It's us against the world

33 - North London is...

A couple days later, it is the first home game of the season against Tottenham, the North London Derby, at the Emirates.

Jonas told me a couple day ago that I wouldn't be starting as this match usually gets a bit feisty and he is hoping not to have me injured.

The starting line up is Manu, Laura, Rafa, Leah, Steph, Lia, Kim, Beth, Caitlin, Katie and Viv.

I give Leah a good luck hug, not that she needs it, as we are walking out and high-five the rest of the team, telling them to play their best.

I sit on the bench with Jordan when kick off happens and I cant tell you how excited I was for this derby, it was definitely my favourite one of the season.

We giggle together, talking about football and relationships while the match is going on.

I found out that Jordan is actually Leah's ex but they broke things off on good terms as neither of them really felt that they were made to be together, just friends.

She tells me shes happy Leah has moved on, they seem like really close friends and im glad to have made another friend on the team, I was so worried at first.

On the pitch she seems so angry, the tiny devil I think I used to call her, I always thought that was what she was like in real life.

She's actually so sweet and really a bit of a cinnamon roll although I don't think she will be happy if I called her that.

We press highly on Spurs, but when Katie is running down the wing, she is fouled by Spencer and a whole big fight happens between them, on pitch.

Both teams are trying to pull them away from each other but its hard since they are both so strong.

That's why I admire Katie, shes so passionate about her game, of course the yellow card trend for her is hilarious but, the way she plays is so admirable and mischievous that I don't know whether to be scared of her or happy she's on my team.

I would most likely shit myself if I had to play against her and run off crying.

She's so hilarious out of game though and I wish I had her confidence to be like that.

I decide to stay on the bench with Jordan, not knowing what I would get myself into if I interfered.

Spencer gets a yellow card for the bad foul on Katie and Katie gets a card for just being her usual self, her reaction, the pushing, shoving and swearing at Spencer and her teammates.

It was quite a scene, an from the bench, we had a great view of it.

However, we got a free kick in an amazing spot, and right on the half time mark, meaning if this went in, we would be going into the second half with a well deserved lead.

Beth takes the kick, sliding it along the ground and then erupting into the back of the net.

The whole stadium shakes from the cheers coming from every single direction, angry ones from the Spurs side.

The atmosphere was incredible, I loved every minute of being a gooner.

We all topple on top of Beth for breaking deadlock, everyone from the bench ran to her and made a pile on her, we definitely squished her but we didn't care.

We were winning, against Spurs.

Halftime is called shortly after and we are congratulated by Jonas on the great performance in the first half.

He gives a special mention to Manu and her spectacular saves.

We head back out for the second half and we are holding them off pretty well.

Leah and Rafa keeping their line strong and not letting many balls through.

If they went through, in a matter of seconds, they would be in Manu's hands.
In the 61st minute Jordan is subbed on for Lia and Lina is subbed on for Caitlin.

I give both a high five before they leave and once Lia and Caitlin are sat down I high five them also on their great performances.

Everyone gives a big cheer for Jordan and Lina as they run on.
This club is amazing, the fans are amazing, the players are amazing.

I am told by Jonas to warm up in the 78th minute so I do as I am told.

The crowd roars for me, keen to see what I can bring to this match.

As I'm warming up I smile to myself and hype the crowd up for my appearance on the pitch.

I get subbed on, quicker than I thought I would as Kim has received a head injury and now has a suspected concussion but it shouldn't be too serious for her.

I go on to replace her, and Leah receives the captain armband, I am ready to show off my skills to this team.

It's still 1-0 and it's starting to seem, that's how it will end, until I send a chipped through ball, over the defenders head and straight into the feet of Viv who lobs it into the net.

We all cheer for her and high-five her since she doesn't like to celebrate, I respect that, but its so odd.

She's a bit odd, I suppose we all have our own little quirks.

3 goals and 1 assist in my first two games is not too bad, its actually quite amazing.

The atmosphere at the emirates is so much better than at old Trafford.
Mainly because its out home ground but the fans here are so lovely, don't get me wrong, away fans are lovely too but the ones at home, nothing compares to them.

The whole stadium is echoed with noise, aimed at us, the home side and it just feels like my home.

We walk around the pitch and thank the fans for coming to watch the match, for a good part of an hour.

The teams then all go into the changing rooms to have showers and a game de-brief before being let out to do our own thing.

Jonas congratulates us on the clean sheet and the two goals from Viv and Beth.

Everyone cheers.

He then picks up on some minor mistakes that we could improve, as we won he was able to be harsher on mistakes as everyone was in a good mood from the win.

We are then dismissed to change and shower before heading home.

"Leah you're gonna wait for me right?" I ask her, making sure she would wait for the slowest person.

"Yeah course, I drove you here so how else would you get home?"

I chuckle.

I get into the shower, removing my shirt and shorts first.
I clean all the sweat from off my body, leaving my hair up, I will deal with that later.

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A/N: enjoy this
I am absolutely gutted about Leahs injury and it was literally at the worst time for Arsenal and also for her.

Missing the WC 😭 and now probably not back till January so I will be missing her so much and Arsenal are really going to struggle now since we've literally got 6 players injured.
Them dreaded 3 letters had me balling in school and everyone thought I was a weirdo crying over physics revision. 😂

I'm actually even more gutted than when Jordan left us so it actually says something but still, another fucking ACL in the women's game. It fucking proves how much research needs to be done for the women's game and I've literally got so much research for this but it's not gonna be used cuz these people don't give a shit when you've got 5 regular starters out for the rest of the fucking team!!!! 😡

Anyway, have a good day, if that can actually happen with this news as I am completely in mourning rn

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