Our Young Gun series gets to know the academy youngsters kicking off their careers at the Sobha Realty Training Centre.
Naomi Williams spoke to us recently about her loan spell with Bristol City, building new relationships and singing over an aeroplane intercom.
I've just come back from a loan spell with Bristol City, which was a really interesting experience. Having been at Arsenal since I was 13, it was a big adjustment to suddenly join a new environment, a new city and a new set of teammates. The time there has definitely made me grow as a person and I'm very thankful for that.
The loan move came about in the summer because I was keen to get some more senior experience. I've spent a lot of time in our squad so it felt like a great opportunity to test the skills I've developed in training. Learning to be match-ready is so vital.
A lot of the girls had been out on loan before but I didn't really ask them for too many tips. I was very happy to throw myself into everything and make the most of what came my way. Bristol is a really nice, quirky city so it was an interesting place to move to, meet different people and build new relationships.
Now I'm back with Arsenal I want to use what I learned with Bristol here, because it was fascinating to be at such a different club. I'm just so excited to be back and bring the energy.
I've especially missed our goalkeeper union because we all just get on so well. There are different characters, but we all have a laugh together. Everyone always says goalkeepers are a little crazy so I guess we bond over that foundation!
There have been a few serious injuries in our group so we always make sure to support each other. If anyone wants to share something, then we're all here to listen.
We also spend a lot of time together away from the field - we're going to the cinema tonight to see Avatar 3 actually!
"To know that I was part of this journey and a part of history now, words can't describe what that means"
Across my years at Arsenal, making my senior debut during our post-season tour of Australia was definitely a highlight. I'd been waiting for it so long, growing up in our academy and imagining how it would feel to play for my club.
I wanted to make the most of the opportunity and when it finally happened, in front of that many people and that far from home, it gave me such a buzz. My family came over to watch me play too, which was such a special moment.
Winning the Champions League just didn't feel real for a good while. To know that I was part of this journey and a part of history now, words can't describe what that means. My medal is still sitting on top of my chest of drawers, so it's a lovely reminder every day.
There were so many brilliant moments across that Champions League journey, but one of the most fun memories was singing North London Forever on the plane intercom after we'd beaten Lyon. I actually got peer-pressured by Leah Williamson for that!
Back in my academy days, I used to go to watch Arsenal at Meadow Park when there were just a couple of hundred fans there. Now it's crazy to see how many people come to the Emirates every week.
It's very special to be a part of that journey. I feel like Arsenal is just a part of me and the club has moulded me into the person I am today. I'm forever thankful for that.
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