering for former Arsenal stars like Daniëlle van de Donk or watching our now star player in Arsenal like Mariona Caldentey adds another layer of excitement to our journeys.
These trips have become about more than just the matches—they are a celebration of the growth of women’s football and the friendships that make supporting the sport so special.
Match days have evolved into something far greater than just watching 90 minutes of football. They are an opportunity to reconnect
with friends, make new ones, and celebrate the team we love.
The pre-match rituals, the meetups, the laughter, and the shared nerves before kick-off all contribute to the magic of game day.
The beauty of supporting Arsenal Women is that you are welcomed with open arms no matter where you come from. Whether it’s a fan from London who has been following the team for years or someone traveling from another country to experience their first game, everyone becomes part of the same family.
The friendships I’ve made through this team have enriched my life in ways I never expected, turning what was once a solo experience into an international adventure filled with memories that will last a lifetime.
So, if anyone is considering attending a game alone, don’t worry; you won’t be alone for long. Arsenal Women have built more than just a football team; they’ve built a global community, and I am grateful to be part of it.
ARSENAL’S SMILING ASSASSIN
It’s
nearly 10pm on a chilly Wednesday night at Meadow Park, and Beth Mead has patiently waited for Renée Slegers to finish speaking to a handful of journalists after Arsenal’s 5-0 FA Cup win over Bristol City.
“How are we all?” Mead smiles at the small press pack, myself included.
“Well, Renée’s just made fun of me for being so cold,” I reply, my shivering demeanour picked up on by the Arsenal boss after I posed her a variety of questions.
Slegers isn’t finished with dishing out some stick, either. “It was a cross, Beth!” she shouts over to the Arsenal winger, relating to the manner of her second goal against the Robins.
Freddie Cardy @CardyFreddie
“Never!” replies Mead with a trademark hint of sarcasm, drawing the word out in her northeasterly tone. Ten seconds later, she confirms to the media that it was, indeed, a cross.
Slegers’ relationship with her players has proven to be arguably the most pivotal factor in Arsenal’s upturn under her stewardship. The Dutchwoman joined the club in summer 2023 as an assistant to Jonas Eidevall, with a focus on player development.
Lotte Wubben-Moy revealed after the end of Slegers’ first season in the role that she had played a key part in her starring role in Arsenal’s defence.It was a new position for Slegers, who had replaced Eidevall in the head coach role at Swedish side Rosengard
Freddie Cardy (and Leah Williamson) on how the popular Renée Slegers has reinvigorated Arsenal’s players
two years prior after he took over from Joe Montemurro at Arsenal.
Slegers had worked her way up to the top job at Rosengard, managing the B team before taking over from Eidevall in June 2021.
It’s a common trend in all of her roles that she has never been parachuted straight into the managerial hot seat, and this has served her well, particularly at Arsenal.
“I believe in generalists,” Slegers told the Gooner Fanzine when asked about her various roles within the Arsenal set-up.
“So you have the specialist as well but I think it’s very important to be a generalist, so you understand the holistic things and understand the wider perspective.
“But to be able to do that, it’s very good to get insight into the specialist roles as well as the special context, so I think it definitely helped me.”
Whilst the differences at face value are clear to see between Slegers and Eidevall, the latter whose player management was particularly
It’s very important to stay calm on the sideline for me, it works really well because if I’m getting too engaged and emotional, I can’t think in solutions and strategies, so for me it’s the best way
criticised by Arsenal supporters, the two head coaches have a strong relationship that now spans for a number of years.
In fact, Eidevall’s persuasion for Slegers to go for the Arsenal job after an unbeaten interim tenure played a part in her taking the role.
“I’ve worked really well with Jonas,” Slegers told the Gooner Fanzine in her first press conference after being confirmed head coach on an 18-month contract.
“I think I’ve said many times I’ve spoken to him quite a lot after he left and I respect his way of seeing the game and it’s been great learning from him.”
“I think there’s learning everywhere and I’ve learned a lot of things from him.
