A very subjective look into AWFC

There seems to be a very predictable selective amnesia going around the woso community and people are piling on a lot of hate towards LCL. They are being perceived as these big spenders, transfer bullies and blinded by ambition. Although I’m not disputing that nor am I minimizing your opinion about their money, I just wanted to remind those that need reminder that AWFC did it as well. Maybe not at the same scale but we were THE club for a long, long time.

We were the biggest spenders, we are currently the most profitable with the most fans and biggest attendance, etc so this idea that we are just a little club in north London is laughable and we need to get a grip. There might be a very real situation at play which is that we aren’t as interesting for players as we thought we were or think we are. I’m not making that as a assertion nor do I think this is a fact, I’m just adding perspective.

Are we even trying to buy those players that LCL are buying? Another question would be why not? Are you telling me that Diani isn’t good enough for us? Are you having a laugh?? They signed Mapi Leon, why the fuck did we not sign her? When NEED her.

Once again, I feel the board are failing us in a deeper level and I also think they are doing good things, for sure. The reason I’m putting that out there is because sometimes you have to buy players so that other teams don’t buy them and I know I’m over simplifying it all and that’s not how it works usually BUT I’d like to think we should’ve done something more.

There was a time when AWFC had all the best players, and we cannot say that is the reality TODAY when we have players that wouldn’t start for most teams and when we lose Lia, Beth, Viv and Katie.

Every team is getting stronger and I don’t know if we are ADDING much more, so far.

Hope I’m wrong.

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d

One of my favorite things about woso, and just life in general, is learning. That’s what this space has always been for me, learning about the history of the game, culture of the clubs, players and so on. I have no idea who Lisa Baum is. I’ve never heard of her, no clue how good she is, where she plays on the pitch, if she’s left footed or right footed, I seriously have only heard her name but I truly have ZERO knowledge.

Please don’t mistake this for me asking “who the fuck is she???” in a bad way. I’m saying, very loudly, that I know very little about football, clearly. I also don’t follow most players, I don’t really see all posts by AWFC and don’t really invest that much time honestly, specially since Aidan Small isn’t at the club anymore and that is a whooooooole different topic and blog and something that needs to be studied because we all owe that man so fucking much. Talk about an under appreciated person.

What I can tell you is that a lot of people I know are excited about her and that is good enough for me, and these are people who I trust and their judgment is spot on usually… basically what this means is that we both like the same players and dislike the same ones too haha. And literally as I have been writing this blog I was sent a video of her doing some keepy uppies and she looks technically proficient to say the least.

Music stuff real quick…

For those very few of you out there not just reading this, but that happen to like ska-punk, I can share that Streetlight Manifesto has released a new album and I was privileged enough to play percussion once again, making this my 4th album with this legendary band. I did shakers, tambourines, congas, bongos and all kinds of stuff.

You can listen to to it here:

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d

For those of you that don’t know Spanish, I’m here to tell you that “lion” is “leon” and lioness is “leona” and you might be asking yourself why the hell I’m saying this and why would be talking about Mapi on an Arsenal Women Blog… the reason is not what I hinted at yesterday but more about the fact that we have a massive challenge next season.

Forget that it’s LCL for a second and just see it as another team (imagine it was Villa) buy all these players and have a second season with the ones they had already. That’s pretty serious football business. And I don’t know about you but I’m legit worried.

I’m not saying LCL will win the title but I think the have strengthened in areas they truly needed in order to actually compete and I wouldn’t be surprised if they finish 4th next season. Needless to say if for whatever reason they make the CL that wouldn’t technically be allowed because Michelle Kang also owns Lyon, so that’s a whole different thing.

Anyway, enough about other teams, and let’s focus on things that matter more: AWFC and moreover the fact that there wasn’t a big women’s tournament this summer. I cannot express how happy that makes me not because I don’t want them to be active and participate is a global spectacle but because they all need to rest as much as possible. They have all been going non stop for what seems like 10 years and we all know how overloading players leads to injuries and mental health challenges.

Also, we have had half a dozen players leave and no matter how many are bought or come to us, that is a very big number that fundamentally changes a lot of things for AWFC, and we have to hope somehow that its for the better. Not sure how that could ever be without Beth and Katie specifically.

It’s important to keep in mind these changes happen and we need to manage our expectations and assumptions. Easier said than done but such is life and such is football. At the moment my optimism is growing and I hope that Renee finds her best XI within the first 3 matches because if we don’t get 9 points out of 9, we are staring at 2nd or 3rd place at best.

I think we have a better chance at winning the CL than the WSL if I’m totally honest but again, those first matches will be crucial, but we all know that… every single match is crucial of course!

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d

I’m very excited that she is an Arsenal player, I truly am. I have absolutely nothing but positive things to say about her, how she plays, how she speaks and anything and everything in between.

I think she’s going to raise our level for this upcoming season and she will also elevate the club as a whole. Hell, I think the whole league will be better off with her in it and it’s a privilege to have yet another proven winner in the team. Also, she will benefit infinitely from our players, the culture and YOU, the fans.

Speaking of… She said her dad loves Queen and if I had anything to do with it, I would make Under Pressure her song, not when she scores, but what the crowd chants. Ona Batlle but to the tune of “Under Pressure.”

This might be a terrible idea and even though I am a musician, this is not a guarantee that this is valid at all, it might suck and it’s corny and predictable but to be fair I think most songs are cringe. I loved Katie and will do so forever, but We’ve Got McCabe was not great. Sorry, not sorry.

I also think it’s amazing that Barcelona is getting weaker and weaker and other teams are getting stronger so the fear of facing Barca in the future is considerably smaller. I actually think unless they make insane moves this summer they will be in serious trouble, and that doesn’t take a genius to figure out… no Mapi, no Putellas, no Ona, No Salma etc… but that club will have pull for decades to come and from what I’ve heard there are 2 signings that would break the internet, not quite like Alexia but also pretty seismic.

