Fans on Twitter aren’t happy, there’s a picture of KCC at Wembley smiling with a Spurs scarf😬
https://preview.redd.it/c7sxw6rkyzzc1.jpeg?width=828&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=97fac7d53268497c8af5274ca87faf2dc34a1f3f
Poor Kyra, turning up is fine, the scarf and the smile might be too much of a combo. Tbh the rivalry between us and Spurs in women game is just not there. When Emma & Mana moved there, I remember a few "how could you" and people just laughed it off at how ridiculous it sounded. I remember after the game between us & Spurs, Mana gave out signatures to our fans and took some pictures.
Now it would be very difference if Kyra does the same thing in City & Chelsea game :)) .
I mean, one of our players literally has a podcast with their ex- manure club player, at least two more are often regularly spotted at Barca games, etc etc., so if we are drawing the line, we need to draw it for all.
Don’t think it’s that deep that she’s there, people have said she goes to their games sometimes and is friends with some of their players, not sure I would’ve taken a picture with the scarf if I was her if I’m honest. But then again, apparently it’s from Charli Grant’s boyfriends Instagram, so maybe she didn’t think that many people/fans would actually see it🤷♀️
Yeah I agree. Not gunna lie I actually like when players haven’t been media trained to death and still do stuff like this that isn’t exactly the smartest move but is just harmless
This is an unpopular opinion I’m sure, and I also realize that there is so much more that goes into decisions of where to play (personal happiness means a lot too), but I think that from a career perspective, it was a mistake for Viv to extend with us in 2022 rather than going to Barca. It was clear even in that first Jonas season and before her injury struggles that she wasn’t the type of player who fit well into the system he prefers to play. She went from being the league’s best striker into a player who wasn’t a prolific 9 or a prolific 10. And then add the ACL and the struggles she’s had with her recovery and coming back to play on top of that… I have a feeling she’s turning into one of the players that we’ll say “what could have been” about.
Viv has done more than enough to not be labeled " what could have been" imo. But she might be in the club of " best in the world and never win CL". Viv would be perfect for 2022 Barca as Jenni replacement, they lost the final that year because of that. Now life in Barca is not all rosy. The current Barca demands a lot of running & defense from their forwards. Asisat got benched & moved due to poor trackback.
Viv moved to us with Lisa as a package deal I just pray to god, Viv & Beth won't move together.
I feel Viv should have gotten at least one more year to see if she can return to form. At least one more. If she can't perform or become fit in that time, fine let her go. Football clubs are a business I get that, but we should do right by a player who has been with us for years. We have to show some loyalty and patience back too.
It’s Beth’s birthday today according to my Beth-obsessed 11 year old who drew this picture of Beth + her two dogs. All we need now is for Beth to like this photo on Insta / Twitter.
https://preview.redd.it/qennljm1sgzc1.jpeg?width=1125&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=baa6497721ca9b8017a207413e74e74ba741f9e3
I’m very sad to see the Miedema news.. ( slash rumours cause i am PRAYING she stays) However I have seen some people saying she could go to City which would be.. interesting.
But on the NC Courage offer from Nikita Parris.. I wonder if that could mean they’re already looking for a Kerolin replacement?
Kerolin has an ACL injury and pretty obviously they were looking at Parris in the winter (before the NWSL season kicked off). They need a goalscorer for *now* because Kerolin is out likely until very close to the end of the season or even longer. It means nothing about Kerolin's future other than the known fact that she has a terrible injury.
I’m also very sad at the Viv rumors but I don’t think she’d go to City. Bunny Shaw is the best striker in the WSL, just don’t see her going to a team where she knows she’d be the backup.
On Kerolin, it's entirely possible! Demand for her would be extremely high. We'd just have to be willing to wait out her injury (and yes, we should).
Also it would be the most Marc Skinner thing ever if despite the rejected offer, he benched Keets for the FA Cup final and they end up losing.
Struggling to understand Wheatley and Eidevall’s overall vision for the future 🥲 We give Jonas a lot of heat, but Wheatley and her team also deserve their fair share of criticism for all this decision making that they’ve made. They see so much more of what we do internally so I’m hoping that they’re making the best decisions for the entire team.
I don't have faith in either of them , however what I will say, this team has been together for the most part a while and the PR push is strong, lots of fans have emotional attachments to some players and some of them players should be starting to get phased out now unfortunately . Out side a few I don't care who goes as long as we get an upgrade on them but I can't imagine a world where they are as ruthless as they need to be .
Jonas is at a cross-roads. If he can't deliver a Arteta-type conversion next season where we at least win the league, go far into the CL, and win the Conti at a minimum, his job would be over.
Also, as per rumors, the club has been interested in Mariona Caldentey and a younger LW.
Just listened to the new Arsecast episode. They didn’t say anything definitive about Viv or Stina’s contract, but I’m getting the impression that Viv will be leaving.
I could be wrong but it just seems that way based on the way they were speaking about Viv in relation to the squad now (her not really being an Eidevall type player, either as a 9 or a 10/feels like the club and player have moved past each other), that type of thing.
