Arsenal Women Gun For Glory

by .

One of the pleasures that comes with creating content about Arsenal is meeting people that are crazy talented and all they want to talk about is The Arsenal. Guest blogger Demian and I have been meeting for a few years, last time we hung out I watched him play percussion for the Jonas Brothers in Brooklyn. He warned me to bring earplugs, I was like, errr, been to Wembley mate, reckon I can handle this… oh my, was I wrong. I’ve never heard shrieks like it. He wears elite jackets and one of his major loves is the women’s game. He asked if I’d write about the game this weekend, instead, I threw it over to him. Enjoy the piece and give him a follow on @DemianArriaga.

Just like you, I LOVE ARSENAL.

But sometimes, I need a little reminder here and there.

I am a proud Venezuelan gooner who fell in love with Ian Wright watching him on old VHS tapes before I even had any idea what club he played for. That summer I saw Dennis Bergkamp score THAT goal against Argentina and when I saw on my Panini sticker book that he played for Arsenal, I just knew that was my team. Oh, that and the JVC logos which were the same from my stereo which became the single most important object in my life, as I later became a professional musician.

The post-Wenger era was just as difficult for me as during his latter years. I wasn’t really enjoying the matches, always expecting the worst and found myself tweeting more during the gameplay than watching the TV. Even still I would wake up at 4am here in Los Angeles if I had to. Game not on? I would listen to on the radio or try to find a feed. If not, I would open a live score app and refresh that sucker every 5 seconds.

However, the reality was that I was falling out of love with Arsenal. I didn’t feel like I was connecting with the players or with the Manager and style of play. There was so much fan division that even living in the USA, aka very far away from London, I was feeling alienated.

No. 10s that couldn’t hold a candle to Dennis and still no DMF since PV4 left. We all know that and to a degree I can come to terms with that because it’s on us. Nobody else. But beyond that, the absurd wages football wide, the racism, the corruption, the drama and all the things we love to hate, it was just becoming too much. Perhaps if Arsenal were doing great I might have conveniently exercised my selective amnesia but honestly my friends, I was just getting overwhelmed.

Then last summer it all changed. During the Women’s World Cup, a Dutch player made me fall in love with football and more importantly with ARSENAL FC, harder than ever before. The Notorious DVD aka Danielle Van De Donk. She instantly became my favorite player, let alone my favorite female one. Her poise, her control, her bite, her vision. She had it all. When the commentator mentioned she played for our club I felt like I had found something I was missing for who knows how long. I felt whole. Complete. It all made sense again. Later I came to find that the greatest and most prolific striker in the game was also our player. Then one of the Dutch’s most impactful subs who could start in any team, would be ours later that summer.

I was hooked. And I hadn’t even seen them play!!! I went online and started watching past matches, hearing interviews, and studying the history just like I had once done it 22 years ago. This is a team that has so much history, unlike any other in Europe and the current squad is very special.

Last season they were pure joy to watch and if it hadn’t been for COVID they could’ve won the WSL title. I wanted that, I yearned for that, and I had it all along. Right in front of me. I didn’t follow the when they won the CL or the league or countless FA cups… and I’m ashamed of that to be fair.

Not fully related but I recently tweeted out at TalkSPORT, mentioning how I wasn’t a Londoner but loved Arsenal since 98 and Goughie and Adrian basically called me a glory hunting fan, and even though I was bothered by it and thought it was harsh, I think they might have a point. Yes, I seek glory, don’t we all?

And that is the point… we have it. WE HAVE IT. And I’m not talking about 89 or the Invincibles. I’m talking about Arsenal Women.

We have the joy and privilege of witnessing some of the world’s best athletes right at our club. You want “one of our own” then look no further than Leah Williamson, a better defender than any at the men’s squad. A Dutch genius on the ball who can make time stop and also not be bullied? We got DVD. English, stylish with flair AND engine, a forward who can bend it like Becks? Beth Mead. Want a left-footed full back, that puts in glorious crosses and rough tackles, who tucks their shirt in? Katie McCabe. The deadliest, most fear inducing centre forward on planet earth? Miedema.

The list goes on and on and on.

We are truly privileged at Arsenal FC and supporting that badge to me means supporting all of it. Not just half.

I understand you may have apprehensions, or don’t think they have the quality that the men possess, etc and I’m not here to argue. I will say you will never ever see Jill Roord, Kim Little, Jordan Nobbs or Lia Walti not give anything less than 110%.  If you value commitment, pride, love for the crest and victory through harmony, all you have to look is at our Women’s squad.

