Lia Walti believes our supporters have helped build something "huge" across the years and that this momentum will continue to grow.
Speaking ahead of our game against Southampton in the Conti Cup, where we're expecting another impressive away attendance, our Swiss midfielder reflected on how much progress she has seen during her tenure at the club.
"The support this season has been incredible. I think we've built something huge here with the Arsenal family over the last couple of years," said Walti. "When I came here six seasons ago, we barely sold out Meadow Park so it is incredible how the support is growing and now people are even coming to our away games.
"We have sold out every away game so far this season and that just shows so much about this club and the support around us. The club is just taking all the right steps as well to let the women's game grow.
"That was also one of the main reasons why I really wanted to stay here because you can just feel, as a player, that women's football is a high priority here. I'm so glad that all the fans can see that as well and they want to be there every weekend to support us no matter where we play and who we play against."
With our dedicated supporters' reputation for creating imposing atmospheres, home or away, Walti revealed that the crowd lessens that away disadvantage.
"To be honest, it does almost feel like a home game. I can remember the game we had against Bristol, all I could hear were the Arsenal fans.
"It's just great for the women's game in general. Our generation was used to playing in front of a couple hundred people and now almost every weekend, to have crowds like that is something that gives you a huge boost on the field. It's just incredible to celebrate with the fans when we score and to hear them when they want us to score even more. No matter if it's a home or away game."
Walti, who extended her stay in north London last season with a new contract, also shared that the supporters and the club's priorities were big factors in deciding to stay.
"It's not a secret: I am generally quite a loyal person to clubs so if I feel at home then I don't really want to leave. From the first day at Arsenal, I did feel like this was a place I could imagine myself for many, many years.
"But of course, when you're my age, there was a decision to be made last season. There were definitely other options but at the same time, I knew what I had here and I could feel the growth of the game, not only in the league but also in the club.
"I can feel new challenges in between the club every day with having new teammates - this season is maybe the perfect example. We have a great battle in midfield with so many talented and different players. So this is something which is challenging me and everybody around me as well.
"With Arsenal, I can keep developing my game but it's also the support of the club with the women's facilities we have here - you just want to be part of everything around here. I didn't want to miss out on anything here because I do believe that there is more potential. There are the right people here at Arsenal to keep going with the next steps.
"There are great leagues in Europe and outside of Europe, which would maybe be great to play in one day but at the same time, I have such great stadiums and such great crowds every weekend. This is something I've worked my whole career for and I finally have that now.
"I feel like there is nothing else that could replace staying here and having these experiences week in and week out. So it was a very easy decision because that's what I always wanted and dreamt of as a kid."
Copyright 2024 The Arsenal Football Club Limited. Permission to use quotations from this article is granted subject to appropriate credit being given to www.arsenal.com as the source.
