Arsenal boss Jonas Eidevall says that the qualities of Lia Walti have caused him to adapt some of his own ideas about his team’s style of play.
Walti was the first signing of the Joe Montemurro era in 2018 and signalled the move to the Australian’s brand of possession football. Under Eidevall, Walti has been asked to play a slightly more front footed role on the left of central midfield, alternating with Kim Little when it comes to playing at the base of the midfield.
Walti extended her Arsenal contract last week and continues to be one of the squad’s most influential players. Eidevall says that the Swiss international captain has adjusted to his ideas but has also caused him to adjust some of his.
“When you see her play and when you spend time with her, you see she has qualities both on the pitch and off the pitch to make a great team,” Eidevall told Arseblog News in his pre-Everton press conference.
“She has adaptability and versatility in her game so she can adapt to new ideas. She is an exciting player to work with because, sometimes, as a coach you work with a player who makes you adapt your own ideas.
“You see she has some unique qualities that you really want to utilise. It has been both in the two years we have worked together. She has adapted to some of my ideas and I have adapted too to some of her qualities.”
The Gunners travel to Walton Hall Park tomorrow evening to take on Everton. With the announcement that next season, Arsenal will increase the number of WSL home games they play at Emirates Stadium, Eidevall says the club will not relax and assume big crowds will be something to take for granted.
New: Arsenal Women to play five WSL games at the Emirates next season https://t.co/2MLfY8bFhS #arsenal #afc pic.twitter.com/s4pbgo81gx
— arseblognews (@arseblognews) May 10, 2023
“It is like performances, you can never relax and think that things will take care of themselves. This season it is a combination of having a team of players who are a great advertisement- because they are the main attraction to come to the stadium.
“But also, the whole club and a lot of people work behind the scenes with advertising and reaching out and making people aware of the game and having good strategies to get people through the doors, that will have to continue as well.
“It’s not something that has come for free and it isn’t like that in the future either, everyone in the club needs to work hard and be committed to it. If, together, we can do that I am sure we will get some great attendances as well, but only if we all work as hard as we have done this season.”
JE learning from and about players again and using the knowledge to inform his coaching. I absolutely love this.
Lia Walti took a little time to adapt to the new role and the more physical style but she has nailed it. Great article. I see that Foord and Catley are back for tomorrow – hurrah!
Just with the Refs would protect her more. She gets hammered a lot.
Was thinking that as well, I know she’s playing in a position where that’s going to happen, but she must be our most fouled player
Meado was definitely our most fouled player but hopefully by the time she’s back the opposition will have forgotten that they have to take her out of every game!
Doesn’t mean to say I’m not a great fan of Wally though! It scares me witless every time I see her hit the deck with no protection from the referee.
She does get singled out for “the treatment” by the opposition, doesn’t she?
The fact that she got injured during the next match after this comment…