Lyon are stacked again as are City and I will consider this for us if we sign a proper CB that will partner either Leah or Steph when one of them is injured or needs a breather. I’m talking about world class talent like them so until Mapi signs for LCL for sure I will have hope.

Also I would take Alana Kennedy in a heartbeat.

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d

Hey friends,

As I mentioned to you a few days ago, I was invited to chat about Arsenal Women on a very cool podcast called Arsenal Women Trailblazers. You can listen on any and all platforms and you can also find it below…

We had a great chat about AWFC as a whole, transfers, Smila, Beth and much more. Make sure you subscribe and check out Roberto’s podcast!

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d

I’m gonna say this again and I will say it as many times as it’s needed but if you have something inside you that is saying that you should have a podcast, write a blog, do a YouTube show, etc not just about arsenal women, woso but just life in general… GO DO IT NOW!!!!

You don’t need the perfect name or handle for your project, you don’t need the best equipment… you just need to get it started and things will flow. Don’t get me wrong, please have as good of a quality product as you can and nowadays things are so cheap. There’s essentially no excuse for having horrible lighting, poor framing and such on your videos. Mics are SOOOOO affordable and you can get outstanding sound for barely any more. Podcast platforms are more affordable than ever, YouTube is FREEEEE, etc etc etc.

There are so many people out there talking complete rubbish and I know that you know that YOU know more and that you would be much better than these people. My point is that it doesn’t take much my friends. All you gotta do is have confidence or the lack of confidence to START.

For the 3rd time today, PLEASE START.

Look, there is so much content out there right now that you might feel intimidated. The quality is as professional as it gets, the sound is perfect with intros, outros and transitions, there are A list guests, etc etc but sooooo many have no idea what they’re talking about. And this is not just in the woso world and I say this as someone who has no idea what they’re talking about too!!!! I know fuckall!!!! Yet I’ve written close to 650 blogs here and dozens upon dozens of podcasts as host and guest.

IF YOU NEED HELP I WILL HELP YOU!!!!!!

People are also emboldened and confident because they see no competition and they see themselves as an authority not because they know (they do know a lot) but mostly because there’s nobody coming close to them.

Just like AWFC did back in the day… they assumed they would be coasting and in a blink of an eye here come Chelsea and Man City and they have evened out the playing field. Same thing happens here my friends… you have to just FUCKING DO IT.

You don’t need to be the next _______ , you just need to be the first YOU.

FUCKING NOW

DO IT

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d

A few weeks ago we all read and saw the disgusting vitriol and hate that Katie and Beth got. Obviously it’s all silly and evil and a projection of those who were so loud, hurling abuse and insults. That whole thing made me sick and made me feel so proud of myself and my friends who are NOT one of those like people that have hate inside them.

It has now been made official and it’s confirmed that Pelova is going to Spurs and I wonder how the same people that hated Beth, etc will excuse their reaction, explain how that is a different situation and more. I wish I could see the mental gymnastics those people will put into action.

The main thing is that no female player could ever be a snake. This term is only applicable to the men’s game for a whole infinity of reasons. Things are NOT the same and people’s desperate attempt to create rivalry where there truly isn’t is sickening. Specially in the women’s game, there’s no room for that.

But if Beth and Katie were called snakes what does it make Pelova? She is actually going to THE rival, the ones you “hate” … the ones that make your sing “north London is red” whenever you beat them (easiest thing ever). Nobody has said anything to Pelova, and I’m happy to know this and she doesn’t deserve the opposite. I’m just curious as to why people behave a certain way.

Look, I was never a fan. From the moment she signed I started counting the days until she left and I was actually excited by the news and I also wish she would take Foord and LWM with her. I have been critical of her as a player, not a person, and I can promise you now and I also swear on my mother than I am beyond happy to her and I will always applaud her, appreciate her and respect her. If I was at the emirates when she plays I will be clapping the loudest for always giving 100% and more than anything to show love to her due to her awful experience with her mother and her passing. Heartbreaking stuff.

This is not to criticize Pelova, the opposite actually… You see, every player deserves love and respect and none deserve abuse. If someone were to insult and abuse my least favorite players, I’m going to get pissed and disgusted by it all. It’s not fair and they don’t deserve it. So why do they hate Katie and Beth and Viv when they have done much more for our club, individually and collectively than Victoria ever did? It’s worth thinking about that stuff because none of it makes sense. They don’t get grace or kindness and when I say that it’s mostly an exaggeration.

People that are people, kind, empathetic and anyone with a brain is thankful to the players I just mentioned and I know they appreciate them and I am not including when I speak generally. Just wanna make sure I express that.

Anyway, I also can’t believe the new squad numbers but ok lol

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d

Hello friends,

As most of you know there was a horrible tragedy on June 24th where 2 massive earthquakes had devastating effects on the cities of La Guaira, Caracas and more in Venezuela. In case you didn’t know I was born and raised in Caracas and as you can imagine this has affected me in different ways.

Thankfully my mom and dad and extended family are OK but they aren’t ok either, if that makes any sense. Us Venezuelans, like so many latinos and just like a lot of people, are very tight with not just family and friends but neighbors too so whenever they hurt, we hurt too and that’s what is happening… We might not have been directly affected but so many of those that we know and call family have been.

I am going to share some links in case you have a chance to donate, and please know that any amount is HUGE. Even ONE dollar makes a difference. Also, please DO NOT donate to The Red Cross, sadly this has been overrun in Venezuela by people that pocket that money.

Here’s my link tree with the various places to donate.

http://linktr.ee/demianarriaga

Thank you so very much.

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d