Emily Fox Reflects on Challenging and Rewarding First Year at Arsenal

Arsenal defender Emily Fox, pictured centrally, stated she has been “pushed and challenged” during a successful initial year with the club. Fox notably scored her first goal at Emirates Stadium in the Champions League against Valerenga in October. The 26-year-old USA international joined the Gunners in January, transferring from National Women’s Soccer League side North Carolina Courage. Arsenal concluded the Women’s Super League season in third place. Fox also featured in the League Cup final in March, where Arsenal defeated Chelsea to secure the trophy. As she approaches the anniversary of her arrival at the club, Fox told BBC Sport, “The transition was so smooth and I felt right away like it worked.” She further elaborated on her perspective: “Coming here, nothing is given in the sense of will you do well, will you not do well? I looked at it as a challenge and I wanted to join a league and be uncomfortable and push myself.” Fox concluded, “That is how I look at the success of it. I have been pushed, I have been challenged. Playing in the WSL and against some of the best players in the world, I have been able to embrace that and be a part of it.” Fox expressed her deep affection for playing for Arsenal at Emirates Stadium, describing it as “the icing on top” of her decision to sign with the club. Before finalizing her move to England, she watched from the stands as Arsenal secured a 4-1 victory over Chelsea at the stadium, witnessed by a record crowd. Fox reiterated, “It was just the icing on top in terms of this is where I want to be.” She added, “It was really inspiring.” She further explained, “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 Women’s Super League match against Aston Villa this Sunday will be their final fixture at the club’s primary stadium in 2024. This upcoming game will mark the tenth occasion the women’s team has competed at the venue within the current calendar year, with the Gunners’ sole defeat there being against Chelsea in October. The club designated the Emirates as the main stadium for the women’s team for the 2024-25 campaign. Eight WSL games are scheduled to be held there, alongside home fixtures in the Women’s Champions League. An exception was their concluding Group C match against Bayern Munich, which was relocated due to a scheduling conflict with the men’s team. For Fox, competing at the Emirates continues to hold significant meaning, with her describing it as a “pinch-me moment” each time she steps onto the pitch. She stated, “Here, football is everything.” Adding, “Everything is about football and the culture is all about football.” Fox recounted, “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.” She further explained, “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,” she concluded.