“Working together and sharing knowledge is key to growing the women’s game”: Arsenal legend Kim Little shares advice for Indian football

Kim Little recently played her 400th game for Arsenal

As football as a sport grows across the world, today it knows no boundaries. The women’s football has reached remarkable heights in terms of popularity, quality and entertainment, standing toe to toe with men’s football on the world stage. Among the legends who have helped to shape the rise of women’s football is Kim Little, the legendary Arsenal midfielder whose influence on the game is tremendous.

With over 400 appearances for the Gunners, Kim Little has established herself as one of the greatest midfielders in football history. Renowned for her leadership and elegance on the ball, she is often compared to the likes of Andres Iniesta and Luka Modric.

Khel Now had a wonderful opportunity to speak with the iconic midfielder, where she reflected on her incredible journey with Arsenal and shared valuable advice for the growth of Indian football.

Let us take a look at what the Arsenal legend had to say.

Proud of the fans

When Khel Now asked Kim Little about her journey at Arsenal and the fans, the midfielder shared her views on the Arsenal fans and the environment that they create at the Emirates regardless of the result.

She also emphasized on how the average attendance in the stadium is increasing year after year and how it is something positive to consider.

The midfielder said, “Yeah, my journey obviously started in that first spell in 2008, I think it was. Yeah, with a much smaller kind of support and fan base than we do now and yeah, my career has kind of spanned this incredible growth of the women’s game but also here at Arsenal. You know, now we are playing, you know, at the Emirates now for most of our games every year and yeah, with our average attendance increasing every year as well and with, you know, those season ticket holders too and growing and growing.”

“So, yeah, that in itself was really special and every time we, well, any game we play, really, but obviously, especially at the Emirates, even our game there on Sunday in our semi-final against Lyon, we are creating these really incredible moments with our supporters, and you can feel that and it’s so special to get that kind of occasion almost every other week now and then, obviously the people whom you mentioned to celebrate my 400th game were another special moment.”

“Obviously, for me individually, but I think also showing the collective of the club, you know, from the players to our supporters to all our staff who kind of organise that, and yeah, it’s just incredible growth and a really special and unique kind of environment that I get to witness and experience and they do that, you know, constantly.”

“We’ve got these big banners, I think one’s only in the land, you know, after we won the Champions League, and yeah, it just creates a really special kind of occasion and atmosphere at the Emirates, and our supporters are a big part of that and not just at the Emirates, but our travelling fans who come to all of our away games and sell out all their away ends every game. Yeah, it’s just really unique, it’s really special, and I’m so glad that I get to play in front of that and to experience that as a player.”, she concluded.

400 appearances for Arsenal: an emotional moment

When Khel Now asked Kim Little about the incredible welcome she received at the Emirates Stadium after completing 400 appearances for Arsenal W.F.C., and the special “Leader, Legend, Little” tifo prepared by the Arsenal fans, the legendary midfielder reflected on the emotional moment with immense gratitude.

She also spoke about the journey of the club since she first joined Arsenal back in 2008, highlighting the massive growth of both the club and women’s football over the years.

Kim Little replied, “It was very unexpected. I looked up and wasn’t expecting to see my face that big. And for it to say my name and ‘leader’ and ‘legend’—those are things I hold really dearly with the positions I have at the club—so to be recognised in that way by the club and the fans made me quite emotional.”

“I was walking out with my family, my nieces and nephews, so it all came into one moment. The emotion people saw was just a real appreciation for that moment.”

“In terms of the differences from when I first signed in 2008, one of the biggest changes is the squad. Back then, it was mainly UK and Irish players—I don’t think there were players from outside those nations. Now, as the game has grown and professionalised, we have a multinational group of players from across the world, all among the best from their countries.”

“That’s one of the biggest changes and it really emphasises the growth of the game. In terms of quality, though, this club has always had incredible players, and it’s hard to differentiate between the amazing players from when I first joined and the ones we have now.”

Expectations of winning the Women’s Super League (WSL)

When we asked her about her expectations of the ongoing Women’s Super League (WSL), Kim Little replied with focus and stressed on the importance of focusing on the matches that are next rather than thinking way ahead but also keeping in mind the importance of winning silverware.

“One of the things we pride ourselves on is focusing on the next game, and that allows us to perform at our best in the present moment. We don’t think too far ahead. Of course, we want to win silverware—we’re not going to deny that—but our most important focus is always the next match. Right now, that’s Leicester, and we want to make sure we get as many points on the board as possible and push Manchester City as much as we can. That’s how we approach it and how we frame our focus.”

Her role in the team

Kim Little also explained her role and responsibilities in the Arsenal team. She put a significant importance on balancing the creativity in the midfield alongside defensive responsibilities.

“Yeah, I think it’s something for me as an individual. I’ve always been very aware of where the game is and the progression of the kind of professionalisation and of the game. One, in terms of physicality, obviously, with more females playing in more professional environments, players are becoming faster and stronger, have better endurance because we’re training in elite environments. So I was naturally aware of that and made sure that as an individual, I was growing with that game and to keep myself in a place to be able to compete.”

“And I think that’s still continuing now. And then, similar to the tactical, how tactical the game is now, I think because of the professionalisation of the game, we have multiple technical and analysis staff at our clubs now, which provides us with a lot of detail around what we should do tactically going into games. So that naturally has made the game evolve and become that way, which I think makes it exciting to play in, but also for fans and supporters to watch and to understand.”

Advice for Indian football

The Arsenal legend also shared some very insightful advice for Indian football, especially Indian women’s football putting the focus on working together and sharing knowledge.

The Arsenal legend said, “I don’t know entirely the setup in India or in many other countries, but I’ve played in different places like the USA, Australia, Scotland and England. One thing I would say is to not necessarily mimic, but to connect with the broader women’s game globally as much as possible. For countries where the game is still developing, building connections with nations like the UK, USA, France and Germany can really help.”

“Creating networks to understand the infrastructure and systems needed is very important. In general, collaboration—whether between clubs, leagues or countries—is key to growing the women’s game. Working together and sharing knowledge is, for me, one of the most important ways to push the game forward.”, Kim concluded with.

Where to catch the WSL action live in India?

Fans in India can catch the Women’s Super League (WSL) action live on FanCode, who are streaming the WSL matches exclusively in India.

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