January signing Emily Fox made her WSL debut during Arsenal’s 2-1 win over Everton on Saturday. She spoke to the press post-match, the first four questions are from Arseblog News.
On her impressions of her first few weeks at the club…
I have been amazed at how seamless it has been being here. The girls and the staff and the fans have been so welcoming and it feels like I have been here for a while in a good way. It has only been two and a half weeks, i am really excited and it’s been a lot of fun. I am really enjoying it.
On the differences between the WSL and the NWSL…
It’s only been two games so far so it’s tough to totally judge that but both leagues are really good. In the NWSL there is a lot more transition and maybe more physicality in terms of running. But here it is more tactical, which is a bit different.
On working on her relationship with Beth Mead on the right flank…
I feel like it has been very natural, we both understand the game. Definitely that relationship and not being on the same line, that is so important. We talk a lot during the games to help each other but she is a great player.
On the Everton goal and whether there was a communication issue…
The goal came from a transition and I was higher up so recovering back. When it’s that transitional moment and you’re coming back, the centre-backs have to make a decision and there are a lot of ‘what if?’ Moments. We’ll review it, any goal you could stop the footage way ahead when you are in the opposition half.
On looking ahead to playing at the Emirates for the first time…
I am so excited, it is definitely surreal when i was at the Chelsea game at the Emirates. Being here it is just as loud and rowdy, it’s really special to have a chant. We don’t have that in the US, it is always more like ‘go team!’ Or ‘go defence!’ That has been really fun.
On more USWNT players coming to Europe now…
I always knew I wanted to play overseas, leaning on people i trust it was important to get some experience professionally first in the US before coming over here. Lynsey (Horan) is a great example, she went to Lyon and really enjoyed it and thrived there. For me there are so many UNC (University of North Carolina) players and having that connection and seeing them do it gave me inspiration to come here. I have always wanted to do it and not really scared. I knew it was going to be tough to move here but I always wanted to try it out.
On whether she spoke to US Soccer before making the move…
I think with the national team and the NWSL it’s so different now, before allocation it was much harder which is why so many girls stayed in the NWSL. With Mia (Fishel) and Cat (Macario) there are a lot more girls overseas now, Emma (Hayes) is here too. I think it’s changed and people get it. US Soccer has been very accommodating. I think that’s good and people should be able to move to Europe.
On her new teammates…
They are very communicative and easy to work with. It’s only been two games so there is a lot of time to work together yet and we will have that time to work out what we need to do. I am really happy with the win and we’ll look back at the things we need to improve.
She got bodied a lot. She’s good. But that might be a tiny issue
As Emily says it’s early days but I like what I have seen so far. We certainly have some pace down the right now with Meado in front of her and it appears her first inclination is to see how she can progress the ball forwards rather than turn and pass it back.