“It’s always going to be like that, we’re never going to be exactly the same so I think every person will bring something different whether it’s the tactical ideas or the way you want to
lead or just who you are as a person, and obviously that’s natural.”
Without wishing to continue overlycomparing Arsenal’s two latest managers, Slegers’ overall calm demeanour has been a breath of fresh air on the training pitch and the touchline.
Whilst Eidevall would intensely study the opposition’s pre-match warm-up, standing alone on the halfway line, Slegers and her coaching staff lace up their boots and kick a ball around whilst her players go through their runs and stretches.
On the training ground, this also applies, much to the delight of Leah Williamson, who was lavish in her praise of Slegers when she spoke to the Gooner on the day of her unveiling.
“I love it when she’s in my rondos because she ends up in the middle,” joked the England captain on the day of Slegers’ appointment.
“I think it’s good. I don’t know what Renée was like as a player but I think having a coach, it’s just a really nice way of engaging.
“It’s not necessary obviously, but if you can engage with your team in that way, it just brings an element of calmness to everything. She does get involved, which I think is good.
“It just shows a demonstration of what we’ve all achieved, but she’s also a player and she’s in that position. But I think having her, Kelly [Smith], on the coaching staff for example, Jodie [Taylor] joins in. It’s cool.”
On the touchline, Slegers makes sure to maintain a purposeful poker face. “I think my presence is always very calm, but of course my brain is going 100 miles an hour,” she revealed after Arsenal’s recent 4-3 WSL win over Manchester City.
“I think it’s very important to stay calm on the sideline for me, it works really well because if I’m getting too engaged and emotional, I can’t think in solutions and strategies, so for me it’s the best way, if I want to be the best version of myself, and that’s the best for me and I think that helps the team in that way.”
Arsenal may have dallied and dawdled, but one way or another the club made the right decision in their January appointment. In the end, Slegers’ CV as interim manager did not have a defeat against it. Was there even a need for a job interview after her side’s 3-2 Champions League win over Bayern Munich before Christmas?
Perhaps Arsenal should count themselves lucky; an obvious scarcity of quality managers was a real concern after Eidevall’s resignation, and like a bad series of the Apprentice, no popular candidates became apparent as the weeks went on. In the end, justice was served, players and fans unanimous in their delight.
It can be hard to continue believing in the phrase ‘good things happen to good people’ these days, but watching Slegers’ management and interacting with her in the media, there’s hope for that saying yet.
COONEY-CROSS: THE DEFINING SEASON SO FAR
Liberty Simons on how Kyra Cooney-Cross has remodelled her game across this campaign
Ina season of turmoil and change, a new constant is building in the Arsenal midfield.
It was a natural turnover to come eventually but the newfound presence of Kyra CooneyCross in the Gunners’ midfield was something that built from nothing this season.
A highly anticipated player to come into this Arsenal side, the Australian has not just shone this season, she has hit the ceiling and kept building through it.
The first sight of the new Kyra Cooney-Cross in this Arsenal side came in the Champions League qualifiers against Rangers, Rosenborg and BK Häcken.
Decisive interceptions and close ball control showed Cooney-Cross’ adaptation and development in her first year in North London, creating the player Arsenal fans had wanted from her since she joined.
Pinging balls across the field, helping with the gritty midfield duels and building up play, the midfielder demonstrated a new level to her game for the Arsenal. Finding Caitlin Foord across the pitch became a staple of these games. When teams wanted to be tight and starve off chances, Cooney-Cross’ long balls across the pitch stopped the chances of starvation and turned the heat up.
Aconfident and forward thinking player that looked to be an important part of this team for the future.
In the opening game of the WSL season against Manchester City, Cooney-Cross continued to show her levels against a hard
opponent. This game was defined by short interception stops, and quick thinking to halt the City attack and turn it into Arsenal’s. In the midst of two tight midfields, Cooney-Cross’ simple steps to gain the ball did wonders to disrupt City’s following and connective moves.