They love each other and fight for each other and they are without a shadow of a doubt the most tight-knit AFC squad I’ve seen since the Invincibles.

So, although I’m not trying to convince you, give them a shot.

Saturday is massive, as they play their Champions League quarter-final tie against PSG and we must show up for them, online, virtually and in every which way possible.

Don’t we want to be the best fanbase we can? Not be compared to any others but just to feel good about how we treat our own?

I encourage you to watch the matches, follow the players, support them and buy they Merch. Not because they need it, but because it’s our team too. Also, because they are worth it.

They play outstanding football. They just do and more than anything, they LOVE our Arsenal.

And I love them.

Good luck to the team tomorrow!

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Boomslang

Boom

Boomslang

2

Boomslang

3

Boomslang

Trofee

grooveydaddy

Tr4phy

grooveydaddy

Bollox

TallestTiz

Late to the party

azed

First 11

curse

laca bloodclart zette

curse

ffs un. now I’m ozil!! yuk

Left testicle

Test

Left testicle

Why are my comments disappearing?

Kesses+gunner

No 11

Left testicle

Censored?

Jamie

Nice guest piece. I started watching Arsenal Women during the Wenger banter years. Decent standard and consistently win trophies.

Left testicle

North

Jamie

Left –

Either you’re using a banned word, or Pedro doesn’t like your content.

Left testicle

Korea

If I don’t post after this you know I’ve been banned. Laters.

Left testicle

It wasn’t offensive.

GillespieRoadNoMore

Interesting that the Un nai nai comment disparaging the thrust of this post has disappeared, it won’t be missed by me.

Has anyone seen the recent Just Giving campaign for a young woman called Hannah who is trying to raise funds to finance her studies whilst also training as part of the Womens team setup at London Colney?

https://www.justgiving.com/crowdfunding/hannah-harris-5?utm_term=mMm7NXw8z

She has achieved her target but I think she has underestimated what she needs. I made a donation and intend to follow her progress @ Arsenal.

Left testicle

So is Un banned?

Sid

MorayAugust 21, 2020 11:49:08
Are they sure it was Maguire? It could be any thick Inglo hooligan Lunk on holiday…Is Don/Un nai in Greece?

Mr Serge

Being a long term gooner and having watched thousands of games I can honestly say I have never watched an arsenal ladies game to me it’s not even the same sport
I could not even name one female football player
It’s not sexist it just not do anything for me at all

Tom

Valentin
The Arsenal Legend Tours would be so much more profitable if they included the LeGrove version of CG instead, sharing his wisdom with the young fans.
Sorry Freddie L, your opinions make too much sense to make the cut lol.

Mr Serge

LT I just think that it’s going to happen from what I am reading I don’t think we will miss out on Gabriel

Mr Serge

Don’t think UN is banned pedro would normally warn someone

Left testicle

What was the gist of Un’s deleted comment.

Mr Serge

I never saw it LT

Tom

“What was the gist of Un’s deleted comment.“

Without seeing it my guess would be ….
“All lives …..matter?”

R.S.P.C.Arsenal

Serge

Who goes in the CB dept…
Gonna be hard as most are injured.
Maybe January to get rid..?

Vickingz

Signed anyone yet??

Left testicle

I thought it was good! Just childish humor.

Left testicle

I’ll post ‘willy’ at 4am tomorrow morning. 🙂

Left testicle

I struggle with adding value. Has Un been binned?

Left testicle

Hey Pedders,
Does Sid’s comment ^^^^^ add value?

Pepesuave

Likely outcome this summer:
Willian – Done deal
Auba re-signed
Ceballos- Loan return
Gabriel – signed
CM not named Partey signed

Sold/Paid off:
Mikhi – Done
Guendouzi
Sokratis
Torreira
El neny
Kolasinac
One of Mustafi or Holding

I reckon any addition incomings will be subject to an unlikely player not listed above being sold eg. Laca, AMN, Bellerin.

I’d be content with this transfer window

Left Testicle

I suppose it’s a change from banging on about his massive eggplant!

Left testicle

Sid’s comment is excellent value as he tell us it’s for free.

