”It’s a first for women’s football…”- Steph Catley excited to face the All Stars

Impetus’ Emma Burke and Kris Goman were at the Arsenal media conference and training session in Melbourne today ahead of their game against the A-League Women All Stars tomorrow to bring you all the details from the event (23/5/24).

Above: Kim Little, Jonas Eidevall, and Steph Catley at today’s Arsenal media conference in Melbourne. Photo: Kris Goman for Impetus.

Arsenal head coach Jonas Eidevall, captain Kim Little, and their Matildas’ captain Steph Catley faced media in Melbourne today ahead of the Gunners’ game against the A-League Women All Stars tomorrow.

“We focus on playing our football and doing that as best as possible to represent the badge and our way of playing and hopefully if you are not already in love with Arsenal you will be when you see the team play,” said Eidevall of the club.

**Above:** A relaxed Arsenal head coach Jonas Eidevall at today’s media conference in Melbourne. **Photo:** Kris Goman for *Impetus*.

Arsenal have travelled to Melbourne with a star-studded line up including their three Australian players in Steph Catley, Kyra Cooney-Cross, and Caitlin Foord, and a slew of other international names such as Republic of Ireland captain Katie McCabe, Lionesses star Alessia Russo, and Norway’s Frida Maanum.

They’re set to face an All Star contingent that is made up of Matildas such as Cortnee Vine, Tameka Yallop, league Golden Boot winner Michelle Heyman, and former Arsenal goalkeeper Lydia Williams in one of her final appearances on Australian soil.

**Above:** Joe Montemurro, the former Arsenal head coach, who takes charge of the A-League Woman All-Stars side tomorrow. **Photo:** Kris Goman for *Impetus*.

“It’s a great opportunity to see the best from a league that has produced so many great talents over the years,” said Eidevall of the opportunity to play this fixture. “It’s homegrown talent and it’s going to be exciting to see what that is tomorrow night,” he continued.

This is the first time the A-League Women has had an All-Stars contingent – another example of the continued growth of the women’s game.

“It’s a first for women’s football and it’s really special to be involved. It’s something that Arsenal is doing on the daily, breaking barriers and being the first to do things,” said Steph Catley.

**Above:** Matildas captain Steph Catley at the Arsenal media conference today. **Photo:** Kris Goman for *Impetus*.

“The change has been astronomical really since the World Cup for me, since the Euros in England for the [Women’s Super League],” she said.

Long gone are the days when Catley played alongside her Arsenal captain for Melbourne City in 2015/16 in front of a few hundred people.

“I loved living here, we lived just north of the City when I was here and I loved the City, so yeah it’s nice to be back even though we’re only here briefly,” said Kim Little.

**Above:** Kim Little in today’s media conference in Melbourne. **Photo:** Kris Goman for *Impteus.*

That season, eight years ago, saw Melbourne City’s introduction into the women’s league, coached by Joe Montemurro, who is coaching the All-Stars in tomorrow night’s game.

City won all of their games, becoming Premiers, and then Champions of the league, and Little was voted Player’s Player of the Season.

“I could never have even imagined back in the day, back then, that we would be where we are now. It’s pretty special,” Catley admitted. “To be here with my club team is a unique experience.”