It was a complete change from her long balls over the top that were seen in the qualifiers, demonstrating an evolving and continued versatility from the young player.
That isn’t to say she didn’t demonstrate her long balls against City, but whereas in the qualifiers they were from a much further distance across the pitch to Foord, against Manchester City her passes were directly into the box for one of Arsenal’s tall Scandinavians to get their head to.
When the Renée-sance started, there were fears when then-interim head coach Slegers
Liberty Simons @libertysimons
returned to the comfort and familiarity of a Lia Wälti and Kim Little double pivot. But Cooney-Cross was once again given her chances in the midfield, and demonstrated once again how she can improve and learn when she is given her chance to do so.
In the North London Derby, her second half performance showed her developing defence.
In winning her duel with Hayley Raso, Cooney-Cross showed a newfound hunger and determination to become the midfielder she was destined to be.
In the final game of 2024 against Bayern Munich, there was a moment of pure magic from the Australian. In a single move down the flank, Cooney-Cross got past three very good midfielders, all whilst containing the ball at her feet.
It’s moments like this that are demonstrating the individual talent of Kyra Cooney-Cross.
Whether it’s her goal against Brighton, or the assist for Lotte Wubben-Moy’s header against Manchester City, Cooney-Cross’ consistent and high level performances aren’t being defined as a simple one-off.
They are being defined by her these small moments that make the highlight reel, and demonstrate her individual talent, encompassed in her attributes she brings to the team.
She is now the first name on the team sheet for match day, and a player that continues to impress match from match.
Cooney-Cross is undeniably the core of this Arsenal team now, and the first brick in the new Renée Slegers house. One of the world’s most promising young midfielders, she is showing her talents for all to see in North London.
ARSENAL FOR EVERYONE
“I love that dads are taking their daughters to football,” my friend remarked on a wet, blustery Sunday afternoon in West London.
For someone attending only their third Arsenal Women’s match and women’s match in general, it was an astute observation.
The disappointing 1-0 away defeat to Chelsea did not impact his burgeoning love for Arsenal Women and enthusiastically asked about the next game we’d be attending. He was hooked.
My friend, who is a self-described casual Liverpool fan at best, felt that women’s football and specifically Arsenal Women was his first true gateway into the sport.
He was enthused by its affordability, being able to watch some of the best players in the
world for a fraction of the cost compared with men’s football and the welcoming atmosphere, feeling as a newcomer to the sport he would be embraced with open arms.
Arsenal Women and women’s football in general has appealed to people who are turned off by the performative machismo of certain aspects of men’s football, yet desire the community, connection and friendship that supporting a team brings.
The sport has developed its own identity and fandom away from men’s football which has always been assumed as the be all and end all for how football should exist.
Women’s football has proved that entrenched expectations can and certainly will be changed for the better.
Loyal Gooner Joseph Rosedon takes a friend along to see the Arsenal Women for the first time
Joseph Rosedon @J_R_9_9
The sport’s relationship with the LGBTQ+ community is well documented and for that community to have the ability to express themselves freely whilst watching football is nothing short of commendable.
Despite numerous campaigns such as Rainbow Laces, men’s football does not feel a truly welcoming place for that community. The lack of openly LGBT players in top level men’s football hammers home this point.
As much as I love Arsenal winning trophies, I will always feel even prouder as a fan that the club has been able to attract new demographics to football that previously would not have engaged with the sport.
Women’s football has given the sport a chance to change its definition and Arsenal Women are at the forefront of this progression. It feels contemporary and fresh yet with strong connections to the best traditions of football like rivalry and teasing of opposition fans. It’s a truly exciting moment in the history of the sport.
On a personal level, I have been able to bond with a friend over my deepest passion in a way that has not been feasible before. I owe this to Arsenal Women.
