Arsenal midfielder Lia Walti says recovering from a serious knee injury last season has given her a new perspective on playing football.
The Swiss international was forced to miss the end of the 2023/24 Barclays Women's Super League due to injury, seeing her undergo a five-month rehabilitation journey.
Speaking to 90min at Arsenal's Sobha Realty Training Centre this week, Walti reveals her enforced time away from football has given her so much more appreciation for the game.
"I had a rough start to the season and it took me a while to get back into the team, and obviously you never know how good you are going to be coming back," she says. "There are always a lot of questions in your head, and you have a lot of insecurities.
"It's even nicer when you are back on the pitch and you can still help the team. I appreciate my health even more and enjoy being able to perform on a good level for Arsenal, one of the best clubs in the world, as well as prepare for a home Euro tournament. I will do everything I can to stay healthy now."
Arsenal have climbed to fourth place in the WSL table under interim head coach Renee Slegers, after Jonas Eidevall resigned in October. They remain unbeaten since the change, securing WSL victories over West Ham, Brighton and Tottenham, as well as a draw against Manchester United. Slegers also clinched wins in the Champions League wins against Valerenga and Juventus.
Slegers' recent success has led to many fans calling for her to become the new permanent head coach, intensified even further when the Gunners' 'primary target' Nick Cushing ruled himself out.
Walti says whatever happens, she'd love Slegers to remain on the coaching staff.
"I think she's doing a great job in her role right now and we'll see what the club decides for her," she explains. "I like Renee as a person and she knows the team well, so if you can involve her at Arsenal, then she's a good benefit for us."
Women's football made history last weekend, when all WSL and Women's Championship fixtures were played at clubs' main stadia across the country. Walti says this is something she's always "dreamed about".
"I always say that I appreciate being in a generation where we used to play in front of a certain number of people who came to the games in stadiums which weren't really stadiums, and now we are getting the chance to play in big stadiums in front of a lot of people," she explains.
"That's something we've always dreamed about. I think you see it a lot in England, they are pushing the game in the right direction, giving female players the same chance as male players. It's a dream come true for fans and the players."
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