Gooner Fanzine Arsenal Women awards: Find out who impressed our contributors in 2024-25

The Gooner’s AWFC team choose their player of the season amongst five awards

Player of the season

Freddie Cardy: Mariona Caldentey -

Quite simply, a pleasure to watch. Even during the early weeks of the season when Mariona was clearly adapting to Arsenal and English football, her work rate is what impressed me the most. At Southampton in pre-season, Mariona came off at half-time and immediately became engaged in a lengthy conversation with Kim Little as the two began their warm-down, eager to make her imprint on the side as quickly as possible. She is a born winner, and a player that rises to the biggest occasion, whether it’s out wide, in the ten, or in a deeper role. And she didn’t cost a penny.

Suzy Lycett: Mariona Caldentey -

So many players could take this spot but the impact of Mariona can't be understated. She's a joy to track from the photographer's vantage point. Mario loses the ball, she springs into action immediately to regain it. When she has the ball, you stay on her or run the risk of missing a moment of brilliance. Yes, she can have off days - but it shows in the team's performance when she does. She is a player that makes the team tick, and I suspect it's no coincidence that we have now reached a final with her addition. The difference between winning and losing is incremental at the top levels - and she tips the balance. 

Daisy Goodhand: Mariona Caldentey -

Honestly, I’d be shocked if anyone isn’t picking Mariona Caldentey! She’s completely changed the game for us this season and has taken Arsenal to a whole new level, especially in the Champions League. She’s scored goals, provided assists, shown up in the biggest of moments. The way she’s just slotted into different positions without missing a beat. That kind of versatility, especially in a league as tough as this one, in her first season, is unreal.

Isobel Gilligan: Mariona Caldentey -

For me, to follow the trend, it has got to be Mariona Caldentey. To come to a new league and country after playing in one place for so long, and adapt as quickly and seamlessly as she did, it’s amazing. I bought myself a shirt with her name on the back at the first Emirates game of the season, hoping she was going to do well, and she has surpassed all expectations. Her football IQ, ability to play in different positions, humility and just all-round flair, have been such a joy to see, and I hope she continues to shine in red and white.

Lumi Lehmuskallio: Mariona Caldentey -

Mariona, no doubt, she’s been so good. I already knew it from her Barcelona times that she’s amazing but her skills, her winning mentality, all those minutes she has played this season and and and she’s just on different level and I really hope that we can still enjoy that for few seasons to come. Kim Little definitely deserves a shoutout too! She’s definitely been stepping up in big games like she always does!

Layth Yousif: Mariona Caldentey - I love skillful, creative players with vision, quick feet and an eye for goal. Our talented World Cup winning midfielder never fails to deliver 

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Unsung player of the season

FC: Caitlin Foord

- This was an interesting category, mainly as Arsenal’s best team has become quite clear in the second half of the season and we’ve not seen a lot of rotation under Renée Slegers. Foord stands out for me, even if her four goals in Champions League qualifying against Rangers seem like an absolute lifetime ago! The Australian has formed an effective partnership with Katie McCabe and she’s really upped her game in front of goal this season.

SL: Caitlin Foord

- Plenty deserve a lot of credit but Caitlin Foord takes it for me. Her work rate is second to none. She had a tough 23/24 season but then in that first game back, got her four goals vs. Rangers to prove any doubters wrong. With Mario, Chloe, Beth, there's more competition and she upped her game. She's dogged and fights every second she's on the pitch. She deserves a lot of respect for always giving 110%. And I'm going to be cheeky and say Kim Little too, because she always deserves praise. She's set the bar so high that she's made us expect that as standard. To be at her level even in the latter stages of her career? Phenomenal.

DG: Caitlin Foord

- I’ve written about Kim Little before and how important she is, but this time I’m giving it to Caitlin Foord. Last season wasn’t her best, but she’s come back stronger and made herself such a key player for Renée Slegers. She’s scored 6 in the league, 7 in the UWCL, and she’s been way more aggressive at taking players on. She’s shown up in the big games too. Mariona and Alessia Russo even shouted her out at the awards the other night, showing that she’s clearly earned a lot of respect amongst the players this season, too.