As much as I love Arsenal winning trophies, I will always feel even prouder as a fan that the club has been able to attract new demographics to football that previously would not have engaged with the sport
Alessia Russo
Alessia Russo has been in the best form of her Gunners career since Renee Slegers assumed Jonas Eidevall’s role on a permanent basis, and, as the Gooner’s Layth Yousif discovered on one of our recent trips to the club’s training ground, London Colney, the 26-year-old England forward has also been in excellent spirits off the pitch.
StormEowyn might have been blowing through vast swathes of the country at the time of our interview, but it’s been Arsenal’s engaging in-form striker who’s been busy making waves.
Nearly 18 months have passed since the popular Russo arrived in North London from Manchester United on a free transfer.
During that time the Kent-born 26-year-old has experienced plenty of the vagaries and vicissitudes that football has a habit of throwing at centre-forwards.
Lows have included last season’s early Champions League disappointment at the hands of Paris FC, the Gunners knocked out on penalties in the qualifying round, with Russo having barely returned from the World Cup in Australia - to the abject humiliation in Bavaria this term, during *that* 5-2 shellacking at Bayern Munich which precipitated the fall of the underperforming, and underwhelming Eidevall.
While the thrill of powering through to a World Cup final in Australia, including putting the hosts in their place in the semi-final, scoring in a 3-1 win over the Matilda’s as an Arsenal player, as well as lifting her only piece of silverware as a Gunner, after coming off the bench to help Eidevall’s side to the League Cup trophy at Wolves Molineux Stadium last Easter, count far more memorably.
Yet, how does Arsenal’s personable star striker reflect on the last 18 months in the mighty red and white? Speaking to the Gooner Fanzine at Colney, a relaxed Russo, sporting a blue tracksuit, opened-up, saying: “I’m loving it.
“I’ve been really enjoying learning about me and about my game. I think I’ve learned a lot as a No9 - a different style, a different way of playing- and how I can adapt to my [teammates] strengths and vice versa.
“I think I’ve still got a lot more to give and I hope that we can keep progressing as a team. “
With the prospect of a mouth-watering twolegged clash to come against Real Madrid in the Champions League, what is Russo’s take on her experiences of the tournament so far?
“I’m loving playing Champions League football,” she says emphatically, adding with relish, “competing against the top teams, while also competing against the best players here in training, week-in, week-out.
“You don’t really have too much time to reflect as our schedule is so fast-paced but if I was to really think about it, I’ve just been really enjoying myself, and really just wanting to help this team to the next level.”
In terms of recent form, Russo is on fire, having been voted AWFC’s Player of the Month for December, following her goals helping to propel Slegers’ side to the top of Group C in the Champions League, as well as applying the pressure on Manchester City and Chelsea at the top of the Women’s Super League.
The award coming after Russo netted a brace against Aston Villa during the 4-0 pre-
Christmas rout at the Emirates, while grabbing another pair in sub-zero temperatures away to Valerenga in the Champions League in Norway, while also scoring the only goal of the game in the 1-0 win at Liverpool. Russo hit another in the 3-2 win at home to Bayern, not to mention a strike during the 5-0 rout of Palace after the WSL restarted in January.
Just what are the secrets behind her majestic form, after managing to power past an indifferent spell, to perform at such high levels.
Intrigued about her craft, I mention that I was at Bramall Lane the night England blew away a very good Swedish side 4-0 to reach the final of Euro 2022, which included Russo’s memorably audacious backheel, and ask how the Arsenal striker has striven to improve since that memorable night in South Yorkshire.
Russo thinks for a moment before answering: “I think I’m learning a lot more about other aspects that will help me as a No9.
“About more movement and timing and unpredictability - being able to strike off both feet, being able to attack crosses in different ways, whether it’s my head, my feet, the timing of that, being able to create half yard spaces to get shots off.
“I think there is so much you can learn as a striker. I think as you get older you have the capability to understand it a bit more - when I was younger, I just wanted to score, and I just wanted to shoot all the time.
“Now, it’s about fine tuning everything, and figuring out how to really try and get the best out of yourself.”
Growing up in Kent, before moving to the USA to attend university - her father was in the police for 33 years, while her mum works in a hospice - Russo has always been keen to laud her parents as her biggest fans.