OCGooner

Demian, Great post!! Fellow Cali gooner, who gets up at 0400 for lunchtime fixtures as well (always to an eye roll from the misses when she gets up and sees me sitting there in the dark/TV glow with my Arsenal gear on). Disaffected and fading over the years as well but over the moon with the Cup win and excited to see what Arteta can do. I have never followed the Arsenal women’s team although my wife and I watch a lot of USA and UCLA women’s games (she’s a Bruin). Interested and will check it out. Maybe I can… Read more »

GillespieRoadNoMore

I see that MUFC have declined to pay Harry McGuire bail in full, they have offered to pay in installments with Ighalo as an add-on.

Pepesuave

They should do away with womens football, spend that money on Arsenal legends.
Its indecent for ladies to throw their legs wide no matter their dressing
Women empowerment doesn’t mean supporting women even when they are wrong.
—————-
Surely this comment is a piss poor attempt at comedy?

Just Another Customer

dare I say it?

those who watch women footy is literally a simp

but I won’t miss a CL knock out against PSG

Left testicle

He might get the chance to recreate the 2018 World Cup Love Train in jail.

Left testicle

Don’t drop the soap Harry.

Champagne Charlie

Maguire is the biggest fraud going, fucking awful player that was shamelessly touted on here because he’s English – he’s the Pickford of defenders.

Would be coked off his tits in Ibiza with the lads each summer if he wasn’t a footballer, so coked off his tits in Mykonos it is instead.

Can’t fathom the outrage of this was Pogba.

Champagne Charlie

Greek court statement on Maguire incident: “A case file was opened against the trio [he and his friends] for the occasional offences of violence against officials – court officials, disobedience, bodily harm, insult and attempted bribery of an employee.” #mulive [bbc]

🙂

Champagne Charlie

Our club captain reps the shirt across the world (literally) and spends time with family and friends all over.

Their club captain? Well…

trugun

Been a gunner since 1962 used to turn up at Highbury and pay through the turnstiles went right through the Wenger era and then seven years ago started to watch the ladies at first because they did what no other Arsenal team did at the time they WON. Now I just love their style of play the passion they have to play for the Arsenal. Despite the comments of some neanderthals on here the girls play damn good football ! No good comparing it to the mens game it’s totally different. As for humpty and dumpty on talkshite the pair… Read more »

Batistuta

Stupid comment there Sid

Left testicle

Attempted bribery. Nice. Probably used the ‘do you know who I am’ line as well.

Freddie Ljungberg

https://www.dailymail.co.uk/sport/football/article-8651409/Liverpool-confirm-Alex-Oxlade-Chamberlain-set-miss-rest-clubs-pre-season-programme.html https://www.dailymail.co.uk/sport/football/article-8650347/West-Ham-looking-offload-Jack-Wilshere-pay-wages.html Can’t believe there’s still people* out there that are pining for those 2. Some of the best decisions we made letting both leave. Made of glass and inconsistent as fuck. Ox not quite as bad but still as unreliable as you can get. 1 brilliant game, 10 average and then injured, rinse and repeat. Wilshere should just retire honestly, he’s too broken for football. 6 games in the last 2 years for West Ham and they’re now trying to give him away and pay some of his wages. * ok I lied, it’s not actually people, just Don,… Read more »

Beau nègre

Nice post, remarkable coherence and cohesion, moreso from a Venezuelan. Thumbs up mate!

Freddie Ljungberg

Tom

“The Arsenal Legend Tours would be so much more profitable if they included the LeGrove version of CG instead, sharing his wisdom with the young fans.
Sorry Freddie L, your opinions make too much sense to make the cut lol.”

Think that’s for the best, don’t think I could stand being in the same room as CG for more than 2 seconds anyway;)

Graham62

It always annoys me when I hear people say that players have every right to let their hair down and enjoy themselves. Trouble is, when British players over indulge, they always tend to take it a step too far.

Oh yes, let’s get pissed and be stupid.

A familiar British disease.

Left testicle

You may not agree with Sid’s comments but should we really be censoring them?

Left testicle

I thought you may have compared it to monkey tennis. 🙂

Freddie Ljungberg

Graham

“Oh yes, let’s get pissed and be stupid.A familiar British disease.”

As a Swede I find that statement offensive and non inclusive.

Left testicle

Best recounted the story of how he went on a date with the woman who had just won the Miss World contest. They went to the races and won several thousand pounds. That evening Best and Miss World laid the money out on the bed of their hotel room to count it. At that moment, a hotel waiter knocked on the door to bring them the two bottles of champagne they’d ordered to celebrate. Illustration of George Best. Image copyright battlersandbottlers The waiter, still mindful of Best’s early retirement from football, handed over the champagne, looked at the beautiful Miss… Read more »

Masterstroke

I’m OK with women’s football and if I knew where I could watch it free on TV would be there for our team tomorrow. There’s a good Jordan Nobbs article in today’s Athletic.

