This story is about an Arsenal Academy player named Sophie Roberts who's joining the first team. Read it to find out if she is the right fit for the team. Will she enjoy the experience? Will she regret her decision of moving up with the first team...
After a busy few weeks training with the girls at Everton, it was finally time to play against Arsenal. The Arsenal are currently still first while Everton are 4th. But if we get a draw or even a win today, we go 2nd. I haven't played for the past 2 weeks because the boss wanted me to play against my team. I can't wait to get out there and hopefully get an assist or two, or even a goal.
We were playing at the Emirates today for the first time. It was my first time playing in a big stadium and there's supposed to be around 40,000 fans attending the game which is exciting. I make my way to the training ground before getting on the bus to head to the stadium. I can't wait to meet up with the Arsenal girls but first it was time to beat them.
We finally arrived at the stadium and i was amazed by it. My dreams have finally come true. Although i would've liked to play here for the first time with Arsenal, playing against them will have to do. After warming up it was time to hear the team news. The boss named the team and i was featured in the starting 11 and he also named me captain just for today's game. This meant more to me than he probably thought it would.
The boss asked me to give the girls a pre game speech and this is how it went: "Today is a special day for us all. I'm so proud of you girls for the effort you've put in so far this season and i know that we have the quality to beat them today. Let's all make sure that we give 110% and leave everything out there on the pitch. Team on three. One, two three TEAM!!"
We head out of the changing rooms and that's where we line up ready to go out on the pitch. Kim is injured so Jordan is named captain today and i'm so proud of her. Jordan and I shook hands and had a little cuddle before heading out. Arsenal had kick off and we were attacking the Everton fans first.
After a very good first half, we were currently drawing 2-2. With goals from Gabby George and Poppy Pattinson and goals from Jordan and Viv for Arsenal. We are playing probably the best that we've played all season. The fans have been amazing. It was time to head out for the second half and the boss told me to do "everything i get the three points".
It's the 89th minute and the score is still 2-2. It's a corner for Arsenal but they couldn't take their chance, and we were on the counter attack. Gabby pinged a cross field pass and i latched onto it and just ran towards goal. I could feel someone putting pressure behind me and i knew who it was straight away, it was Anna. I began to run faster and eventually i made it into the box and that's when Zinsberger took me out. The ref had called for us to have a penalty. I looked over to the boss and he said for me to take it.
It's the 92nd minute. A penalty has been awarded to Everton Women and Sophie Roberts looks like she's going to be the one to take it. The Arsenal player through and through can give Everton the 3 points that they need to go into second, can she do it? Can she keep her composure? She shoots and she scores!!!
Final Score Arsenal Women 2 - Everton Women 3
I felt so many emotions after scoring. I just held my hands up, i didn't celebrate just to honour the Arsenal fans and my Arsenal teammates. The final whistle finally blew and i dropped to my knees. We did it. All of the Arsenal girls came and spoke to me and i eventually hugged them all. Anna and i stayed a bit longer and chatted, we all had a photo and it was then time for us to say goodbye again.
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sophieroberts20 Nice to see familiar faces today. Feels so good to finally play football again after 130 days away from the pitch. Proud of you all today. Come on the Toffees💙 tagged evertonwomen
evertonwomen Solid performance today, welcome back Soph💙 poppypattinson that's my girl, welcome back x annarosepatten ❤️💙 so so proud leahwilliamson 2 goals in 2 games. my girl killing it x liawalti so happy for you x jordannobbs captain fantastic. great to see you back out there❤️💙 sandymaciver sophieeeeeee💙💙💙💙 caitlinfoord darling🥺so happy for you lottewubbenmoy proud of you lil sis. come back already🥲 lisaevans miss you already. proud of you viviannemiedma so happy for you young one. can't wait to have you back❤️🐐 - sophieroberts20 Viv you're the goat🐐