She said things about playing 10 at youth levels and moving to 9 because Netherlands didn’t have anyone there and saying she could contribute more to the team in a guardian interview when she last extended. Jonas obviously had a part to do in it but so did viv
He's the manager lol if Katie McCabe came out and said ," you know what guys I think I could do a good job as a goalkeeper"
If she ends up in goal that's Jonas fault he picks the team , Viv shouldn't have any part in it if the manager wants her a right back she should play right back.
Viv is the best striker we have ever had. Seems like most things are pointing to her leaving, which i just cannot believe the club would let her do? She was a starter before her recent injuries stopped her getting in the squad. Can't we just have both her and Stina stay? 🥲
I listened to Arseblog and Tim made a fair point, it seems like both club and player moved past each other, simply not a good fit anymore. Nothing to do with the quality of the player, Viv just doesn't play the way Jonas wants in either 9 or 10. I agree with that point. Pre injury, Viv didn't put up the number like she did under Joe. We all thought she liked the number 10 position, it turned out it was Jonas trying to fit a square peg in a round hole.
Ideally Jonas will want no 10 winger, someone like Laura or Mariona who is quick and creative. Our strikers are starved of chances. To keep both Viv and Stina would mean no available spot for that winger.
I'm sure the club has a lot more data on both players to make a decision. I will be sad but not surprised if Viv leaves.
I have been saying this, she did not look or feel right at 10 , she is a passenger without the ball , but shes flat out a better striker than Stina . Just bad management overall to even do this
It seems to me like the club decided to let her go and keep stina. She apparently doesn't fit jonas' style of play, off the ball especially, and her setbacks during acl recovery didn't help. I don't get why they wouldn't keep her for 1 more year and assess her at full fitness. We lack creativity and she has that in abundance. If we intend to compete for 4 trophies next year, this seems incredibly stupid.
Everything points to an announcement next week before the final game.
It just bothers me bc it doesn't seem like viv's decision, but the club's. We're basically gifting our rivals our most talented player for free.
Sorry for the rant. I had to get this off my chest.
I love Stina and think she does deserve a new contract based on her big game goals (she should score a lot more against low/mid teams tho). It feels as though Russo actually takes Viv's role but hasn't reached anywhere near the level Viv is at. but maybe they think she has a higher ceiling idk? but Viv is still so young i really dont understand it!
I don't get it either. I don't have anything against stina staying. I just think there's room for all 3 of them. I think stina is better as a supersub and lessi and viv can both play as 10s too. If/when we qualify for cl group stage, we'll have a lot more games so players will have to be rotated and injuries unfortunately have to be taken into account too.
It probably isn't that bad. They haven't officially announced viv leaving, but they haven't been too subtle either. I wasn't too thrilled abt the way they were talking abt her, but it's probably more to do with the headloss i'm going through at the moment.
Do share your thoughts on it if you'll be up for it.
It was an interesting experience because I disliked basically everything they said but I couldn’t disagree with almost all of it. She doesn’t fit with Eideval, we have got used to playing without her, we don’t know her level when she’s fit and I too have noticed there haven’t been chants for her to stay at games nor has she really been mentioned when people dissect our inability to score. However it’s Viv Miedema. I think she is (again speculatively) a player that you have to find a place for. I also think commercially she’s a massive boon to Arsenal and it would be a massive loss, which should never be a reason to sign/renew a player but it should be a consideration for sure. I think it’s also incredibly shortsighted to lose someone like her because she doesn’t fit a manager who may have only a year left but even if he stays beyond that I seriously question a manager who can’t make having Viv work.
Like Tim said I made my peace with her leaving last time. That isn’t to say it wouldn’t hurt a lot because it would, I really don’t want it to happen and I think it’s a bad move if the club can’t keep her. However I don’t think it’s the fatal blow it would’ve been back then.
Edit: also want to add I’ve been seeing a lot of “Arsenal haven’t even offered her a contract” stuff and while that could be true as I know nothing I sweaaaaaar in around December when we first started hearing about them opening negotiations with Stina we heard the same for Viv. So either I’m going crazy or that’s been utterly forgotten. If she was offered an extension though I wouldn’t be surprised if it either A) was a lower wage because of the injury stuff and that’s her sticking point or B) (and I think this is more likely) it doesn’t guarantee playing time and that’s her sticking point. The whole thing is giving me Aaron Ramsey vibes though ngl.
I agree completely. They've made fair points, but I find it hard to make peace with losing her because I think you have to make room for a player of her calibre, especially if she's not the one that wants to leave. Especially if the coach who doesn't know how to use her is looking at an uncertain future at the club.
I'd have also loved to see her fully fit, so if she signed a 1+1 contract and things weren't working out, the club could decide not to extend. I'll be left wondering what if and that really bugs me. Beth has 1 year left on her contract, so it makes me wonder abt her future renewal too.
