Arsenal’s Lotte Wubben-Moy is coming off the back of her best season yet. The staunch defender is now widely regarded as an asset to the backline of the Gunners, and worked her way into Sarina Wiegman’s starting eleven back in April for a UEFA Women’s European Championship qualifier under the arch of Wembley Stadium. However, the centre-back’s impact goes further than the field.

An Arsenal Academy product and childhood supporter turned key player for Jonas Eidevall’s side, the no. 3 signed professionally in 2020 from her stint state-side with the University of North Carolina Tar Heels.

Following a mountainous campaign, the conclusion of the 2023/24 Barclays Women’s Super League season saw Wubben-Moy presented with the MasterCard Player of the Season Award. Though the meaning of Wubben-Moy’s time in N5 runs deeper than her own London roots, as she continues to serve the side with composure and creativity both on and off the pitch.

Earlier this month at an FA Council meeting, the Londoner won the Charlton Award for impact in football. Wubben-Moy’s dedication to giving back to the community makes her stand out as more than just a footballer. The FA Chair, Debbie Hewitt MBE, said “It is with a great honour and privilege that we are able to celebrate the achievements of Sir Bobby Charlton and Charlotte Hope through the Charlton and Hope Awards. Their commitment and dedication to football leaves a lasting legacy and we will never forget their contributions.”

“Our winners for this year have shown incredible passion and determination to use the power of football to bring about positive change in society and we congratulate them on their achievements and well-deserved recognition.”

The award recognises an individual who has demonstrated strong ambition to leave football and society in a better place, and will be presented at an international game this Autumn. Arsenal expressed that “The judges noted the significant role she has played in getting equal access to football for girls, alongside her success on the pitch.”

Wubben-Moy signed a contract extension with the Gunners in 2022, and began to work even more closely with Arsenal in the Community and the Hub to create the Time to Explore programme.

Time to Explore is an initiative that provides free creative sessions every week for 16-year-old girls in the Hackney, Islington, and Camden areas of London. Wubben-Moy shares some insightful words about the important project and the opportunities it generates, on the Arsenal website.

“They play football 25% of the time, but the other 75% of the time is spent exploring things that I think helped me in my youth grow into the person I am today, the person that doesn’t just focus on football and appreciates other things in the world.” 

“It’s an array of different things that I’m passionate about, and that I hope these girls might be passionate about too. That’s what Time To Explore is about: it’s exploring whether you like something, but also whether you want to pursue something further and using football as a means to do that.”

“I think all too often at school, we’re told no. We’re told to be quiet, we’re told to behave, and in reality, I think the most growth you make as a young woman is when you’re free when you’re able to express yourself.”

Lotte Wubben-Moy’s impact goes far beyond just Arsenal. After the Lionesses success at the 2022 European Championships, the defender led the calls for young girls to be granted opportunity and access to play football at school.

She wrote an open letter in support of the School Sports pledge, expressing:

“I never for one moment thought it was possible to become a professional footballer all those years ago. No sooner would I have believed you if you’d said I’d be writing letters to the prime minister. But I’m part of a generation who knows no end to our dreams.

“We dreamed of becoming European champions. We harbour dreams for this summer’s World Cup. And we also dream of a time when girls watch the Women’s Super League on a Sunday afternoon and run into school on a Monday morning ready for their shooting drills, emulating their heroes and dreaming with no limits.

Our letter and lobbying reached the ears of those most powerful within the country. As of Wednesday’s news from No 10 Downing Street, millions of girls in schools across the nation will now finally have equal access to football at school. They will be able to do what their male classmates have been able to do for years: play football at school.”

Despite becoming a star player of the red and white, Lotte Wubben-Moy proves time and time again, why she is more than just a footballer.