However, another huge fan is her boss, Renée Slegers.
Speaking to the Gooner Fanzine at Colney, the club’s permanent head coach paid a fulsome tribute, saying: “I’m very impressed with who Alessia is as a person.
“She’s just a very good person. She cares for everyone, her teammates, the staff.
“She always treats everyone with respect and that if you see the hard work she invests on the training pitch, she’s very humble about things, about herself.
“She works very hard - but then there’s also a big belief in who she is, and how she can impact games.
“She’s just a great person to have in the team, and I’m very happy for her that she is getting out of herself what she wants to get out of herself.
“I want to get the best out of players and see them play to their strengths.
“We invest a lot of time into that as a staff, and the players as well, and it’s good to see Alessia thrive.”
Speaking of fans, Russo takes time out of her busy schedule to specifically praise the club’s legions of supporters.
“I can always talk about the fans because they back us in full force in every single game,” she says in admiration.
“Going away to places like Chelsea is tough, but I know that our fans will always be singing loud and proud from minute one.”
As our time with the England striker draws to an end, what was also refreshing to note was Russo’s nice line in self-deprecation.
When quizzed on her views, following, bizarrely, an MP calling for more women’s footballers to be on the front of birthday cards, quick as a flash, the Arsenal striker replied with a smile, “I’m not sure anyone would want my face on a card.
“Maybe we could Moonpig it first…”
One thing is for certain, if the engaging Russo continues her excellent run of form for Arsenal as the Champions League hoves into view - and for England at this summer’s European Championships in Switzerland - her face will certainly be appearing far more widely than it already does.
Layth Yousif @laythy29
DEADLINE DAY DEALS
Anotherdramatic January transfer window has gone by, and Arsenal have named two exciting additions to their squad: Jenna Nighswonger and Chloe Kelly.
Defender Nighswonger joined from NWSL team Gotham FC, while Kelly returns to the Gunners on loan from Manchester City.
Both players will bring valuable skills to the team, with Arsenal aiming for trophies domestically and on the continent this season.
Nighswonger, despite being just 24 years old, has already established herself as a mature and skilled player, with Arsenal head coach Renée Slegers praising her for such.
Her experience on the international stage will be an asset to the Gunners when faced with high-pressure situations and her defensive prowess and control on the field could make her a key player in Arsenal’s future.
When thinking of potential partnerships, Nighswonger could form a strong combination with Laia Codina.
Both players have plenty of room for growth, and together they could create a solid defensive pairing capable of handling a variety of opposing threats.
Looking at regular starters, it would be exciting to see Nighswonger paired alongside fellow American teammate Emily Fox. Arguably one of Arsenal’s strongest defenders, rightback Fox could play a key role in helping Nighswonger develop within the backline on the opposite flank.
On the attacking front, the return of Kelly on loan from Manchester City will provide an exciting boost. In addition to her speed and skill, Kelly’s well-known footwork on the ball allows her to manoeuvre out of tight situations on the field. The forward was part of Arsenal’s youth before moving to Everton and then City, so her return to the club is a welcome one, as she brings not only experience but also a strong mentality to the Gunners squad.
Kelly’s addition will give Arsenal a boost in attack, allowing Slegers to rotate her squad and keep the frontline fresh for the rest of the
Lily Young @lilsawfc
Lily Young delves into Arsenal’s two January signings
season. Her experience in the English game, combined with her quality, means she can easily incorporate into Arsenal’s style of play.
We’ve seen Kelly link up effectively with her Lionesses teammates Beth Mead and Alessia Russo and now could see that connection working for the Gunners.
A partnership between Kelly and Mead looks promising, as both players are confident and skillful, and complement each other well. Kelly’s vision and creativity could set up goal-scoring opportunities for the likes of Stina Blackstenius or Frida Maanum.
With the addition of Nighswonger and the return of Kelly, Arsenal have strengthened their squad, bringing in a mix of experience, talent, and knowledge.