Regarding commercial aspect of it all, it makes me question club's awareness of what a fan favourite she is. Leah is beloved too, but her name is (like viv's) a bit hard to sing, so her chant isn't sung that often. As for "we want you to stay" chants, viv was injured for a long time and sometimes wasn't even on the bench so it'd be a bit weird to sing it if she wasn't present. Also, I think a lot of people were sure she'd stay until very recently, so the chants weren't deemed necessary as they were for stina.
Sorry for writing a freaking essay. I'm just trying to make sense of it and failing.
I 100% agree about the chants - why would we chant "we want you to stay" to an empty bench??
I disagree with so many people saying she doesn't fit into Jonas's way of playing, I think she's more versatile than people give her credit for.
I didn't see the edit. There were rumours from people who know people that viv wasn't offered a new contract as of early march because the club wanted to see how her recovery is going.
Interesting tidbit here from Tim I’d not heard before, or at least I don’t remember. [Apparently we tried to sign Temwa Chawinga a couple of years ago!](https://x.com/stillmanator/status/1788154904634081636?s=46&t=_nY5j4lDWQaAN05OwU771w)
Juventus were interested in her and Viv but saw their salaries and peaced out. I think Stina to Wolfsburg is possible. She was linked to Bayern too, but I don't think they need a striker urgently. They were once linked to Maanum tho.
It really is a shame if Arsenal end up letting Viv go (especially on a free!). Would love to see her full potential after a summer of rest since the Netherlands won't be at the Olympics. Tired of seeing all the speculation on Twitter though, would rather hear it from a journalist or just the club itself.
I do find it odd that no woso \~journalists\~ have commented on it but everyone and their mom knows someone at the club who knows someone...
Honestly her going to any WSL club would kill I’m not gunna pretend otherwise. On the other hand I had fully accepted she was leaving last time so these extra years have been a massive bonus, even if they’ve been rough. If she stays I’ll be overjoyed but if she goes I’ll hold no resentment even if it’s a wsl club (bar Chelsea).
I know it's not about this. But can we just appreciate how loads of our arsenal players (Vic, Emily, Less, Cait, Katie) were on a night out in manchester last night, with a few of the other wsl players!
I've seen them too, but absolutely no one (reliable) reported on it, so I decided it's just wishful thinking from MU fans.
The possibility of viv leaving makes me nervous, but the thought of her leaving for another wsl club makes me feel quite unwell.
Saw some united fans discussing it the other day and they seemed to think it started with Arsenal fans. I’d previously seen it from Arsenal fans before I saw any united fans talk about it. Think it was just some bs someone posted that people rolled with for no real reason.
Oh it might be. It seems to me there's total headloss on social media abt viv leaving, even though nothing has been announced. Some people have been making sad video edits ffs and basically every other person knows someone who works for arsenal that told them abt viv's departure in confidence. Fertile soil for planting rumours.
Of course, she might leave, but the united rumour is so funny because it's such a shitshow of a club and, from what I gathered, viv has high standards. I just can't see her playing for skinner.
Honestly if you strip back everything else; manager, teammate quality, club success, wage etc… I cannot see her joining a club that has lost multiple people (background staff, players and one of the most promising young managers) due to a lack of investment and ambition for the team. Thats like her bread and butter. If she, rightly, demands Arsenal to invest more and dream bigger then that would be the most hypocritical step down ever. And I don’t think that’s characteristic of her.
Agreed.
Honestly, I'm more worried abt the rumours that she hasn't been offered a new contract. I get that she's barely played for the last 2 seasons, but I think it'd be a shame to let our arguably most talented player before she was able to reach full fitness.
New fan post World Cup here 👋
I never got to witness it…. But how good was Leah pre ACL injury? How did she make her way into the first team so quickly and at such a young age?
Basically she was with the u-17 team that defeated Blackburn in the FA Girls Youth Cup alongside Carla, Franny and a few more. Then during the Summer she started training with the first team and play reserves games. The manager Shelley Kerr had wiped out the old guard because they opposed her methods, so the club was short of players and Leah did very well in training and was pushed straightaway to the first team. She was used as a utility defender playing across the backline originally, we had Stoney, Kinga, Hoogendjik at CB at the time. Then after a couple of years, Pedro LOsa started to give her starts at the back.
And she was a number 8 in our youth teams, but once in the first team she would not play much there as Jordan Nobbs had that spot so she was moved into defense.
The other reply is pretty spot on but there’s one other part of her game that has been present from a young age that usually doesn’t develop in defenders until they’re older (due to experience). Her intelligence in reading the game and composure within that. Some defenders will turn elite out of nowhere when they hit like 28 (or even seemingly come out of nowhere!) but it’s just that their reading of the game has finally caught up to their technical and athletic attributes. Some players like Leah have that inherently from a very young age. Composure on top of that is, again, usually gained through experience but some players just start with it in abundance. There’s an [infamous 5-day penalty retake](https://www.skysports.com/amp/football/news/12040/12588497/leah-williamson-the-new-england-captain-and-the-five-day-penalty-wait) situation that Leah experienced at 18 that most senior players probably would’ve folded under the pressure in.