Left testicle

Left, I strongly believe in censoring shit content.
…………..
But there would hardly be any comments left!

Freddie Ljungberg

“Left, I strongly believe in censoring shit content.”

And this kids is why Pedro wouldn’t survive a day in the comments section without the ban hammer. You just can’t leave yourself that wide open. Someone mentioned dropping the soap before, this is that.

Sid

BatistutaAugust 21, 2020 15:04:27
Stupid comment there Sid

Explain to me like a 5 year old why its stupid.
We are pushing women empowerment with the wrong tools,
The manipulation has to stop

CaliGooner

Haha ole 80m mailbox head spent the night in a Greek slammer. I love it.

He went from one disappointment to another. Heard on the radio he got into a fight with other English tourists.

Had to be Liverpool fans giving him the business. Next time turn the other cheek mailbox head. You have a lot more to lose.

Champagne Charlie

“Is that meant as an insult?“

If you want. Was clearly an anecdotal observation of the cultural void in some young British guys. Maguire is patently part of that sort.

No doubt the ‘he’s just having a laugh’ defences are a plenty.

englandsbest

Lovely guest piece, Venezuelan he may be, but he is a compadre, and I know that he will share the new fervour that Mikel has brought.

And he is dead right – Arsenal is about glory, winning things.

CaliSteve

Great post Demian. I’m a season ticket holder but also shared your late Wenger/Emery-era frustrations, with the performances getting worse and worse consistently, year after year. I remember saying to the guys around me in the East Stand – I want to believe (and I kept paying for the season ticket and always using it and never leaving early) but if I was a Chelsea or Man Utd fan I’d say -“keep believing because you’re delusional – what more evidence do you need?” Kind of came to a head for me at the Man City League Cup Final – standing… Read more »

Jamie

Maguire though.. Slamming shots on bar street in Mykonos and getting into fights with coppers.

“Oi Stavros, i’ll give you 500 quid if you let me and my mates go.”

No worries, this is the kind of crisis through which excellent OGS will expertly navigate.

Northbanker

I enjoyed the post and maybe I’ll make an effort again to engage with the women’s game. Throughout the Wenger decline years (say post 2006) I’ve been conscious that while the team continued to frustrate the Arsenal ladies were winning everything. The problem was always the same – I just didn’t care. I wish I did but I never really have. it’s like winning the FA Youth Cup – it’s nice to have but it makes absolutely no real difference to me. And I’m still of that view – but just maybe i will pay more than a passing thought… Read more »

TR7

Manchester United have advanced their interest in Lille centre-back Gabriel Magalhães, just as it seemed as though Arsenal were on the brink of finally completing a deal for the Brazilian. [Independent] #afc

CG

Cali Steve

“”””Kind of came to a head for me at the Man City League Cup Final – standing in freezing conditions to watch us be completely outplayed. “”””

(hard life being an Arsenal supporter.)

A very rare loss at another Wembley cup final against a team like Manchester City- bankrolled by the UAE government and recently charged for cheating.

The words ,spoilt, entitled ,little and urchin comes to mind.

WengerEagle

United clearly need a CB so may be some something to those murmurings about hijacking the Gabriel deal.

They have CL football to offer, wouldn’t be confident of our chances if they legit wanted him.

TR7

I hope we have an alternate target lined up of we don’t get Gabriel. Can’t be spending so much time pursuing a CB when there is serious work to be done in midfield. If Ceballos doesn’t return, we are talking about 3 new midfielders, 2 at the very least.

englandsbest

My definition of an Arsenal fan:

Someone who has never found a game that Arsenal wins boring
who enjoys a 5-0 victory more than a 1-0 win, but not much more
who takes no comfort in ‘we were unlucky’ or ‘we deserved to win’ or ‘bad refereeing’
nor in ‘we played beautiful football’ or ‘it was good to watch’.

But, win or lose, remains a fan

CaliSteve

CG – The words ,spoilt, entitled ,little and urchin comes to mind.

As I said there was always the guilt as well, but that League Cup final performance was truly shocking. Thanks for the constructive input though. I’ve been there at virtually every home game for over 40 years so reckon I’ve earnt the right to my personal opinion.