These moves come at an important time in the season for the Gunners, with Arsenal looking to maintain their momentum and keep their faint title hopes alive.
With the addition of Jenna Nighswonger and the return of Chloe Kelly, Arsenal have strengthened their squad, bringing in a mix of experience, talent, and knowledge
CALCULATED OR COMPLACENT?
Seated in the away end at Stamford Bridge, I watched as an announcement lit up the screen. Naomi Girma, Chelsea’s million-pound signing, stepped onto the pitch to applause. I sighed, thinking Arsenal would never make such a bold move.
Chelsea’s transfer strategy is unmatched. When Kadeisha Buchanan’s ACL went, they didn’t settle- they signed Nathalie Björn, a defender of equal or greater quality.
When Sam Kerr tore her ACL, they replaced her with world-class talents, Catarina Macario and Mayra Ramirez.
Now, with Chelsea eyeing Trinity Rodman, a player Arsenal’s reportedly interested in, the question arises: Are Arsenal falling behind in the transfer market?
Have they done enough to stay competitive, or is it time to rethink their approach?
Arsenal’s Squad Depth- Is It Enough?
Arsenal’s starting XI is undeniably strong, but questions remain about the depth behind it. While key players deliver brilliance, injuries and fixture congestion expose significant gaps.
The lack of proven, like-for-like replacements in crucial positions raises concerns about whether the team can sustain a title challenge across multiple competitions.
Take Arsenal’s trip to Manchester City as an example. Renée Slegers fielded a strong lineup, but Katie McCabe’s suspension forced Steph Catley to shift to left-back, with Lotte WubbenMoy making a rare start at center-back.
Kim Little’s injury meant Mariona Caldentey stepped into midfield alongside Frida Maanum and Kyra Cooney-Cross. Lia Wälti, not fit enough to start, remained on the bench for most of the game. Meanwhile, Chloe Kelly- Arsenal’s latest
Huge AWFC fan Daisy Goodhand can’t help but notice Chelsea’s big-money January moves
Daisy Goodhand @daisygh02
loanee- was ineligible to face her parent club, leading to Stina Blackstenius starting up front.
As a result, one of the most in-form strikers in the world in Alessia Russo was pushed out to the left wing.
Arsenal’s bench told the real story. Their only attacking option? Young prospect Rosa Kafaji. The rest consisted of two goalkeepers, four defenders, and a player coming off an offseason in the NWSL.
Compare that to Chelsea, who in their WSL game that same weekend brought on Ramirez, Keira Walsh, Johanna Rytting Kaneryd, and Maika Hamano, or even injury-hit Manchester City, who still introduced Bunny Shaw and Kerolin against Arsenal.
And this isn’t an injury-ravaged squad. So why are Arsenal still struggling for depth?
The answer is simple: lack of investment in squad depth.
While Chelsea stack their squad with worldclass talent, even when they already have elite players in that position, Arsenal hesitate. Chelsea didn’t think twice about signing Girma or Walsh.
They seamlessly manage squad competition, keeping top-tier players engaged, even if they don’t start every game.
Arsenal, on the other hand, face a recurring problem. Too many players leave due to lack of game time. The club can assemble a starting XI, but beyond that, the squad thins out. The only real exception is Blackstenius, who extended her contract despite Russo’s arrival.
Others- Sabrina D’Angelo, Cloé Lacasse, Laura Wienroither- left in search of minutes.
Should Arsenal address this by buying more players when departures happen? Or is the deeper issue an inability to maintain a strong squad beyond the first-choice XI?
Assessing Arsenal’s Recruitment
The recruitment isn’t necessarily flawed— the players they sign are of high quality. Their recent windows show ambition to build a squad capable of winning major honours.
Last summer, they secured Daphne van Domselaar, now their first-choice goalkeeper. Kafaji was a smart signing, a promising talent acquired before rivals could. Mariona has become a key player in this team.
