Welcome to a brand new episode of the Arsenal Women Arsecast, the number one podcast about Arsenal Women.
In this month’s mailbag episode, Tim, Pippa and Alex take reader questions on whether Arsenal can say they have made progress this season without a trophy, why Arsenal have struggled to create chances in the big games, Jordan Nobbs, Kim Little, the conflict between making WSL games attractive for TV audiences versus making them accessible to match going fans, how an LAW five-a-side team might shape up, questions on Noelle Maritz’s future and much more!
You can follow Tim on Twitter @Stillberto, Pippa @pippa_monique and Alex @alexibaceta23
https://twitter.com/stillbertoIf you are a regular listener via iTunes, if you would be so kind as to leave a review/rating that would be greatly appreciated.
I just heard Alex say: “I’m not sure the 9 is Miedema’s best position.” What? Hello! Does she know how many goals Miedema as scored as a 9–or that she’s very likely going to be the game’s all-time goal-scorer, and comfortably so? She’s one of the most prolific center-forwards in the game–arguably THE best ever. She had 10 goals in the Olympics. She’s led the WSL twice in goals. She’s scored 92 goals for The Netherlands NT in 108 games! So, yea, the 9 is her best position–and it’s astounding that anyone would suggest otherwise. It’s become pretty clear, IMO,… Read more »
As always great podcast !!! I think having Viv as a number 10 works on some games but we sacrifice her being a goal threat as she is just that bit further away from the goal which can make the difference against the big teams.
He clearly does not rate Mana or Jordan which is a shame…
I think overall the team has progressed and is harder to beat as we can see against the other big teams, but sometimes Jonas’ tactics/squad rotation can be very confusing. The summer transfer window will be very interesting, lots of moving parts !!!!
Kim and the other players do seem to look for the option to pass forward but if there is no good pass option they pass it backward to start to build again. Unfortunately this season they don’t see the pass more often than not (mostly because there isn’t a good option but a few times because they don’t see the good option that is there). Either they are not yet used to a new system of positioning and movement that is supposed to create options for the pass or the system is actually not good enough to create these options.… Read more »
Agree with what Alex said about it being other players – not just Kim – passing backwards a little too frequently, but I wonder if this is still due to a perception (if not a tactic) among the players that Leah especially is the player more likely to spot and make the right pass/run forward?
I think it is an eyesight issue that comes with being an Arsenal coach! Everyone else can see that we break defensive lines only to pass backwards and have to do it again once the defense has got back into position except if you are coaching the team. I have said this for ages. Now and again, from an opposition corner / free kick, get Manu to hoof the ball half way into the opposition half and let Stina chase it! We now have the No.9 to do that but we are still entrenched in this everything out from the… Read more »
Be sad if Jordan does leave in the summer but they are not exactly making her feel welcome.
250th appearance came and went without any real acknowledgement of the achievement and she cannot even get minutes when we are 2-0 down in an FA Cup semi final with substitutions to spare!
Not playing for her club is not going to help her in national team selection for the forthcoming Euros or World Cups either and these are potentially the last chances she will have for these competitions.
As far as the Euros are concerned, she has been in recent squads, and arguably is above Katie Zelem in the midfield pecking order. Wouldn’t surprise me at all if she’s selected this summer, especially as Wiegman seems to like a little experience in the squad, and (on form) she does offer something different to the other midfielders. Longer term (World Cup) may be different, but there’s no outstanding candidate yet from say the under 23s.