Sophie Harwood made her Arsenal debut in front of an Emirates Stadium crowd when she came on in the 5-0 win over West Ham United.
The 18-year-old was used as a late substitute to make her maiden Women’s Super League appearance, and our N5 venue provided the perfect stage.
“Yeah, it’s amazing. I can’t quite put it into words. To be able to make it at the Emirates, in front of a home crowd, it just means the world. My family were watching as well, so it was a really special moment.
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Sophie was pleased with our Gunners’ high-scoring performance throughout the 90 and had high praise for her fellow teammates. “Yeah, I think the girls were incredible today,” she said. “From start to finish, they all smashed it.
“To get the goals in the way we did, it’s just amazing. I’m so grateful to be part of a special team.”
Sophie usually operates as a full-back but was deployed at the top of the pitch by Renée Slegers to see out the match against the Hammers, and was happy to enter the contest in any role necessary. “I was like, I’m going to come on, work my socks off and try and get on the ball.
“I was just so excited to be on the pitch, I didn’t mind where I was!”
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It was her first time playing as a striker, with Chloe Kelly and Beth Mead in support on either side, an experience that Sophie will never forget.
“They’re both incredible players. Being able to train with them, day in and day out, is amazing.
To be able to play in Emirates Stadium with them and everyone else in the team, it just – it’s amazing. I can’t put it into words.”
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The next seven days pose a big challenge for our Gunners, with a big European night against Chelsea coming before an all-important north London derby with Tottenham Hotspur at the weekend.
Both tests will take place at our N5 home in front of a big audience, an opportunity Sophie greatly welcomes.
“We’re all excited. We love a challenge, we love testing ourselves against top teams and we believe in what we’ve got in the building.
“We know they’re going to be tough games but we back ourselves, so hopefully we put in a good performance.”
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