The 2023-24 window was particularly strongRusso, Lacasse, Cooney-Cross, Laia Codina, Amanda Ilestedt, and later Emily Fox, all arrived, many of whom now play vital roles under boss Renée Slegers.
Previous windows have also delivered key signings: Victoria Pelova replaced Jordan Nobbs and became indispensable. Maanum, Blackstenius, Catley, Caitlin Foord, Manu Zinsberger- many of Arsenal’s core players started as smart acquisitions.
Of course, some players left for personal reasons despite their love for the club, such as Rafaelle, who made an immediate impact. But the underlying issue remains- have Arsenal done enough?
The Ones That Got Away
No club gets every transfer right, and Arsenal are no exception. Some signings simply haven’t worked out.
Lina Hurtig arrived as Arsenal’s most expensive signing at the time but struggled with injuries, never quite becoming the dynamic winger the team needed. Gio, a fantastic
talent, had a messy exit and was never given a real opportunity to shine. Kathrine Kühl left in January after barely featuring, rarely even used as an impact substitute.
The real criticism, though, isn’t about who Arsenal have signed, it’s about how many. The squad has lacked a true winger for far too long, long before the deadline day signing of Kelly. Arsenal shouldn’t have to push their best striker out wide to fill gaps.
Midfield depth is also a concern. With Little and Wälti’s minutes needing to be managed, Arsenal can’t afford to rely on constant positional reshuffling.
Versatile players are useful, but over-reliance on them means weakening other areas. When Mariona plays as a No. 10, she excels, but that leaves Arsenal with one fewer winger, a position where they already lack options.
Arsenal won’t sign players just for the sake of it, and that’s understandable. But at some point, they need to make big moves. If they truly want to compete with Chelsea and Manchester City for trophies, this summer’s transfer window has to be decisive.
Star Sub: Jamie Spangher
Steph Catley, Caitlin Foord and Kyra Cooney-Cross have become Aussie favourites at Arsenal, and Jamie Spangher has followed in their footsteps, moving to England from Melbourne to cover women’s football, and sell the Gooner! - Part 2
Tell us about your women’s football journey
Growing up, I was always a women’s football fan because I grew up watching my sister in the W-League (now A-League).
It was kind of a rite of passage for me to grow up around women’s football, so the passion was always there.
As a kid I was always better at English than other subjects, and writing was something I enjoyed in school so becoming a journalist felt like the perfect venndiagram moment.
Moving over to England was a bit on a whim. I did a university semester in Dublin and planned to stay in England for a bit after that but now it has spiralled into a permanent stay!
Each issue we put the spotlight on a Gooner subscriber and loyal Arsenal supporter. You can be featured here too, just get in contact with us.
like it. I think anyone at the tournament can attest to how magic the journey was.
In Aus, football isn’t even in the top three most cared about or most funded sports, so it has never been a big part of our sport culture. The Matildas changed that.
When the tournament ended, Aussies wanted more, and they realised they could get that at Arsenal. Having three Aussies in the team meant the progression was natural, and I’m so glad it was the case.
What does Arsenal Women mean to you?
Moving to London, the one constant in my life has been Arsenal. The people I have met during my time covering the club have been some of the most talented and down to earth individuals, and because of it, I know I have friends for life.
The reason I’m here is because of football. Australia doesn’t have the access to football that England does, and it feels like the heart of it all.
I feel very lucky to be here and sometimes forget how insane it is that I just get to walk down to the Emirates on a matchday.
Why are Arsenal Women so popular in Australia?
The experience of the 2023 World Cup was probably the best of my life. I travelled the country following the Matildas and I’ve just never seen anything
When I’m missing home or my personal and work life gets crazy, I know that there will be an Arsenal Women game for me to watch that weekend.
Having the club as a constant is really comforting, and I feel really lucky to be a part of the Arsenal family.
I thank my lucky stars every day that I get to consider writing about Arsenal as work. I also try to remind myself that just 18 months ago I would’ve given an arm and a leg to be in the North Bank at Meadow Park, so it has just been surreal.
