The press heard from Laia Codina on Friday morning at Sobha Realty Training Centre ahead of Arsenal’s UEFA Women’s Champions League qualifying meeting with Rosenborg on Saturday evening. The Gunners triumphed to 6-0 victory over Rangers on Wednesday evening, and now turn their attention toward the final of the mini-tournament qualification stages.
A standout performer in Wednesday’s evenings dominant display was defender Laia Codina, as she started alongside Leah Williamson in the centre-back position at Meadow Park. The Catalan defender spoke to the press about how Arsenal’s intra-club competition has helped her flourish during her time in North London.
Embed from Getty Images‘The competition is high’
Codina has had to bide her time in North London when waiting for her opportunity to start for the Gunners, but has flexed her muscles when given her chances. Codina starred alongside Williamson against Rangers, and the Catalan defender showcased how far she has come since signing with Arsenal.
Speaking on forming strong relationships with her defensive counterparts, Codina expressed, “Not only with Leah, with Lotte [Wubben-Moy] too, and Katie Reid, they are great centre-backs.“
Codina continued, “We talk a lot to each other, whoever is playing. This is great for the players that are starting. With Leah, yes we prepared a bit during pre-season but I did with Lotte and Katie too. That competition is high but when you are at Arsenal, that is how it is.”
Codina assured that her strong performances of late will come with no complacency as she continues to fight for a starting position. She said, “It was me in the starting eleven on Wednesday but you never know what happens for the next game. Whoever will be my partner at centre-back, or maybe I am on the bench, we are training at a high level and helping each other and I really appreciate that from my teammates.”
The defender also praised how healthy competition can drive the standards, expressing, “People who know me and the staff here I think can really feel that I like the competition. It is something that helps us to grow as players, you appreciate it as a player.“
Codina also touched on teammate Amanda Ilestedt, who is currently out on pregnancy leave as she awaits the exciting arrival of her child. She said, “Also we have Amanda, who is out for a good reason. I think I can speak for all the team that having this competition is good for all of us.”
Embed from Getty Images‘I really felt like I was in the right place here’
Codina made the move to Arsenal in summer of 2023, following a historic campaign at the FIFA Women’s World Cup after La Roja were crowned Champions of the World.
One year on from her move to North London, Codina spoke about how she is experiencing an ever-growing sense of belonging with the Gunners, and how she has adjusted to the move.
“I wasn’t playing as much as I wanted last season. Maybe until about December, I didn’t really feel like I was settled in but now I feel I am the player that I want to be.”
Codina continued, “I am a player who wants to speak a lot on and off the pitch, maybe because of the language I needed more time for that. I think you can see now, because I am more comfortable with the language I can be a leader on the pitch. It is easier for me because I can speak I can play better.
I said after the Olympics I really wanted to come back and start the season because I think it can be a great season, we have our goals and one of those starts tomorrow.”
The Spanish defender has not only had to adapt to the English playing style, but the language itself. Codina spoke in regards to her remarkable progress in England, expressing “From December, I don’t know why [but] my mind just changed and I just started to understand English better.”
She continued, “On Wednesday, having those minutes, I played well and it can show what I have been working on. In training I wasn’t always that Laia we saw on Wednesday. Maybe it was more difficult to find that Laia before last Christmas. I wish it could’ve happened more during last season.”
“It helps in the team if I can talk to the team. To change how we press, how we build up. I am in a position where I can see everything on the pitch so I have to help, so that is why I like to speak on the pitch. It is very helpful for my teammates.”
Arsenal will face Rosenborg this evening at Meadow Park, with proceedings heading underway at 19:30 BST.
