by Ben Gilby and Genevieve Henry (16/10/25)
Above: Kyra Cooney-Cross in action as a second-half substitute against Brighton and Hove Albion on Sunday. Photo: Arsenal Women.
Arsenal’s start to the season has seen four points dropped to top four rivals Manchester City and Manchester United, as well as being frustrated at home by Aston Villa, and defeat in the opening game of their Champions League defence to Olympique Lyonnes. A lack of pace in build-ups and problems beating ultra-high presses have been a key part of this. Yet Renée Slegers has a player whose very raison d’être can solve both problems.
The 23-year-old is a player that Impetus‘ team of writers have been following closely since her debut as a 15-year-old in what was then the W-League. It was clear from those embryonic days that here was a youngster who could have the world at her feet – (https://impetusfootball.org/2023/09/23/the-stations-of-the-cooney-cross/).
Now, two of our editors examine exactly what the Matilda can bring to the table with more game time, as well as the potential knock-on impact for those around her in the team’s midfield.
Urgency, set-piece mayhem, and the X-Factor
by Ben Gilby
At their best, Arsenal are a fluid attacking machine that the best of defences cannot stop. However, over the last month or so, the midfield has found it challenging to generate pace to deliver incisive attacks and play killer balls to the strike force.
The Gunners have found it exceptionally difficult to break through the shackles of a high-press – both Aston Villa and Olympique Lyonnes applied it superbly. The consequence was a lack of urgency coming forward, and a tendency to play sideways and backwards, looking to create space, with wide players having limited possession, and when the likes of Beth Mead and Chloe Kelly did receive the ball, they found themselves swallowed up immediately.
Cooney-Cross has all the tools in her bag to unlock these problems. The Australian has always had exceptional close control, and over the course of her time in England, has developed this ability with pace. It means that the former Melbourne Victory and Hammarby star knows nothing other than to take on players directly who are looking to deny her space, and she has the footwork to escape from these tight corners.
Whilst Renee Slegers is going to stick with Kim Little in the Gunners’ midfield, when the North Londoners are finding it hard to create space and urgency, the call needs to come to Cooney-Cross to come on and change the game.
The Herston-born star is a player who needs a good chunk of time on the pitch to operate. She isn’t going to do it in the last five minutes or so. Give Cooney-Cross at least half an hour off the bench, and the influence will come to the boil, and have the space to run, stretch the midfield, find the passes, and hit a few of those long-range rockets that she’s known for.
Against Brighton and Hove Albion on Sunday, Cooney-Cross showed exactly what she can do with an increased amount of game time. There were 25 minutes of regulation time (and a huge chunk of injury time) for her to weave her magic. An Arsenal side who were finding it hard to replicate the pace and rapid passing that gave them an early lead suddenly could move the ball again. Brighton were not able to maintain as much control on the play in the middle third as Cooney-Cross took them on in one-on-one duels and spread the focus of attack to those outside her.
We haven’t even mentioned her ability for viciously whipping corners (see (https://impetusfootball.org/2021/04/12/cooney-cross-seals-melbournes-victory/) and free-kicks. This is a player who can change games. Arsenal need to be using her.
Progress has a price
by Genevieve Henry
While Kyra Cooney-Cross has shown she deserves far more playing time for Arsenal, her inclusion inevitably comes at the cost of another midfielder’s minutes. With Kim Little, Frida Maanum, Victoria Pelova, and Mariona Caldentey all competing with the Australian for a starting spot in Renée Sleger’s midfield, the question isn’t whether Cooney-Cross is good enough — it’s who makes way.
The most logical answer, at least long-term, seems to be Kim Little.
Little has been the heartbeat of the club for over a decade as the captain, tempo-setter, and one of the most consistent performers in the WSL. But as she nears the end of her career, transitioning into a Cooney-Cross-centered midfield may be just the thing Arsenal need to find their spark this season.
Where Little is a stabilizer, Cooney-Cross is an energizer. Little calms the chaos; Cooney-Cross thrives in it. Arsenal have been slow to find their rhythm and identity as they started this season, and they may need more of the latter.
Little’s skills lie in her ability to read play, dictate tempo, and position herself and her teammates smartly. But Arsenal’s recent inconsistency has exposed the need for more drive through the midfield.
That’s where Cooney-Cross shines, playing with urgency: pressing high, breaking lines with expert through-balls, and shifting momentum from defense to attack with her signature skill of intercepting attacks and quickly carrying the ball up the field in a driving counter-attack.
This decision would not be an easy one, as Little remains one of the most intelligent and respected midfielders in the league. While her scoring record has waned recently– scoring just two goals in each of the past two seasons– her leadership and decision-making remain invaluable.
For Cooney-Cross to take over Little’s role, she would need to expand her attacking influence. She’s shown flashes of it, but to start for Arsenal in the most important matches, the Australian will need to improve her confidence and consistency in front of net.
Cooney-Cross has already proven she can thrive at the highest level. Alongside Katrina Gorry, Australia’s midfield for the past few years, and during their remarkable 2023 World Cup run, was built around Cooney-Cross. Her calm under pressure, the range of passing, and an ability to control games against elite opposition all prove that she is ready for more.
With the Asian Cup approaching, Cooney-Cross is again expected to be the focal point for the Matildas. Yet it raises a fair question: how sustainable is it for a national team to build around a player who isn’t playing regularly at club level?
In Cooney-Cross’s third season now at Arsenal, her youth is no longer an acceptable excuse for her lack of playing time and responsibility. She should be a player in her prime, not one on the bench. Unfortunately, not everyone can be on the field at once. Regardless of what transpires this season, some players are going to have to draw the short straw. Australian fans will hope that it isn’t Cooney-Cross for much longer.
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