Arsenal midfielder Jordan Nobbs made her 250th Arsenal appearance last weekend in the 4-2 victory over Birmingham City, after nearly 12 years at the club.
Some Gunners fans expressed dissatisfaction that a landmark appearance for a club legend was achieved via a stoppage time cameo role. Arseblog News asked Jonas Eidevall about this in his pre-Brighton press conference on Friday afternoon.
“In general, I don’t think you can afford to be sentimental about anything like that,” Eidevall explained. “In essence, it is about winning football games. Making 250 appearances for a club like Arsenal is an amazing achievement.
“There are only seven players in the history of Arsenal Women who have done that and we have two of them in the squad at the moment in Kim and Jordan.
“When you look at representing a club like Arsenal 250 times, sometimes you will have full minutes, sometimes you might have a bad game and maybe even been subbed off.
“Sometimes you will come on and save the team. 250 games will consist of everything and in football it is impossible to pre-plan. The reason why you reach 250 games for a club is because you are a great team player.
A true club legend.
An outstanding midfielder.
An inspiration to all Arsenal fans.We're so proud of you, @JordanNobbs8 ❤️ pic.twitter.com/MC2q3DrZvE
— Arsenal Women (@ArsenalWFC) March 6, 2022
“It’s because you put your team’s interest first, otherwise you cannot stay at a big and brilliant club like Arsenal for that many games. That is Jordan Nobbs.
“I understand if people are upset because she didn’t play enough minutes because they feel like she has given the club and the team so much, that’s because she is a great team player and that’s why we value her so much.
“I hope people can understand and see that and for us, it’s always about winning and it’s the same for Jordan, it’s all about the team for her. Sometimes that involves you starting, sometimes that involves you coming in later in the game. That’s football. All of us close to the team accept that.”
I asked whether Jonas had spoken about it with Jordan in advance of her appearance or subsequently. “No, not at all. Jordan and I speak a lot, like I do with all the players. We speak about how we can improve and how to develop, that’s where the focus is to make her as good as possible and the team as good as possible.”
The fact that he had to explain is mind-boggling. This stan culture is annoying because even if a certain player has been out of form or unfit for months, you still get people complaining. Nobody deserves to play because of ‘status’ or achievements. Arsenal is a top club and if you’re not performing, there are two other players that can take that position. This is not directed to any player specifically.
I think I lean more to your side on this but, tbf, I don’t think the annoyance was about Jordan not playing much at the moment but more the specifics of bringing her on as a time wasting 93rd minute sub on her 250th. It didn’t annoy me that much but it did lots of people and I think that’s understandable even if you can’t get there.
Sorry but a bunch of BS from Jonas. He did Jordan wrong. I would be heartbroken to see her leave arsenal but Jordan needs to go to a team that would appreciate her
Yeah I get the whole “its a squad game” ethic and sentimentality doesn’t win titles thing BUT we are talking about respecting someone who has given 12 years of magnificent service to the Club (and I hope she continues to do more). In the instant I can understand this not being on Jonas’s mind but just as Jordan was taking her warm up top off Caitlin rattled in the fourth goal to settle the nerves so the need for a time wasting substitution had passed. I just hope that some thought is put into REALLY respecting Jordan’s achievement. A presentation… Read more »