Player Interview: Jordan Nobbs

Arsenal Midfielder, Jordan Nobbs, talks to Ruth Dacey about Arsenal and the upcoming FA WSL season.

                             

Jordan Nobbs is determined to make a big impact in midfield for Arsenal Ladies FC as they aim to win the FA Women’s Super League this season.

Nobbs joined from Sunderland in 2010 and made a big impact in both European and early Super League matches.

The central midfielder has captained England at the Under-17s World Cup and made her senior debut in 2013 where she has become a prominent member of the team.

After winning the FA Young Player of the Year award in 2010, the central midfielder has continued that form with some fine displays and goals in 2012 and 2013 and hopes this season will be the best yet.

“I want to play a major role for Arsenal this season and be part of the main England team,” the 21-year-old said.

“A main aim is to keep getting goals for the side and I’ve put in a lot of hard work which hopefully will pay off this season.

“With the team we have we are serious contenders for the title this year, although of course I think it could be very unpredictable because of all the changes and signings that all the teams have made.

“We are a confident team- we just need to push ourselves as players and we will try and do everything this season to win trophies and push ourselves to the very highest level.”

Arsenal have strengthened their squad with stellar signings including the two Japan internationals Yukari Kinga and Shinobu Ohno who helped Japan win the World Cup in Germany in 2001 and were silver medal winners at the London 2012 Olympics.

Other signings include England captain Casey Stoney, Holland international Anouk Hoogendijk, and Scotland international Christie Murray and Nobbs believes the tough competition for positions will greatly enhance the team’s performance.

“You can’t go wrong when you bring in two world class Japanese players who have won major trophies- I’m sure they will be a massive asset to the team this year,” the England international said.

“Bringing world class foreigners in like we have will strengthen the league further and improve the performance of English players- what ever can strengthen our league and strengthen our game can only be a good thing for the women’s game.

“The likes of Casey and Anouck who made the move from Ajax have come in to so this year it’s going to be fierce competing for places but this can only be a good thing.

“We’ve also brought in some youth players who are part of the England set-up who have the right mentality needed at this level so I think we have the balance just right.”

Last season Arsenal finished third in the FA Women's Super League (WSL), behind winners Liverpool and runners-up Bristol Academy but they remain the most successful team in the English game and won the WSL in 2011 and 2012.

“We want to back up there challenging for all the trophies and I believe our style of play can do that. We have always been a passing side and we will stick to that,” the former Sunderland player said.

“We have to look at all the title contenders and Liverpool poses the biggest threat for me- they won the league last year and they have strengthened their team again with the likes of Gemma Davison."

“But this year we will try as hard as we can and hopefully we will reap the rewards with lots of trophies.”

By Ruth  Dacey