Matilda’s move to Arsenal rekindles ‘spark’

Matildas star Caitlin Foord has credited Arsenal with restoring her love for football after a period of “going through the motions” as a professional player.

Foord is one of three Matildas along with Steph Catley and Kyra Cooney-Cross in the Gunners squad that will take on the women’s A-League All-Stars at Marvel Stadium on Friday night,

“To represent Arsenal, and to do that on home soil, I never would have imagined that,” Foord said on Wednesday at the Women in Football business brunch.

“It’s never been done before. Selfishly I’m really excited to be home, to be here with Arsenal to play the (A-League) girls.”

However, before 29-year-old Foord joined the English Women’s Super League club from Sydney FC in 2020, she was showing a distinct lack of excitement about her football career.

“I felt like I lost my love for the game,” she said.

“I was going through the motions, and when I got to Arsenal, that sparked me again.

“I enjoyed playing again. I love the way that we play, the style, the league, the competition in the league – it was really exciting.

“It really brought that back for me, and it’s been like that ever since. We just need to win more trophies now.”

The Gunners finished the WSL season in third place, five points behind champions Chelsea.

Arsenal manager Jonas Eidevall was confident his side could win the title next season.

“This team has everything it takes in order to win the league as well, but we just need to be prepared to do the work for that next season,” Eidevall said.

“This trip here is a great opportunity for us to really blend with first-team and full-time professionals ... together with some of our best academy players.

“To see them on the pitch together, that’s going to be a really nice opportunity for me.”

The All-Stars team will be coached by former Arsenal manager Joe Montemurro, much to the delight of Gunners star Katie McCabe.

“It was a real pinnacle point in my career at Arsenal when I thought I was out the door, and Joe came in and kept a hold of me and I’ve been here ever since,” McCabe said.

“He’s always like family. He’s always welcome back to the club with open arms.

“I’m sure he’ll be putting on a good show with the All-Stars.”