IG: Kyra Cooney-Cross

- I have been singing her praises all season, and despite a big decline in minutes in the later games, I have to say Kyra Cooney-Cross. When she was getting consistent minutes, the improvement from last season was huge. The way she controls the ball, how she can attack and defend, and the key part she was able to play in transition are all factors in why I think she is the unsung player of the season. She spent most of 23/24 on the bench, and the fact that she became a regular starter for most of this season is a testament to her patience and hard work, and I hope we see even more from her next year.

LL: Frida Maanum

- Somehow I feel like it’s Frida Maanum, I don’t know whether it’s true or not! But as she is a true Scandi girl who doesn’t really enjoy being in the spotlight, it makes sense why we don’t sing her song that much not to make her feel too uncomfortable.

LY: Katie Reid

- Can you call a talented teenager with a huge future ahead unsung? If so then Katie Reid. 

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Goal of the season

FC: Mariona Caldentey vs Lyon (2nd leg)

- The high vantage point offered by the press box at the Groupama Stadium made aerial balls and shots slightly difficult to judge, but as soon as the ball left Mariona’s foot on the stroke of half-time in Lyon, I knew this was in. As I say, Mariona relishes the big occasions, and the Champions League in particular, and this was just a remarkable goal, finding just enough space to go for goal and send a rocket into the top corner. Check out the Spanish commentary:

Spanish commentary of Mariona Caldentey’s goal is the perfect way to start your morning ? pic.twitter.com/13TADz1Q06

— Freddie Cardy (@CardyFreddie) April 28, 2025

SL: Beth Mead vs BK Häcken (2nd leg)

- There are so many to choose from: Emily Fox's long range stunner in the North London Derby, Katie McCabe's impossible angle versus West Ham, Frida Maanum's against Brighton- but Beth Mead vs. BK Hacken at home takes it for me. This was pre-Sleigers so the team were in a rut. They'd just lost the first leg and they needed a big win. Beth comes on and controls a wonderful volley goal. And to think back to that time, now in the final - it makes it even more special. 

DG: Mariona Caldentey vs Lyon (2nd leg)

- It has to be Mariona’s goal against Lyon. Emily Fox’s strike vs Spurs came close, mainly because I absolutely lost it when my favourite player scored against our rivals right in front of my eyes, but Mariona’s was just something else. Technically brilliant, and it gave us that boost we needed for the comeback of dreams. That goal pretty much kicked off the whole night and got us to the Champions League final. Iconic.

IG: Caitlin Foord vs Lyon (2nd leg)

- There have been some incredible strikes this season, making this decision difficult, but I’ve gone with Caitlin Foord’s goal away in Lyon. Her performance in that game was outstanding, but when she slotted home Arsenal’s fourth goal, that was when the emotions started and it became clear that we were heading to the UWCL final, I was watching from home, but could feel the energy from the stadium, and the goal sealed the comeback of the season. Her work rate meant she was able to capitalise on a defensive error, and send it over the goalkeeper’s head, leaving Lyon in despair, and sending Arsenal to Lisbon.

LL: Lotte Wubben-Moy vs Manchester City

- Somehow Lotte scoring against Man City away is just something that gave me shivers and even now thinking about it makes me emotional. There must have been so many other stunning goals but that’s the first one that comes to my mind!

LY: Mariona Caldentey vs Lyon (2nd leg)

- Outstanding. What an astonishing performance. What a superb result.

Favourite away trip

FC: BK Häcken

- On a personal note, my first solo away trip, something a couple of years ago I thought I’d never have the confidence to do- and so many more enjoyable ones have followed. I’ve told everyone who cares to listen about Gothenburg since- good food, quaint cobbled streets and a beautiful walk along the river in the Swedish sunshine. They say the best trips are always ruined by the football (Arsenal lost 1-0) but I hope to head back to Gothenburg in the future for a football-free weekend.

SL: Valerenga

- Oslo. Every other trip, it's rained, or it's been very rushed. Oslo was minus 10 degrees celsius (not the easiest conditions to shoot a game in, I have an aversion to gloves) but we won. Then, I had a few days to relax and enjoy Christmas markets and a fjord cruise. Lovely country, I'd recommend!

DG: Lyon

- No question. If you saw that Gooner podcast episode (below) you know how much it meant to me. It was my first season doing European away days and that one was just unforgettable. The atmosphere before and after, the way we celebrated, and beating a massive team like Lyon on their turf. It’s what dreams are made of.

