Emily Fox: Arsenal defender has been ‘pushed and challenged’ in WSL

Fox has fallen in love with playing for Arsenal at Emirates Stadium, which was “the icing on top” in her decision to sign for the club.

Before completing her move to England, she watched from the stands as Arsenal beat Chelsea 4-1 there in front of a record crowd.

“It was just the icing on top in terms of this is where I want to be,” added Fox. “It was really inspiring.

“I had gone through all the behind-the-scenes things and I think just watching the team play, experiencing the Emirates, the crowd, how passionate everyone was for women’s football and how amazing they all played.”

Arsenal’s WSL game against Aston Villa on Sunday is their final one at the club’s main stadium in 2024.

It will be the 10th time the women’s team have played there in this calendar year, with the Gunners having lost just once, to Chelsea in October.

The club made the Emirates the main stadium for the women’s team for the 2024-25 campaign.

Eight WSL games are being played there, as well as home games in the Women’s Champions League, with the exception of their final Group C game against Bayern Munich, which was moved because of a scheduling clash with the men’s team.

Playing at the Emirates hasn’t lost its impact for Fox, who said it was a “pinch-me moment” every time she walks out on to the pitch there.

“Here, football is everything,” she said. “Everything is about football and the culture is all about football.

“The first time I went to the Emirates watching it and then the first time I played in it, it is so surreal. Especially when my parents came and watched me.

“They didn’t grow up playing football so it is more of a pinch-me moment when you have your family come and you are in these amazing stadiums having chants, having sold-out crowds.

“That is when I realised this is pretty amazing and such a unique experience.”