The Halfway Line heard from Arsenal midfielder Lia Wälti as she gears up to captain Switzerland through UEFA Women’s EURO 2025.
Wälti came off Renée Slegers’ bench before the 70th minute during Arsenal’s meeting with Manchester City in the Barclays Women’s Super League (WSL) this weekend, having recently returned from injury. A technically sound and composed senior player, she completely altered the game state and helped the Gunners secure a pivotal 4-3 win at the Joie Stadium.
The Swiss international highlighted that Arsenal is her priority when she is at the Sobha Reality Training Centre, but said: “When we go to [national] camp, we’re going to obviously focus on what we’re going to build for the EUROs next year.”
“We have to kind of switch between the two quite quickly, but also be present, because nothing matters other than right here, right now. And I think that’s the challenge – to kind of control the excitement, but also just appreciate that you need to be present in every single moment.”
EUROs help ‘push women’s football’ forward urges Wälti
“I try to stay calm,” Wälti simply clarified when asked about playing in high pressure environments for both club and country.
The senior midfielder became the first ambassador for the tournament earlier this year, and told UEFA “Competing in Women’s EURO 2025 in my home country is a once-in-a-lifetime experience.
“Our goal is to perform at our best and help make this tournament a nationwide celebration. To achieve this, we need to start building awareness and engaging with our local communities now. We aim to deliver an outstanding performance on the pitch and share our joy and excitement with the crowd.”
Wälti’s impact goes far beyond the middle of the field. A creative and vocal figure, the Gunner says she strives to “Take responsibility and use my voice to push women’s football in Switzerland into the right direction.”
Injury struggles mean ‘I appreciate my health’ tells Wälti
Wälti suffered a knee injury during the back end of last season, and was forced to spend a long period recovering on the sidelines. This campaign has also brought health challenges for the 31-year-old, who underwent surgery in Switzerland to remove an abscess late last year.
Ahead of this summer’s endeavours, the midfielder explained, “We want to be fit for country and club. So you do everything you possibly can. I think a lot of times after injuries, you have to be a little bit patient, patient with yourself, patient with the chance to play again.”
Wälti also affirmed that her sheer determination and love for the game only continues to blossom. “I just appreciate my health even more,” she said, “I really enjoy being on the pitch every day, being able to perform on a good level, be here at Arsenal, playing for one of the best clubs in the world, and also preparing for a home EUROs. So I do everything to stay healthy now, and really appreciate that.”
Captains ‘lead by example’ on and off the pitch says Wälti
Wälti has been a key player and crucial part of the leadership team for Arsenal since signing for the club back in 2018. Her experience on the international stage as well as playing at the highest level of domestic football certainly helps Wälti’s case – if she ever needed one – for wearing the Swiss captain’s armband.
The midfielder spoke on how not only her career on the field, but also her character in the dressing room makes her a good leader, saying “I’m naturally a person who likes, likes to take responsibility, to kind of lead by example, help young players and help making decisions.”
“I can help on the pitch, my experience helps in decisions and positioning defensively as well controlling the game. So, I’m just trying to bring that on the pitch. When I’m off the pitch, I’m trying to kind of see the game through my eyes, and help the players if they need some help from the sidelines.”
February’s imminent international break will see Wälti’s Switzerland host Iceland in the UEFA Women’s Nations League, before travelling to Norway.
