Emily Fox on Arsenal’s Draw with Barcelona at Camp Nou

Um, how'd you find that today?

Uh, I found it hard. Um- ... I mean, Barcelona is such a good team.

Playing them at the Camp Nou is a dream.

Um, but like you said, the match was a lot of running, a lot of defensive effort from the whole team, top to bottom.

Um, but we got the tie, so. Um, Emily, I want to ask, I think you had such a great game.

Um, as we all sing your praises about no matter who you're going against, it seems like your timing, your recovery is all just so well orchestrated.

But there was a big difference between you guys defensively in the first half to the second half.

What was said at halftime and the adjustments you guys made to handle all of the attacking prowess of Barca?

Yeah. Um, I think in the first half, their adjustment, they started to have more rotations out.

So I think for us, not being stagnant and really being aggressive and, um, trying our best to keep them out of the pockets and outside the central of the field.

So, that was a big thing that we talked about.

Um, and then from the first half, first on corners and first on blocking shots.

Emily, how did you, uh, adjust going into halftime?

Um, because we talked about how you were considered the underdog going into this match.

I think anybody who plays Barcelona is the underdog, especially playing them at Camp Nou.

But in the second half, we saw just a really good version from you all.

What was the conversation like, uh, leading into this match and at halftime?

I think, you know, the last time we played them, we had, had some amazing memories and we, we knew for them coming to their place, it was going to be a hard game and, and they probably saw it as a rematch, as did we.

So, I think having confidence in our game plan and each other, um, knowing that we were going to work for each other no matter what, no matter mistakes, um, what have you.

And again, I think during halftime, we just talked about keep doing what we're doing, keep giving the hard time, keep being aggressive, physical, bumping and blocking them.

Um, and we have 45 minutes to go. Hey, Foxy. Um- Hey, girl. Hey.

Um, hi. You had such an incredible game.

I mean, obviously as an outside back, we know the work rate that needs to go into defending a top, top team such as Barca.

But, um, you know, you're, you're so important for this team going forward.

And obviously this was a game where you probably had to pick and choose which moments, you know, you were going to take some space.

But, you know, how was it for you finding the balance?

Like, what went through your mind when you were like, "Okay, maybe this is a moment where I can go forward, or maybe I need to be a bit more, uh, reserved"?

Yeah. Um, I think, like you said, before this game, I knew that it was going to be more of a defensive game for me.

Um, they have so many threats up top. And like I said before, I think the rotations are so hard to defend.

And a lot of times you find yourself 2v1, 3v1, 3v2.

Um, so like you said, defending first, that was the first thing.

And then when I did have the opportunities, um, I think especially in the first half, there was a lot of third man runs that were open and, and blindside runs that were open.

So, we tried to exploit them there and, and that's what helped lead to the goal.

So, definitely a, a pick and choose, like you said.

Well, you looked really dangerous when you were going forward, Emily.

But I want to ask you of two players that formerly played with Barcelona, have won so much with them in Mariana Caldentey, although she didn't feature in the game, and then Ona Batlle, who came in on the other side of the pitch.

What advice were they giving you all going into this game and maybe at halftime as well to make those little adjustments against a team they're so familiar with?

Yeah. Um, I mean, Mariana was just telling me, again, with, with Pina, how dangerous she is with her right foot and, and wanting to cut inside and she only needs half an inch to score a, a banger.

So, that was one thing that she had mentioned to me to, to keep an eye on.

Um, and then again, second half adjustments, still just keep doing what we're doing, but make sure that we have that aggressive, um, approach and that we're communicating to each other with subs coming on and people coming out and them needing to match the energy of,

of such a hard game. Mm. Emily, you and Arsenal have got quite a, a interesting week coming up.

You got, you got London City Lionesses this weekend in the WSL, and then you're going to be taking on eight-time champions in Lyon next week in the Women's Champions League. How are you feeling ahead of those games?

How are you going to use this result as almost like a stepping stone going into those two?

Yeah. Um, we have a crazy schedule. That, that's how we like it, is how I like to see it.

Um, but no, our mentality was first and foremost Barcelona and, and Champions League and doing well here.

Um, I think now that the game's over, our sights are on Sunday, um, with London City.

And then after London City, again, focus on Lyon.

So, we definitely have a tight and hard schedule, but I think we can gain some confidence from this game against Barcelona away. Yes, definitely.

Well, Emily, we really appreciate your time.

Looking forward to seeing you, uh, on the pitch against London City this weekend.

Thanks for joining us.

Thank you, guys.