theargus.co.uk

'Excitement machine' - Arsenal sent revealing Agyemang message amid Brighton loan

The 19-year-old spent last season on loan at Albion from Arsenal and scored five goals in all competitions as the Sussex side finished fifth in the Women's Super League.

Following her remarkable goalscoring performances for England in their Euros triumph this summer, the striker decided to [return to Albion for another loan spell](https://www.theargus.co.uk/sport/25413121.michelle-agyemang-returns-brighton-impact-euros/).

At the club's women's fans' forum on Tuesday, head coach Vidosic was asked about having the youngster back at Broadfield Stadium.

"Yes, it's good, hopefully she can score the same goals for us as well! Without her, I don't think they \[England\] win the tournament, without a doubt," he said.

"Arsenal must trust us a lot, they've sent us another one (in addition to Gunners loanee Rosa Kafaji). So we must be doing something good!"

Ahead of Albion's WSL season opener at home to Aston Villa on Sunday, the 38-year-old said Agyemang can create "moments of magic" but will do his utmost to protect her from the increased attention and media scrutiny.

"I think she's just a kid that just loves to play football. So I'll try to protect her as much as possible. I will ask the media sometimes just to let her be because she is young," he told reporters on Thursday. 

"But I understand the fascination and understand that everyone wants to see her and the excitement because she's an excitement machine.

"When she plays, she's got that moment of magic. She's got that nose for goal, which she displayed last season, also at the Euros, at one of the biggest stages. We're excited for her, but we know that she's still young.

"So she'll probably still face some ups and downs. She still needs to experience a lot of things because I think this season the attention will be a lot closer to her.

"So it's, again, something that she'll need to learn with to learn how to deal with it. But I've got no doubt that she'll be a very important player for us this season."

Albion team-mate Madison Haley was pleasantly surprised to see Agyemang back with Albion for the upcoming season. Now, the American is hopeful they can both play a role in a successful campaign.

"It was funny when she arrived; it was a bit surreal. I said, 'Were you even gone?' We are really lucky to have her back, she’s lost no time at all," she told The Argus.

"And obviously, she's come off a really good Euros performance. So we're hoping that she can score more goals for us this season.

"We're not directly competitors as we play in different positions. But, at the end of the day, you want the best players, you want to play with the best players, and work alongside the best players.

"And she's definitely a great talent. I know she will be pushing me, I will be pushing her, and that is what you want as a team."

Read full news in source page