CaliGooner

A very rare loss at another Wembley cup final against a team like Manchester City- bankrolled by the UAE government and recently charged for cheating.The words ,spoilt, entitled ,little and urchin comes to mind.

Seems a bit unnecessarily harsh there CG.

CG

Cali Goon and Cali Steve

“””””Seems a bit unnecessarily harsh there CG.””””

Very harsh,
but very fair too.

Luteo Guenreira

The write-up was great except for a one thing, don’t believe for a second that a professional musician was waking up at 4am for anything. One hundred percent more likely you’re still up from the previous night if you’re doing anything at 4am.

UTarse

CG,
Apart from talking utter bollocks, you contradict yourself regularly….

Your usual soundbite about “our wenger” not being backed by KSE And getting cheque book out yet you accuse city by virtue of being bank rolled by the UAE as being cheats ?

Which is it Mr bullshit ?

jwl

My niece and I started watching male Arsenal matches together when she was about eight and I paid no attention to female gunners.

My niece has gotten into women football over the years and she thinks it brilliant. I now watch a few female matches with her every season and I agree with Demian, female football is worth watching, but it is obviously different than male players.

Arsenal women done really well past few seasons, much better than men, they bring titles to club while males fanny about.

Mr Serge

The transfer window will be like no other I am confident we will get the deal done

Champagne Charlie

A Venezuelan that isn’t into rum? Are you sure?

Feverish about arepas though, of that I have no doubt.

MidwestGun

*sigh* Demian literally said he didn’t want to debate the merit of women’s football..but some of you just can’t help yourselves. The point of the article is at times when you live very far away from London and are a fan you have to look for many and different ways to feel connected to Arsenal especially when the team has been struggling. I can certainly relate to that and appreciate the perspective. Of course one of them is reading and commenting on Le Grove and listening to Pedro’s podcast. Which is why I have told Peds probably too many times… Read more »

Mr Serge

Midwest seriously you would watch women’s football over German, Spanish and the rest of Europe ? After all the premier League championship football that’s on ?
There is so much football on that it would be a cold day in hell before I watched the girls play

Wengaball

Lovely write up Demian. Will try and catch the game tomorrow, and maybe start following the ladies.

A few days ago my 9 year old told me there’s one English team still left in Europe. And I was totally puzzled.

Then he says – Arsenal Ladies. Felt so proud!

CaliSteve

Pedro – cheers (and apologies – you were right about Raul). By the end of Arsene I too was disillusioned, but still went because I support Arsenal. The fun was gradually slipping away and continued to do so under Emery – but I still went because I support the Arsenal and can’t imagine not going. Many on here reached the position earlier but I was amazed at the strength of support at the Emirates for Wenger even at the end – I remember a whole section in the East Stand turning on 2 guys with a Wenger Out banner. I… Read more »

MidwestGun

Mr Serge_
No I would watch it in addition though… why is it an either or situation? Is the women’s football going to take up all the available televised channels? I have like 200 I can watch.

CG

Cali Steve

“””””” love what Arsene brought to us,”””””””

your not a little urchin, then

Apologies.

Up 4 grabs now

Is it still joke Friday?

After slaphead was arrested in Greece, Bruno fernandes was on the first plane out to help Maguire with the penalty!

Up 4 grabs now

Apparently the Maguire fight happened on Wednesday somebody hit him from behind, but he’s so slow that by the time he turned around it was Thursday and he hit an innocent person.

Up 4 grabs now

I won’t give up my day job!

Good post, I think a few more people will show more interest in the women’s game. Spoke to quite a few people who have become disillusioned with the men’s game the last few months with money and behaviour of some clubs.

Nelson

Mid

I only watch a football game when I want a team, which I am familiar with, to win. I won’t watch any of the Bundesliga, Serie A, La Liga and Ligne 1. I don’t give a shit which team wins. I would like to follow the Arsenal lady too but my provider, DAZN, doesn’t show women’s football.

CaliSteve

Rumours abound that Wolves have joined S***s in the ‘chase’ for AMN. Yes – we’re short of cash to upgrade the team in other areas, but if we were looking to buy him on relatively low wages for £20m he’d seem a bargain – he brings pace and physicality ( 2 dimensions we are currently short in) and real versatility in that he can play full back or wing back on the left or the right + midfield. His performances under Arteta and particular against Traore, and in the Cup Semi and Final have been very impressive. I’d understand why… Read more »

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