The winter window saw Arsenal put pen to paper with US International, Emily Fox. A dynamic defender with 39 international caps under her belt, Fox’s arrival immediately generated an excitable buzz throughout North London.

Just days after putting pen to paper in N5, Fox made her Arsenal debut in the club’s 5-1 victory over Watford in the Adobe Women’s FA Cup. Despite only been given her spot in the red and white just three days prior, a loud rendition of Fox’s name cleverly placed in the tune of Kim Wilde’s “Kids in America”, could be heard shaking the stands of Borehamwood’s North Bank.

It would be a short wait before the American would make her Barclays Women’s Super League debut for Arsenal, Fox named in Jonas Eidevall’s starting XI for their league clash against Everton at home. After achieving 2-1 victory at Meadow Park, Emily Fox joined the media in a post-match conversation to reflect on her short stint with Arsenal so far.

“I’ve been amazed at how seamless it’s been, just being here. The girls and the staff and all the fans have been so welcoming, it feels like I’ve been here for a while, in a good way.

It’s crazy that it’s only been two and a half weeks. I’m really excited, it’s been really fun, and I’m enjoying it.”

“The game is changing, more people want to go overseas, and they should be able to”

Fox has joined the Gunners over from National Women’s Soccer League club, North Carolina Courage. Despite only having played just the two games in the Barclays Women’s Super League yet, Fox provided her insight in to how she believes the two leagues differ in terms of their footballing brand.

“It’s probably tough to judge that [after two games], but in the NWSL there’s a lot more transition, and I think your physicality in general, in terms of running. Where as here [WSL] it’s a little bit more tactical, which I think is the main difference.”

Speaking on what lead to her decision to make the move to England, Fox described the move as one that has always lingered in the back of her mind.

“I knew I always wanted to go overseas, but leaning on people I trust I knew that it was important to get a couple years of experience professionally first in America and then make that step over here once I had the experience

For me, there are so many UNC players [the current likes of Alessia Russo and Lotte Wubben-Moy] that have ended up Arsenal. Having that connection and seeing them do it gave me inspiration to want to come here. I’ve always wanted to do it, and I know I want to be here- I know it’s going to be tough, but I know that I can grind it out and do what I can.”

Growing relationships on the field

Fox’s two appearances for the Gunners have both seen her start along the right-side, sitting in and behind Beth Mead. When asked how she has found the development of that on-field relationship, Fox reflected on how her partnership with Mead has been seamlessly natural.

“I feel like it’s been very natural, I think we both understand the game. With that relationship, not having to communicate and just to know- that’s important and that just takes time. But yeah, we’ve definitely been talking and it’s been really easy to work with her, she’s an amazing player.”

As well as claiming the right-side territory with the likes of Mead, Fox has also seemed to slot seamlessly into Eidevall’s last line. Speaking on how she has found the transition, Fox spoke in high regard of current centre-back pairing, Lotte Wubben-Moy and Amanda Ilestedt.

“It’s been great, they’re [Wubben-Moy and Ilestedt] very communicative and easy to work with. It’s only been two games so a lot of times with defence it does take a long time to have that non-verbal, and just know what people are going to do tendency wise. But, I think it’s been really good.”

Warm welcome from Arsenal fans

After signing with the club, Fox confirmed that she was in the audience for Arsenal’s 4-1 victory over Chelsea at Emirates Stadium- an appearance that went unnoticed by fans. It goes without saying that Arsenal fans are prominent trailblazers for the growing fan culture in the Barclays Women’s Super League, something that Fox spoke of in high regard. When asked about her pending opportunity to play at a packed-out Emirates Stadium, Fox responded with an inextinguishable grin- “I am so excited”

“When I was at the Chelsea game, it was so surreal being at the Emirates. But being here [Meadow Park] I feel like it’s just as loud and just as rowdy so it’s been really special.”

Speaking highly of her newly coined ‘Emily Fox from America’ ballad, Fox joked along with excitement. “It’s been really special having a chant. We don’t have that in the US, it’s always like ‘go team’ or ‘go defence’’ so that’s been really fun.”

Emily Fox is back in action with Arsenal on Wednesday evening in the FA Continental Tyres League Cup, as the Gunners travel to face Reading at Select Car Leasing Stadium.