The Evolving Game: Insights from Arsenal’s Women Players on Football, Challenges, and Technology
As the football season nears its conclusion, a dynamic conversation emerged between Arsenal’s intelligent automation partner ABBYY and three prominent players: goalkeeper Manuela Zinsberger, captain Kim Little, and defender Jenna Nighswonger. They delved into their motivations, the challenges they face, and the growing influence of technology in women’s football.
Spark of Interest in Football
Manuela Zinsberger
"My father was a goalkeeper, and my uncle was also a player, so there was football in the family. Lots of my friends were boys growing up, so I was kicking a ball around with them and fell in love with the game. I started as an outfield player and didn’t try goalkeeping until I was about nine or ten—I was trying to be someone I wasn’t!"
Kim Little
"I was always an active kid and played football all the time with my little brother. Once I joined a team, I realized how much I enjoyed the competitiveness and the teamwork."
Jenna Nighswonger
"I started playing football at about three to four years old. My older sister joined the recreational league in our local area, and I just very quickly fell in love with the game!"
Challenges of Being a Woman in Football
Manuela Zinsberger
"Certain things like the pressure on us as players and individuals are challenging for all footballers, particularly online. In terms of being a woman specifically, people still say, ‘Oh, it’s just women’s football.’ But we keep showing what we’re capable of time and time again."
Kim Little
"Most footballers will say they’ve not been given the same amount of respect or resources as men, and to be honest, the world of football is still male-dominated. The biggest challenge today is that we’re still not on an even playing field, but we’re always pushing for equal resources and facilities to perform to the level we know we can."
Jenna Nighswonger
"Women in all professions will have barriers, but in football, as everywhere else, we just have to show everyone that we deserve to be there. There’s a feeling that you have to prove yourself again and again."
Overcoming Challenges
Manuela Zinsberger
"Being part of the Arsenal community helps. It’s not just the team; we’ve got a full squad, academy players, staff, management, commercial, and of course, the fans. It gives a sense of togetherness that makes everything easier to face."
Kim Little
"Dealing with the challenges has taken a lot of player responsibility and advocacy—speaking out and working with decision-makers and player unions like the PFA. We need to keep pushing for change, especially by influencing club leadership to invest more in resources for women’s teams."
Jenna Nighswonger
"It’s about pushing through and reminding yourself you’re doing it for yourself and for other women too. I want to keep building on that, making football more inclusive."
Finding Motivation
Manuela Zinsberger
"I would say that motivation comes and goes. The real thing to focus on is discipline. On hard days where I don’t feel motivated for training, it’s discipline that gets me out of bed and to the pitch."
Kim Little
"I’m intrinsically motivated, but I have to ensure I don’t get influenced by external challenges and keep coming to the game as my best self. I’m quite competitive, so I use not wanting to lose to push myself!"
Jenna Nighswonger
"I don’t find it hard to stay motivated. I’m in such a great environment where my teammates motivate me to be better every day. I also set goals and work to keep them every day."
The Future of Women’s Football
Manuela Zinsberger
"I think it should get to the point where football is just football—not split into men’s and women’s. Arsenal has a ‘one club’ mentality—one game, one fan base—which is quite unusual at the moment. I’m excited to see where the game can go."
Kim Little
"We just need to keep building the game. It’s going from strength to strength, and we’re still riding the momentum from the excitement of the Euros. I think it’ll continue to grow as more young girls get into playing football."
Jenna Nighswonger
"The only way is up; there’s no ceiling for how far we can go. The game has skyrocketed in the past five years—it’s an exciting time!"
The Role of Technology in Football
Manuela Zinsberger
"All the information you get from GPS and heart rate monitors are game-changing. VAR is also important. Sometimes we think it’s good, other times bad—but it’s essential. At the end of the day, we’re human. Technology helps, but we need to ensure we don’t lose our knowledge."
Kim Little
"Technology is vital to the game, and we’ve seen drastic changes in its use over the last five years. Player GPS and game recordings provide statistics that help us strategize. Data significantly impacts how we prepare for games."
Jenna Nighswonger
"Technology plays a huge role in football. Day-to-day elements like GPS tracking help us stay healthy, while match analysis aids preparation. Personally, I wouldn’t want to play without technology; it helps me feel prepared and confident."
Advice for Aspiring Female Footballers
Manuela Zinsberger
"Have fun and be who you want to be."
Kim Little
"Just enjoy the game, and recognize what it can offer you. Football provides fantastic connections and a support network regardless of your playing level."
Jenna Nighswonger
"Enjoy the ride! Keep your passion for football alive—it will help you grow."
This insight into the lives of three empowered women in football reflects both the challenges they face and the tremendous strides the sport has made, setting a promising trajectory for the future of women’s football.