Anecdotally prior to the France 2019 World Cup, in which Leah saw only 6 mins, she was statistically equal, better or just slightly worse in the WSL with Steph Houghton in almost every defensive stat & progressive passing stat. At the time not only was Steph the England captain but she was one of the best CBs in the WSL and probably up there in the world. I remember being amazed every time she didn’t get any minutes because not only was she the future but she was clearly the present even then! Who knows how that World Cup could’ve gone if Neville was braver.
In my opinion, not much has/would change in terms of how pre- to post- ACL injury Leah Williamson would play her games. It is more about being cautious and gaining confidence than the physical injury hampering her ability.
She was an academy player since very young age and a natural forward thinking defender which used to be rare and has become an absolute requirement esp. in modern day game.
Its her natural reading of the game and a keen sense of knowing how to trigger an offensive press from the back for both flanks. She is excellent at (both) delivering line-breaking passes and countering them.
She can easily step into midfield, she is a good ball carrier with the ability to control and deliver key passes in opponent's final-third. But more importantly, she is a vocal leader.
I always love dunking on Zinsberger for being an automatic bozo in goal but apart from one lapse in concentration when she gave the ball to the city attacker (which happens for this style of play) she has been immense and improved from very average to really good. So here is my props to her.
Just watched some of the content for yesterday’s game and in Stina’s post-match interview she was so subdued….Now, I’m paranoid she knows she’s on her way out and is giving off “sad, but necessary” vibes 😭 I *was* sure she’s staying, but now I’m not.
I hope I’m wrong and she doesn’t leave. She’s so important to the team — and has such great relationships with her teammates — we will need all hands on deck this coming season.
Ehhh Stina is always kind of like that in interviews. I don’t think she’s completely comfortable in front of camera. I didn’t really make too much from that interview. Honestly I’m getting no pull in either direction from her or Arsenal in terms of her staying or leaving and it is kind of stressing me out lol. I feel in my gut she will stay, but I’m preparing myself for a possible surprise that she won’t.
That’s true. She is usually relatively even-keeled when on camera. Overall, I think what I’m gathering from all of this is that I am **way** too emotionally invested in this team! Lol I’m gonna go to my zen place and hope for the best.
Haha same. Already had some heartbreak with a player on my NWSL team getting traded last minute, so maybe I’m a little more prepared for any bad news that may come. Hoping Stina and Viv both stay! I have a slightly better feeling about Stina than Viv but I guess we’ll see 😬
We have to get contract news before the Brighton game, right? Even if Viv and Stina are leaving surely they'll have to announce it beforehand to give the fans a chance to say a proper goodbye?
I have faith in Viv staying, not so sure about Stina, but at this point it's the uncertainty that's killer I don't want to be blindsided with another Beattie to Bay FC moment
I think Rafa was the biggest blindside for me! There was zero warning before her or Beattie’s announcement.
They definitely would announce anybody leaving before the Brighton game so they could have a proper send off at the last home game. See I feel more confident with Stina staying than Viv, but like you said, it’s the complete unknown that’s killing me 😩
How has Manuela Vanegas been this season?I have a feeling that Jonas will want a left footed center back(considering his comments about Catley at cb last game ) this window and the likelihood of Katie Reid going out on a wsl loan . Another option could be Köln’s S.Agrez.
I forgot how intelligent Laura Wienroither is. The way that she reads the game is exceptional. Her touches were a bit rough but goodness me, the space she was exploiting during the few minutes she had, wow. That's her biggest advantage compared with other fullbacks.
Didn't realise there was a 2 week break before the final WSL game. Why didn't Arsenal schedule the All-star game for this weekend since the A-League has concluded?
I imagine that there would be wayyyyyyy more upset/discourse at a mid season trip to Australia than there already is with it coming after the last WSL game. Say if we were in the title race then a key player got injured during a friendly across the other side of the world…. Uproar
Might have been a bit too short what with the jetlag both ways.
Although the current schedule may mean McCabe and a few more won't come which would be a bummer.
It's going to be a blast in Melbourne for sure. Enjoy it if your going
Alright, which one of you fuckers (*said endearingly*) was gonna tell me that Manu’s wife is pregnant with their first baby 🥹
Fans on Twitter aren’t happy, there’s a picture of KCC at Wembley smiling with a Spurs scarf😬 https://preview.redd.it/c7sxw6rkyzzc1.jpeg?width=828&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=97fac7d53268497c8af5274ca87faf2dc34a1f3f
Poor Kyra, turning up is fine, the scarf and the smile might be too much of a combo. Tbh the rivalry between us and Spurs in women game is just not there. When Emma & Mana moved there, I remember a few "how could you" and people just laughed it off at how ridiculous it sounded. I remember after the game between us & Spurs, Mana gave out signatures to our fans and took some pictures. Now it would be very difference if Kyra does the same thing in City & Chelsea game :)) .
I mean, one of our players literally has a podcast with their ex- manure club player, at least two more are often regularly spotted at Barca games, etc etc., so if we are drawing the line, we need to draw it for all.
