Following Arsenal’s 2-0 Subway Cup quarter-final win over Crystal Palace on Sunday, Lotte Wubben-Moy stopped and spoke to the written press. Due to the inclement conditions, we decided not to ask any questions and keep Lotte in the pouring rain on this occasion so the questions are from other journalists!
On her role coming into the game as a second half sub…
It was a professional performance from the whole team, to be able to come on with a one one goal lead and a wonderful header from Codi was cool to see. But for me personally, I know what I had to do, steady the ship, get us playing a bit more, get a bit of control with the ball. We need the ball to have control and it’s what we did to manage to game.
On how physical the game was…
I didn’t find it too physical. Maybe first half was slightly more physical. Palace have WSL experience and fair enough to then for getting this far in tournament and putting up a good fight today. It definitely wasn’t straightforward.
On her getting more minutes over the last two months…
I have just had to do my job. I think I’m at a point in my career where I warrant these opportunities, rather not calling them opportunities, but proving that this is my spot. I think being able to execute, but also empower other people. I’m a player that wants to put other people in the best possible positions. I think that’s part and parcel of the job, but also it has allowed us to progress and get five wins from five in this block.
On what Arsenal can take from this block into the New Year…
Momentum. I think there’s been a lot of growth this whole first part of the season and a lot of learning. I think this specific block is a case of knowing that we can be teams that low block and that’s what we struggled with in the past- getting multiple goals and dominating. I think there’s a lot to be said for how high we suffocate other teams and that being actually one of our biggest strengths. As you can see with the centre-backs, we push up high, we get involved in the play, we want to combine, we want to create overloads on the wide areas and we open up the pockets pretty well when we’re able to support in the play, whether that’s a late runner from the six or a 10 coming across or even a nine. I think we’ve got so many tools in our arsenal. It feels a shame not to get a ball playing centre back involved in the play and I think that’s part of the luxury when you play for Arsenal and you have those kind of players. We’re able to dominate on the ball.
On whether the winter break is coming at a good time…
I don’t think there’s a better time to stop when you’re ahead- maybe pause is the right word for it, a pause and rejuvenate an injection of energy that we will likely need coming into the new year.