Katherine Kuhl made her first start for Arsenal on Sunday afternoon, scoring a goal in the process during Arsenal’s 9-0 win over Leeds United in the FA Cup.
Arseblog News asks Katherine how it felt to finally get some minutes for the club this week, as a substitute in the Conti Cup win over Aston Villa and on Sunday against Leeds, after signing for the club earlier this month.
“I am very happy and thankful to get these minutes, it means a lot and I haven’t played for a while because of the winter break, so it feels really good to get going.
“It was a nice game to come into today, I have great teammates who really helped me on the pitch. The whole day was just really nice.”
At 19, Kuhl is considered one of the best teenage talents in women’s football, signed from Nordsjælland, Arsenal faced a lot of competition for the signature of the creative midfielder. I ask Katherine about the move to Arsenal.
“I needed to focus on finishing the season with Nordsjælland (in November). That was important to me to really focus on that and not to think too much about anything else and get that done.
“But then, of course, we got some conversations going and I really think Arsenal is a great club, with great players and really great girls here and this felt like the best move for me.”
Recently, Arsenal have boasted a lot of Danish players in their ranks, Janni Arnth and Katrine Veje were a part of the 2018-19 title winning squad, while experienced defender Simone Boye was at the club last season but Kuhl explains that she didn’t necessarily seek their counsel before deciding to move to Arsenal.
“Actually not that much, I had talked with them before about Arsenal and they always had good things to say, so I guess a little bit but not that much actually.”
In the Arsenal Women Arsecast earlier this month, Danish journalist Amalie Bremer described Katherine as a creative midfielder with an eye for a pass and an excellent technical pedigree. I ask Kuhl whether she sees her creativity as her best quality.
New: Arsenal Women Arsecast Episode 55: Kuhlcast https://t.co/hGubWKLWGN #arsenal #afc pic.twitter.com/rhWW4zenXd
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“That’s always the hardest question to answer! I think I have a good overview of the pitch and everything that is going on and seeing the small pockets.
“I like to play in those small pockets and turn and I like to play those through balls in behind for the strikers. I would say those are my biggest qualities.”
Kuhl plays in a similar way and in a similar role to Gunners captain Kim Little and Kuhl says she is already taking notes from the 32-year-old Arsenal legend.
“It’s amazing to train with Kim, she is such a good player and I have already learned so much from her. I feel very lucky to train with her and today I got to play with Kim.
“But it’s not just Kim, there are so many great players here and I have taken so much from them already, it’s really great for me.
“There are so many good players here that you feel like you need to kind of follow them and I am really happy to be here playing with some of the best players in the world.”
Following her goal, the second in a 9-0 win, Kuhl celebrated with her new housemate Gio, who rejoined the club from loan at Everton during this month.
Pelova with the assist for this one. pic.twitter.com/Kha1uvdw6H
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“I have been good friends with Gio since the beginning and we just made a little handshake, it only took us a few minutes to come up with but we talked about doing this when one of us scored. Luckily I scored today so we could celebrate together.”
I wonder where she’ll play when she’s settled. She looks so technically gifted but I can’t see her playing as an 8 or a 6 cause she’s liable to a mistake in midfield because of lack of experience. But we have a few players that can play as a 10. Hopefully we find a way to utilise and develop her.
I do see what you mean, but IMO it’s not worth worrying about eventual positions in such a young player. A baby Beth Mead, maybe? She’s got that X factor, which is the main thing. And she couldn’t ask for a better mentor than Kim Little.
I see her as Kim’s eventual replacement. Can she take penalties? Fortunately for Katherine, Kim is still around and playing as well as she ever has so that the ropes can be learnt while gaining experience.
At first glance she seems potentially our magnificent Captain’s eventual replacement, but let’s not get ahead of ourselves as Katharine has only newly joined Arsenal.
She certainly couldn’t hope for a better mentor than Kim, who is also a role model / inspiration to most of the squad players.
I thought Katherine’s full debut was very mature and she certainly showed some of the talent she is known to have. An excellent acquisition, welcome to Arsenal.
What you said before was fair enough, though – Kuhl loves to try things and take risks and the downside of that is that she will give the ball away at times. That is no slight on her – she’s a young creative player. We will give her space to make mistakes while at the same time help her to develop her judgment. Which is where Kim comes in. She knows when to hold ’em and she knows when to fold em!
Brilliantly articulated Mr Fun Gunner.