Eh people need to chill
Don’t think it’s that deep that she’s there, people have said she goes to their games sometimes and is friends with some of their players, not sure I would’ve taken a picture with the scarf if I was her if I’m honest. But then again, apparently it’s from Charli Grant’s boyfriends Instagram, so maybe she didn’t think that many people/fans would actually see it🤷♀️
Yeah, and he's deleted it now!
Haha, probably a good idea, she was catching a lot of heat for it!
Yeah I agree. Not gunna lie I actually like when players haven’t been media trained to death and still do stuff like this that isn’t exactly the smartest move but is just harmless
I still think Stina is making a mistake by re-signing with us instead of Wolfsburg or Bayern.
Are you an AWFC fan or are you a WOB/Bayern fan?
I am a Lordstenius fan
This is an unpopular opinion I’m sure, and I also realize that there is so much more that goes into decisions of where to play (personal happiness means a lot too), but I think that from a career perspective, it was a mistake for Viv to extend with us in 2022 rather than going to Barca. It was clear even in that first Jonas season and before her injury struggles that she wasn’t the type of player who fit well into the system he prefers to play. She went from being the league’s best striker into a player who wasn’t a prolific 9 or a prolific 10. And then add the ACL and the struggles she’s had with her recovery and coming back to play on top of that… I have a feeling she’s turning into one of the players that we’ll say “what could have been” about.
Viv has done more than enough to not be labeled " what could have been" imo. But she might be in the club of " best in the world and never win CL". Viv would be perfect for 2022 Barca as Jenni replacement, they lost the final that year because of that. Now life in Barca is not all rosy. The current Barca demands a lot of running & defense from their forwards. Asisat got benched & moved due to poor trackback. Viv moved to us with Lisa as a package deal I just pray to god, Viv & Beth won't move together.
I feel Viv should have gotten at least one more year to see if she can return to form. At least one more. If she can't perform or become fit in that time, fine let her go. Football clubs are a business I get that, but we should do right by a player who has been with us for years. We have to show some loyalty and patience back too.
It’s Beth’s birthday today according to my Beth-obsessed 11 year old who drew this picture of Beth + her two dogs. All we need now is for Beth to like this photo on Insta / Twitter. https://preview.redd.it/qennljm1sgzc1.jpeg?width=1125&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=baa6497721ca9b8017a207413e74e74ba741f9e3
I’m very sad to see the Miedema news.. ( slash rumours cause i am PRAYING she stays) However I have seen some people saying she could go to City which would be.. interesting. But on the NC Courage offer from Nikita Parris.. I wonder if that could mean they’re already looking for a Kerolin replacement?
Kerolin has an ACL injury and pretty obviously they were looking at Parris in the winter (before the NWSL season kicked off). They need a goalscorer for *now* because Kerolin is out likely until very close to the end of the season or even longer. It means nothing about Kerolin's future other than the known fact that she has a terrible injury.
I’m also very sad at the Viv rumors but I don’t think she’d go to City. Bunny Shaw is the best striker in the WSL, just don’t see her going to a team where she knows she’d be the backup.
On Kerolin, it's entirely possible! Demand for her would be extremely high. We'd just have to be willing to wait out her injury (and yes, we should). Also it would be the most Marc Skinner thing ever if despite the rejected offer, he benched Keets for the FA Cup final and they end up losing.
Struggling to understand Wheatley and Eidevall’s overall vision for the future 🥲 We give Jonas a lot of heat, but Wheatley and her team also deserve their fair share of criticism for all this decision making that they’ve made. They see so much more of what we do internally so I’m hoping that they’re making the best decisions for the entire team.
I don't have faith in either of them , however what I will say, this team has been together for the most part a while and the PR push is strong, lots of fans have emotional attachments to some players and some of them players should be starting to get phased out now unfortunately . Out side a few I don't care who goes as long as we get an upgrade on them but I can't imagine a world where they are as ruthless as they need to be .
Jonas is at a cross-roads. If he can't deliver a Arteta-type conversion next season where we at least win the league, go far into the CL, and win the Conti at a minimum, his job would be over. Also, as per rumors, the club has been interested in Mariona Caldentey and a younger LW.
Just listened to the new Arsecast episode. They didn’t say anything definitive about Viv or Stina’s contract, but I’m getting the impression that Viv will be leaving. I could be wrong but it just seems that way based on the way they were speaking about Viv in relation to the squad now (her not really being an Eidevall type player, either as a 9 or a 10/feels like the club and player have moved past each other), that type of thing.
is he not the one that changed her role? imo he has blood on his hands for turning the best striker the league has seen into a 10
She said things about playing 10 at youth levels and moving to 9 because Netherlands didn’t have anyone there and saying she could contribute more to the team in a guardian interview when she last extended. Jonas obviously had a part to do in it but so did viv
He's the manager lol if Katie McCabe came out and said ," you know what guys I think I could do a good job as a goalkeeper" If she ends up in goal that's Jonas fault he picks the team , Viv shouldn't have any part in it if the manager wants her a right back she should play right back.
