Laia Codina has revealed how delighted Arsenal are with both her and her compatriot Mariona Caldentey, praising the way they have adapted to English football.
LONDON, ENGLAND - OCTOBER 06: Laia Codina of Arsenal waves to the Arsenal fans after the Barclays Women's Super League match between Arsenal and Everton at Emirates Stadium on October 06, 2024 in London, England. (Photo by Jaimi Joy/Getty Images)
Photo by Jaimi Joy/Getty Images
“They’re delighted. They like our idea of football,” Codina said. “We always get a little itchy, they tell us that our football is tiki-taka and we tell them that theirs is box to box. There’s a little bit of itch,” she added with a laugh.
Codina, the 24-year-old central defender from Campllong, Girona, has quickly established herself as a key defensive figure for Arsenal and Spain. Reflecting on her current form, she said, “I’m feeling in a good moment. Since last year I have already built a base that I needed, with few injury, at Arsenal, in a new adventure. But I’m aware that with 24 years old I’ll have to go through the bench, f**k up…”
Codina’s experience at Arsenal has been a significant part of her recent development, and she has embraced the challenge of adapting to the English style of play. The support from the club and her teammates, including Mariona, has been crucial in her journey. Codina and Mariona’s adaptation has not only been about tactics but also about earning the respect and admiration of their English counterparts.
Speaking to AS, Codina opened up about her rapid rise to becoming the head of Spain’s defence. “They already told me after the match against Italy,” she said with a laugh. “I don’t like being told that, because things change very quickly. I’m doing my job and when I play, great. And also when I’m not playing.” Despite her modesty, her growth over the last two years has not gone unnoticed, with her performances making her an essential part of the national team setup.
LYON, FRANCE - AUGUST 09: Laia Codina of Spain in action during the Women's Bronze Medal match between Spain and Germany during the Olympic Games Paris 2024 at Stade de Lyon on August 09, 2024 in Lyon, France. (Photo by Claudio Villa/Getty Images)
Photo by Claudio Villa/Getty Images
The Arsenal defender also spoke about the support she received from her former teammate Irene Paredes, someone who has helped her grow both on and off the field. “I would only say one, Irene Paredes,” she said after a long pause when asked who had influenced her the most. Codina noted how much she learned from Paredes during the World Cup, where subtle gestures made a big impact: “It marked me. Without speaking, almost. We didn’t talk at the game. But at the age of 23, when you’re clueless… it’s small details.”
Reflecting on her lowest moments, she spoke of her failure during the World Cup against Switzerland and an early mistake on her Under-19 debut. “But first I would go home and not sleep for three days,” she admitted. She recalled a particularly tough experience being sent off in the Cup final against Juventus while at Milan, a memory that haunted her for two nights. The burden of self-expectation has always been heavy for Codina, but she credits her work with a psychologist, which started when she was 12, with helping her manage it. “I started at 12 because I was afraid of failure. A lot of self-exigency,” she explained.
Looking ahead to Spain’s upcoming clash with England in the Nations League, Codina expressed her eagerness to face familiar faces at Wembley. “I really want to play against them, I know a lot of them. And on top of that, at Wembley. I have been saying since the beginning of the course that we have to get to the FA Cup final with Arsenal by stepping on it.”
As Codina’s career progresses, her blend of humility, determination, and talent continues to make her an indispensable asset for Arsenal and Spain. Her journey is a testament to her resilience and her dedication to both club and country.
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