In the midst of the incessant swirl of the footballing calendar, it can be easy to forget to be grateful. And this season, in particular, has been a tricky ride on the proverbial rollercoaster for Arsenal WFC. After a pretty underwhelming start to the season, Arsenal have found themselves cast too far adrift from leaders Chelsea to meaningfully challenge for the title. And yet, an upturn in favours under Renée Slegers’s masterful helm has seen Arsenal take twelve points from a possible fifteen in the WSL, and the starry-eyed, optimistic promise of a European run (and possible silverware) lies ahead of us. 

Suddenly, you might say the vibes at Culture FC are looking up. And one of the true highlights of this season for me, without doubt, has been the work of Mariona Caldentey. 

It was an enormous, life-shifting decision from Caldentey to join Arsenal, after a decade-long career in Spain that saw her win every conceivable honour and accolade, including a hat-trick of European cups, countless leagues and Copa de la Reinas, a Nations League and, of course, a World Cup.

The move was a brave and ambitious choice from Caldentey, and although you might say that Arsenal (at least thus far) have fallen a bit short of our heady dreams, the stats don’t lie in terms of Mariona’s significance to the team.

Caldentey has stepped up with six goals and three assists in the WSL. Indeed, in the sixty-second minute of a baffling, disorienting, whirlwind of a fixture against West Ham, we found ourselves looking to Caldentey to slot home the penalty which would ultimately prove to be that elusive winner. In these moments, it cannot be understated how vital and energising it is to have a player of Caldentey’s experience, mentality and elite capability. An experience, mentality and capability that saw her produce a consistency of performance that earned her the Barclays Women’s Super League Player of the Month for February.

Away from the WSL, the Spanish stalwart has also popped up with an astonishing six goal contributions in six games in the Champions League. If we dare to dream that we may go one stage deeper than that heartbreaking 2023 European campaign, I have no doubt that Mariona Caldentey will be absolutely central to the narrative of our progression. Given her historical allegiances, Caldentey, more than any of us, will also be looking to snatch some bragging rights away from Real Madrid.

Who knows what the rest of the season will hold for us. If you’d asked me back in September to predict where we'd be right now, I’d be a long, long way off the current state of affairs. But there is no doubt that we have an excellent, exciting squad, and that the hope (which is famously what ends up killing you) is very much alive.

Whatever plays out between now and the end of the season, Mariona Caldentey will have a big part to play. That much I’m sure of.

We’re lucky to have you, Mariona.