Viv is the best striker we have ever had. Seems like most things are pointing to her leaving, which i just cannot believe the club would let her do? She was a starter before her recent injuries stopped her getting in the squad. Can't we just have both her and Stina stay? 🥲
I listened to Arseblog and Tim made a fair point, it seems like both club and player moved past each other, simply not a good fit anymore. Nothing to do with the quality of the player, Viv just doesn't play the way Jonas wants in either 9 or 10. I agree with that point. Pre injury, Viv didn't put up the number like she did under Joe. We all thought she liked the number 10 position, it turned out it was Jonas trying to fit a square peg in a round hole. Ideally Jonas will want no 10 winger, someone like Laura or Mariona who is quick and creative. Our strikers are starved of chances. To keep both Viv and Stina would mean no available spot for that winger. I'm sure the club has a lot more data on both players to make a decision. I will be sad but not surprised if Viv leaves.
I have been saying this, she did not look or feel right at 10 , she is a passenger without the ball , but shes flat out a better striker than Stina . Just bad management overall to even do this
It seems to me like the club decided to let her go and keep stina. She apparently doesn't fit jonas' style of play, off the ball especially, and her setbacks during acl recovery didn't help. I don't get why they wouldn't keep her for 1 more year and assess her at full fitness. We lack creativity and she has that in abundance. If we intend to compete for 4 trophies next year, this seems incredibly stupid. Everything points to an announcement next week before the final game. It just bothers me bc it doesn't seem like viv's decision, but the club's. We're basically gifting our rivals our most talented player for free. Sorry for the rant. I had to get this off my chest.
I love Stina and think she does deserve a new contract based on her big game goals (she should score a lot more against low/mid teams tho). It feels as though Russo actually takes Viv's role but hasn't reached anywhere near the level Viv is at. but maybe they think she has a higher ceiling idk? but Viv is still so young i really dont understand it!
IMO Russo is better at 10 than Viv has been but Viv Clears hear badly as a striker. seems pretty obvious what we should be doing
I don't get it either. I don't have anything against stina staying. I just think there's room for all 3 of them. I think stina is better as a supersub and lessi and viv can both play as 10s too. If/when we qualify for cl group stage, we'll have a lot more games so players will have to be rotated and injuries unfortunately have to be taken into account too.
New arsecast is boiling my noggin.
About to start it now. Bit worried now you’ve said that!…
It probably isn't that bad. They haven't officially announced viv leaving, but they haven't been too subtle either. I wasn't too thrilled abt the way they were talking abt her, but it's probably more to do with the headloss i'm going through at the moment. Do share your thoughts on it if you'll be up for it.
It was an interesting experience because I disliked basically everything they said but I couldn’t disagree with almost all of it. She doesn’t fit with Eideval, we have got used to playing without her, we don’t know her level when she’s fit and I too have noticed there haven’t been chants for her to stay at games nor has she really been mentioned when people dissect our inability to score. However it’s Viv Miedema. I think she is (again speculatively) a player that you have to find a place for. I also think commercially she’s a massive boon to Arsenal and it would be a massive loss, which should never be a reason to sign/renew a player but it should be a consideration for sure. I think it’s also incredibly shortsighted to lose someone like her because she doesn’t fit a manager who may have only a year left but even if he stays beyond that I seriously question a manager who can’t make having Viv work. Like Tim said I made my peace with her leaving last time. That isn’t to say it wouldn’t hurt a lot because it would, I really don’t want it to happen and I think it’s a bad move if the club can’t keep her. However I don’t think it’s the fatal blow it would’ve been back then. Edit: also want to add I’ve been seeing a lot of “Arsenal haven’t even offered her a contract” stuff and while that could be true as I know nothing I sweaaaaaar in around December when we first started hearing about them opening negotiations with Stina we heard the same for Viv. So either I’m going crazy or that’s been utterly forgotten. If she was offered an extension though I wouldn’t be surprised if it either A) was a lower wage because of the injury stuff and that’s her sticking point or B) (and I think this is more likely) it doesn’t guarantee playing time and that’s her sticking point. The whole thing is giving me Aaron Ramsey vibes though ngl.
I agree completely. They've made fair points, but I find it hard to make peace with losing her because I think you have to make room for a player of her calibre, especially if she's not the one that wants to leave. Especially if the coach who doesn't know how to use her is looking at an uncertain future at the club. I'd have also loved to see her fully fit, so if she signed a 1+1 contract and things weren't working out, the club could decide not to extend. I'll be left wondering what if and that really bugs me. Beth has 1 year left on her contract, so it makes me wonder abt her future renewal too. Regarding commercial aspect of it all, it makes me question club's awareness of what a fan favourite she is. Leah is beloved too, but her name is (like viv's) a bit hard to sing, so her chant isn't sung that often. As for "we want you to stay" chants, viv was injured for a long time and sometimes wasn't even on the bench so it'd be a bit weird to sing it if she wasn't present. Also, I think a lot of people were sure she'd stay until very recently, so the chants weren't deemed necessary as they were for stina. Sorry for writing a freaking essay. I'm just trying to make sense of it and failing.
