by As a packed Emirates watched Arsenal power through a 4-1 win over title rivals Chelsea in December, there was one person among the 59,042 in attendance who was particularly affected by the experience.
United States goalkeeper Emily Fox was strongly considering a move to the north London club but the din could be heard as the new Women’s Super League crowd saw the frenzy of support as Arsenal pulled away with three first-half goals to help her. knew it was the place to be.
“That game and being there was really the icing on the cake. After that game I was excited and excited,” Fox told Telegraph Sport, following her move to Arsenal from North American outfit Carolina Courage. “The experience, the incredible atmosphere, the fans and how loud they were, and the football played, and beating Chelsea – there had been research before but then that was the icing on the cake top, for me to say ‘Me. I want to play here’.”
Arsenal are delighted to sign a player who has become an integral part of the United States of America, who started four games at the World Cup last summer in a backline that conceded just one goal in that competition.
Why did she feel that Jonas Eideval’s team was for her?
“Their style of play and the way they carry themselves as a club, and how they want the women’s game to grow and how they want to be an asset to that, trying to get the girls to play in the Emirates as much as they can. and providing the same facilities — the union really inspires me,” said Fox, 25, in her first newspaper interview since joining the WSL.
“I first started talking to the club sometime last year and my first impression was excitement that they were interested. I know Lotte [Wubben-Moy] and Alessia [Russo] very good so I contacted them and found out more about the club through their lens. And now I’m here I see for myself, that there is a lot of investment in the club and Arsenal wants to be fully united with the academy, the youth, the women and the men.”
English duo Wubben-Moy and Russo played alongside Fox in the United States College system at the North Carolina Tar Heels, whose elite program boasts a long line of alumni including Sarina Wiegman and Lionesses right back Lucy Bronze, as well as World Cup-winning icons from the USA in Mia Hamm, Kristine Lilly, Heather O’Reilly and Tobin Heath.
“I chose to play there because I knew I would be uncomfortable there, looking at scores and comparing them to others, which prepared me a lot to go professional and helped me to be far more self-aware of where I am. , where I need to be and how to get there. So I learned a lot there,” Fox said of his time with the Tar Heels.
Arsenal manager Eidevall said feedback from Wubben-Moy and Russo helped him research Fox’s personality and recalled that she also sought advice from them, saying: “I knew they were going to be honest with me. I asked them what the environment was like and about the team culture, training sessions, their development and how they like the coaching staff. And I asked him why they made the decision to come to Arsenal just to get a wider perspective on it. Fortunately, because we played together in college, I know they need similar things as I do, in terms of a competitive training environment, always getting better but at the same time being on a team where it’s a lot of fun to train every day. and the girls love each other.”
After college, Fox stamped her name into the NWSL history books as the first overall pick in the 2021 draft, selected by Racing Louisville, although the usual fanfare and ceremony did not take place as the event was held until remote during the pandemic.
“I was wearing a mask so you couldn’t see it, but I was smiling!” jokes Fox. “It was during Covid so normally for a draft you’d go to a convention center and dress up and get your name called and make an acceptance speech on a podium, but with Covid it was very different. I was at a national team camp and the other picks of the next round were with me when they called the draft, and that was really special that they took the time and the effort to do that. It was really special to be in the same room with all these talented players.”
It was a proud moment for Fox who had worked on her game for years since she grew up in Ashburn, Virginia, in a family that loved Star Trek, Harry Potter and Star Wars. She started playing football at “four or five”, but she was also good at gymnastics – specializing in the vault – and in the end she had to make a big choice.
“Neither of my parents played soccer and neither did my brother or sister, so it was just me, and with that I really enjoyed it because I pushed myself and made the most of it ,” she said. “When I had to choose between soccer and gymnastics I loved the team aspect of soccer and the idea that you have 11 on the field, all your teammates, and I felt supported.”
Now recognized as one of the strongest attacking full-backs in the world, and capable of playing on both sides, Eideval praised Fox’s “explosiveness” ahead of Sunday’s FA Cup final against Watford.
Eidevall also said that while he could sign a goalkeeper to provide “short-term” cover for Canada’s Sabrina D’Angelo at the Gold Cup, Fox will be his team’s only long-term signing this month.
The club certainly feel they have landed a star, and she is eager to shine.
