Interview

Walti - Why Foord's a good team-mate to have

Caitlin Foord has raised the bar this season.

The Australia international has the joint-most assists (five) and the second-most goal involvements in the Women's Super League this term.

And good friend Lia Walti says there is even more to come from Foord.

"She's added a lot," Walti told Arsenal.com. "Her start was pretty hard for herself because she came here in February and couldn't really play many games. 

"First of all in February, almost all the games were cancelled because of all the storms we had. Then obviously COVID came after, so she didn't really have her moment in the first half of a year where she could prove herself and show what she can do both on and off the pitch. 

"I think since we've started the new season, she's played really, really well and she fits in the team with the way she wants to play football. I think she's a player we didn't have before, someone who can create chances, score goals but who can also maybe change her position a bit more with Viv.

" I think those two can be a really good partnership because they're a bit different but also have the same ideas. As a person, she's just someone fun and always makes people laugh. She's just a good team-mate to have. 

"I think lockdown was a really good chance for her to get people to know what she's like off the pitch and show a bit more about her personality. I think that was really good for her to connect with the team. 

"That helped her and it gave her confidence I think, so from the first moment in pre-season of the new season, I feel like she was already included in the team so much. I guess this lockdown helped her to integrate into the team."