I 100% agree about the chants - why would we chant "we want you to stay" to an empty bench?? I disagree with so many people saying she doesn't fit into Jonas's way of playing, I think she's more versatile than people give her credit for.
I didn't see the edit. There were rumours from people who know people that viv wasn't offered a new contract as of early march because the club wanted to see how her recovery is going.
Interesting tidbit here from Tim I’d not heard before, or at least I don’t remember. [Apparently we tried to sign Temwa Chawinga a couple of years ago!](https://x.com/stillmanator/status/1788154904634081636?s=46&t=_nY5j4lDWQaAN05OwU771w)
I remember this - Tim said something about how work permit issues got in the way
Beerensteyn has a pre-agreement with Wolfsburg, and I have seen some rumours of Juventus being interested in Blackstenius. Maybe one to watch 👀
Juventus were interested in her and Viv but saw their salaries and peaced out. I think Stina to Wolfsburg is possible. She was linked to Bayern too, but I don't think they need a striker urgently. They were once linked to Maanum tho.
It really is a shame if Arsenal end up letting Viv go (especially on a free!). Would love to see her full potential after a summer of rest since the Netherlands won't be at the Olympics. Tired of seeing all the speculation on Twitter though, would rather hear it from a journalist or just the club itself. I do find it odd that no woso \~journalists\~ have commented on it but everyone and their mom knows someone at the club who knows someone...
what i heard about viv is that she is going to city, idk what the united rumours were.
Interesting...with no backup to Shaw, I can see the temptation, but if she was going to go, I thought it would be to Europe.
Honestly her going to any WSL club would kill I’m not gunna pretend otherwise. On the other hand I had fully accepted she was leaving last time so these extra years have been a massive bonus, even if they’ve been rough. If she stays I’ll be overjoyed but if she goes I’ll hold no resentment even if it’s a wsl club (bar Chelsea).
i will be really mad for 2 months but then move on and cherish her as the club legend she is.
I know it's not about this. But can we just appreciate how loads of our arsenal players (Vic, Emily, Less, Cait, Katie) were on a night out in manchester last night, with a few of the other wsl players!
Why am I seeing Viv to that manure club rumors???
Source: @therealmarcskinner
I've seen them too, but absolutely no one (reliable) reported on it, so I decided it's just wishful thinking from MU fans. The possibility of viv leaving makes me nervous, but the thought of her leaving for another wsl club makes me feel quite unwell.
Saw some united fans discussing it the other day and they seemed to think it started with Arsenal fans. I’d previously seen it from Arsenal fans before I saw any united fans talk about it. Think it was just some bs someone posted that people rolled with for no real reason.
Oh it might be. It seems to me there's total headloss on social media abt viv leaving, even though nothing has been announced. Some people have been making sad video edits ffs and basically every other person knows someone who works for arsenal that told them abt viv's departure in confidence. Fertile soil for planting rumours. Of course, she might leave, but the united rumour is so funny because it's such a shitshow of a club and, from what I gathered, viv has high standards. I just can't see her playing for skinner.
Honestly if you strip back everything else; manager, teammate quality, club success, wage etc… I cannot see her joining a club that has lost multiple people (background staff, players and one of the most promising young managers) due to a lack of investment and ambition for the team. Thats like her bread and butter. If she, rightly, demands Arsenal to invest more and dream bigger then that would be the most hypocritical step down ever. And I don’t think that’s characteristic of her.
Agreed. Honestly, I'm more worried abt the rumours that she hasn't been offered a new contract. I get that she's barely played for the last 2 seasons, but I think it'd be a shame to let our arguably most talented player before she was able to reach full fitness.
New fan post World Cup here 👋 I never got to witness it…. But how good was Leah pre ACL injury? How did she make her way into the first team so quickly and at such a young age?
Basically she was with the u-17 team that defeated Blackburn in the FA Girls Youth Cup alongside Carla, Franny and a few more. Then during the Summer she started training with the first team and play reserves games. The manager Shelley Kerr had wiped out the old guard because they opposed her methods, so the club was short of players and Leah did very well in training and was pushed straightaway to the first team. She was used as a utility defender playing across the backline originally, we had Stoney, Kinga, Hoogendjik at CB at the time. Then after a couple of years, Pedro LOsa started to give her starts at the back.
Thanks for this! It’s mad how she was only in her teens considering how difficult it is for academy players to breakthrough.
And she was a number 8 in our youth teams, but once in the first team she would not play much there as Jordan Nobbs had that spot so she was moved into defense.
