It’s been a whirlwind month or so for Amanda Ilestedt. The 30-year-old centre-half joined the Gunners from PSG during the summer, before travelling to Australia and New Zealand to compete in the World Cup for Sweden.
There she helped herself to four goals and the bronze ball as the Swedes finished 3rd in the tournament. After just over a week off, she was back with her new club preparing for a UWCL qualifier in her native Sweden.
Arseblog News asks Ilestedt whether anything has had a chance to sink in with Arsenal set to play Linkoping in a crucial UWCL qualifier today.
‘It’s been really good, everyone has treated me so well,’ she replies. ‘It’s been really good to be with the team and see everything and get to know the players.
‘Obviously it has all been really quick because the World Cup was not that long ago! But it’s just so great to be here and to get started.’
Ilestedt is the third Swedish member of the playing squad along with Lina Hurtig and Stina Blackstenius, with Head Coach Jonas Eidevall and setpiece coach Patrick Winqvist also from Sweden. Frida Maanum also played in the Damallsvensken and new assistant coach Renée Slegers played and coached in the country.
Ilestedt tells Arseblog News she spoke with her international teammates Blackstenius and Hurtig before making the move from PSG during the summer.
‘Yeah we spoke a bit, I asked them how it is and what their feeling is here. They only said good things about Arsenal and the environment here. That was a big part of my decision and so far I can see they were right.’
The Gunners play Linkoping at 4pm UK time, the match will be streamed live on Arsenal.com.
Another 4 goals today would be handy! Seriously though she looks a very useful addition to the squad, decent in defence and a threat at setpieces.