Hello Arsenal Women aficionados!
The traditional Arsenal Women Journal might well be on holidays mode but that’s no reason to rest.
The World Cup is over, England suffered a hurting defeat against a valiant, well-organized Spain team and could not achieve the historical feat of holding both the European and World crown. Although Lotte Wubben-Moy and Alessia Russo, who was replaced at half-time in the final, will require time to recover from this big disappointment, I expected many other players to come back in high spirits after a memorable time in Australia and New Zealand.
Post WC recovery time for new star signingWith the exception of Sabrina D’Angelo and Cloé Lacasse, who were marginal figures in a disappointing Canada team, every player had her moment during the tournament and helped their respective teams to achieve their goals. Sweden trio of Stina Blackstenius, Lina Hurtig and new signing Amanda Ilestedt finished third and caught the eye with crucial goals or assists in crucial moments; Caitlin Foord and Steph Catley helped co-hosts Australia to a respectable fourth place; Lia Wälti and Noëlle Maritz were integral elements of a Switzerland team capable of topping their group ahead of Frida Maanum’s Norway and elsewhere Kathrine Kühl (Denmark), Victoria Pelova (Netherlands) and Katie McCabe (Ireland) contributed to their teams’ run.
Surely Denmark, Norway and the Netherlands had different expectations for this World Cup but were unfortunate to meet the wrong opposition at the wrong time: Norway capitulated against red-hot Japan, Denmark faced Australia right after the group stage and the Netherlands succumbed to eventual winners Spain in extra time.
The players will now have at least three weeks off to elaborate the experiences they lived, rest, switch off and get pumped for the club season – which for the Arsenal will start in two weeks with the Champions League qualifier against Linköping, in Sweden. Of those who played in Australia and New Zealand, I only expect Sabrina D’Angelo, Cloé Lacasse and Katie McCabe to be involved so early, given that they left rather early at the World Cup, while the rest of the team will be composed of senior players who didn’t qualify such as Manuela Zinsberger, Jen Beattie and Kim Little and youngsters such as Gio.
That should be more than enough to fend off our first opponent en route to the Champions League group stage, while I expect a much stronger squad to be available for the second qualifying round, in October.
The coming days will be all about the transfers and speculation, so brace yourself for a merry-go-round of names being thrown around. Jonas Eidevall spoke highly of USA defender Naomi Girma (23), one of the few positives from a disastrous World Cup campaign for the former World Champions, which prompted all major media outlets to hint at a possible transfer to the N5, but the San Diego Waves’ defender is likely to stay put, especially as Jonas Eidevall and the club are about to announce the arrival of World Champion Laia Codina from Barcelona. The defender, who played in Australia and New Zealand in place of Mapi Léon, will complete the defensive unit alongside Amanda Ilestedt, Lotte Wubben-Moy, Jen Beattie and Leah Williamson, who is still recovering from her ACL rupture, unless the head coach intends to sign another player to replace the unlucky Teyah Goldie, who ruptured her ACL for a second time in 18 months.
The youngsters, who was expected to be more and more involved with the first team, will be sidelined for the whole season and will hope to be ready in time to have a full preseason with the team and earn her place in the squad. At 19yo and capable to play both as centre-back and central midfielder, Teyah Goldie has always been considered as a promising talent by the club and will have plenty of opportunities to show her obvious qualities. Let’s hope she’ll be able to stay away from injuries for a while and remain healthy in the next few years.
Will manager add further new signings?
My feeling is that Jonas Eidevall will instead sign a new full-back to step-in for injured Laura Wienroither and use Steph Catley as an auxiliary left centre-back, if needed, mostly because of her great technical ability and passing range. This would allow Teyah Goldie to get back in the squad, when fit, and not have her path blocked by another young centre back like Naomi Girma.
Elsewhere, the squad looks ready to compete on every front and well-equipped in every department – especially upfront. For the upcoming season, I expect a couple of youngsters to truly make their mark and blossom in the same way Frida Maanum took the centre stage, last season. The first name I think of is obviously Kathrine Kühl, who was signed from Nordsjælland in January and had little chances to impress but showcased an exquisite technique and vision when called upon. The Danish midfielder, who didn’t truly shine at the World Cup, could be a creative force in our midfield and deputy for long-stand captain Kim Little but will face stiff competition for a place in the starting XI.
With Kim Little herself, Frida Maanum, Vivianne Miedema (when fit), Alessia Russo and Victoria Pelova all capable of playing “in the hole”, the Danish will have to up their game to become a regular in such a highly-competitive environment.
We will see if the promising midfielder will be able to take the chances she will be presented with, although she won’t be involved in the upcoming game in Sweden as she gets some time off after the World Cup. The Arsenal Women team will be on the pitch on September 6th, in Linköping, hoping to start their 2023/24 with a win – and a convincing one, if possible.
The Summer Diaries will continue throughout the months of June, July and August, then the Arsenal Women Journal will return and there are a few more surprises to come…
Speak to you soon!
Italian living in Switzerland, Gooner since mid-nineties, when the Gunners defeated my hometown team, in Copenhagen. I started my own blog and podcast (www.clockenditalia.com) after after some experiences with Italian websites and football magazines. Covering Arsenal Women with the occasional rant about the boys.
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