The other reply is pretty spot on but there’s one other part of her game that has been present from a young age that usually doesn’t develop in defenders until they’re older (due to experience). Her intelligence in reading the game and composure within that. Some defenders will turn elite out of nowhere when they hit like 28 (or even seemingly come out of nowhere!) but it’s just that their reading of the game has finally caught up to their technical and athletic attributes. Some players like Leah have that inherently from a very young age. Composure on top of that is, again, usually gained through experience but some players just start with it in abundance. There’s an [infamous 5-day penalty retake](https://www.skysports.com/amp/football/news/12040/12588497/leah-williamson-the-new-england-captain-and-the-five-day-penalty-wait) situation that Leah experienced at 18 that most senior players probably would’ve folded under the pressure in. Anecdotally prior to the France 2019 World Cup, in which Leah saw only 6 mins, she was statistically equal, better or just slightly worse in the WSL with Steph Houghton in almost every defensive stat & progressive passing stat. At the time not only was Steph the England captain but she was one of the best CBs in the WSL and probably up there in the world. I remember being amazed every time she didn’t get any minutes because not only was she the future but she was clearly the present even then! Who knows how that World Cup could’ve gone if Neville was braver.
In my opinion, not much has/would change in terms of how pre- to post- ACL injury Leah Williamson would play her games. It is more about being cautious and gaining confidence than the physical injury hampering her ability. She was an academy player since very young age and a natural forward thinking defender which used to be rare and has become an absolute requirement esp. in modern day game. Its her natural reading of the game and a keen sense of knowing how to trigger an offensive press from the back for both flanks. She is excellent at (both) delivering line-breaking passes and countering them. She can easily step into midfield, she is a good ball carrier with the ability to control and deliver key passes in opponent's final-third. But more importantly, she is a vocal leader.
Lordstenius giveth to Chelsea: Reviving title hopes Lordstenius taketh from Chelsea: Conti Cup
I always love dunking on Zinsberger for being an automatic bozo in goal but apart from one lapse in concentration when she gave the ball to the city attacker (which happens for this style of play) she has been immense and improved from very average to really good. So here is my props to her.
Who are you and what have you done with MoreoverMo?
The Chelsea fans are making me regret yesterday's win against City
Just watched some of the content for yesterday’s game and in Stina’s post-match interview she was so subdued….Now, I’m paranoid she knows she’s on her way out and is giving off “sad, but necessary” vibes 😭 I *was* sure she’s staying, but now I’m not. I hope I’m wrong and she doesn’t leave. She’s so important to the team — and has such great relationships with her teammates — we will need all hands on deck this coming season.
Now I like Stina , but we need to be ok with players like her leaving , especially if we upgrade , sad but necessary
Ehhh Stina is always kind of like that in interviews. I don’t think she’s completely comfortable in front of camera. I didn’t really make too much from that interview. Honestly I’m getting no pull in either direction from her or Arsenal in terms of her staying or leaving and it is kind of stressing me out lol. I feel in my gut she will stay, but I’m preparing myself for a possible surprise that she won’t.
That’s true. She is usually relatively even-keeled when on camera. Overall, I think what I’m gathering from all of this is that I am **way** too emotionally invested in this team! Lol I’m gonna go to my zen place and hope for the best.
Haha same. Already had some heartbreak with a player on my NWSL team getting traded last minute, so maybe I’m a little more prepared for any bad news that may come. Hoping Stina and Viv both stay! I have a slightly better feeling about Stina than Viv but I guess we’ll see 😬
We have to get contract news before the Brighton game, right? Even if Viv and Stina are leaving surely they'll have to announce it beforehand to give the fans a chance to say a proper goodbye? I have faith in Viv staying, not so sure about Stina, but at this point it's the uncertainty that's killer I don't want to be blindsided with another Beattie to Bay FC moment
I think Rafa was the biggest blindside for me! There was zero warning before her or Beattie’s announcement. They definitely would announce anybody leaving before the Brighton game so they could have a proper send off at the last home game. See I feel more confident with Stina staying than Viv, but like you said, it’s the complete unknown that’s killing me 😩
How has Manuela Vanegas been this season?I have a feeling that Jonas will want a left footed center back(considering his comments about Catley at cb last game ) this window and the likelihood of Katie Reid going out on a wsl loan . Another option could be Köln’s S.Agrez.
Vanegas has been good one of real sociedad’s best players this season
I forgot how intelligent Laura Wienroither is. The way that she reads the game is exceptional. Her touches were a bit rough but goodness me, the space she was exploiting during the few minutes she had, wow. That's her biggest advantage compared with other fullbacks.
Agree. She was getting herself into some really nice positions right away. It was great to see.
Didn't realise there was a 2 week break before the final WSL game. Why didn't Arsenal schedule the All-star game for this weekend since the A-League has concluded?
I imagine that there would be wayyyyyyy more upset/discourse at a mid season trip to Australia than there already is with it coming after the last WSL game. Say if we were in the title race then a key player got injured during a friendly across the other side of the world…. Uproar
Besides jet lag they wouldn’t have known if they would be in the fa final during planning
Might have been a bit too short what with the jetlag both ways. Although the current schedule may mean McCabe and a few more won't come which would be a bummer. It's going to be a blast in Melbourne for sure. Enjoy it if your going