A @GoonerFanzine Arsenal Women Podcast full of pride and emotion as myself, @daisygh02 and @isobelgilligan reflected on Arsenal's 4-1 win over Lyon to reach the Champions League final ????https://t.co/aVNY9dxttf

— Freddie Cardy (@CardyFreddie) April 29, 2025

IG: Crystal Palace

- Whilst I had a great time in Madrid, the result and the weather take this out of the running for this award, which narrows down my options. However, I would say my favourite away trip was the short journey across London to play Crystal Palace. A sunny March Sunday, with thousands of Gooners in tow, and 4 Arsenal goals including a classic Beth Mead cross/shot, made for a great day out. This was the first away game I covered for The Gooner, and I managed to get some great quotes from beloved loanee Chloe Kelly. It was a fantastic day, and one that I look back on with fond memories.

LL: BK Häcken

- Despite the result I really enjoyed Gothenburg and Häcken away. It was a beautiful late summer trip to sunny Gothenburg with some great people! Especially a little day trip I made with my friends to the beautiful Swedish archipelago made it special!

LY: Leicester

- Leicester away. A dismal game under the late Eidevall era, but I went to the King Power with my youngest daughter. As a journalist who has covered every Arsenal men's game home and away and all over Europe this season (57 out of 57 ahead of Southampton) unfortunately I don't get much time to take my kids to AWFC games. So it was lovely to have a dad and daughter awayday at Leicester. And we won.

Favourite game

FC: Lyon (2nd leg)

- Perfection, really. An early goal, Mariona’s screamer before half-time, then the nervous sense that Lyon could only get better. Only for the hospitable French hosts to almost roll out a repeat of Arsenal’s 5-1 thrashing in 2022. A sense of ‘Is this actually happening?’ for the entirety of the second half. This is a game I will simply never forget.

SL: Lyon (2nd leg)

- I went in with nervous belief that we MIGHT. And then it became increasingly likely that we could and we would. After Mariona's goal, I refused to get excited. But my hands started shaking after Russo's goal, and I got emotional after Foord's. Sat with the Arsenal media team, looking at each other in disbelief to realise we'd done it - and that I'd been pitchside to capture the moment. Whatever happens next, that day was very, very special.

DG: Lyon (2nd leg)

- No surprise- Arsenal beating Lyon 4-1 is my favourite game too. Slegers got the tactics spot on, and Lyon just didn’t know what hit them. They looked rattled, and we looked like we belonged there from the first whistle. That game will live rent-free in my head for a long time.

IG: Real Madrid (2nd leg)

- The second leg of the UWCL quarter-final against Real Madrid had to be my choice for this category. The atmosphere in the press room, and the stadium was as tense as I’ve ever felt it, especially after the goalless first half. Despite the half-filled stadium, the crowd cheered for every ball played, and the atmosphere was incredible, with a quiet sense of belief trickling through as the minutes ticked on. The quick-fire goals in the second half caused this belief to grow, and another of Arsenal’s signature comebacks was on. An incredible evening under the lights that I will not forget for a long time. 

LL: Lyon (2nd leg)

- Lyon away no question, the West Ham comeback was cool too and winning against Bayern Munich at Meadow Park was a sign that we’ve lifted our game to a new level but nothing tops the lovely sunny Sunday afternoon winning against Lyon, after seeing Barcelona batter Chelsea in the fan meet-up pub before our game!

LY: Tottenham, and Tottenham again

Can I have two please? Covering Arsenal Women beating 3-0 Spurs in N17. And watching with my family at the Emirates as Arsenal Women beat Spurs 5-0 in N5. It was a special day all round as we launched our first ever Gooner Women's print issue.

Can I also just say a massive thank you to everyone who has bought a copy and supported our humble labour of love. And can I also say a massive well done to our brilliant team led by Freddie Cardy, with huge kudos to Gooner's superb photographer Suzy Lycett, as well as Izzy Gilligan, Lumi, Daisy and Adam to name but a few of our talented squad.

Getcha @ArsenalWFC’s @GoonerFanzine here at AWFC vs Manchester United Women outside Arsenal tube now pic.twitter.com/0enEJidlED

— Layth (@laythy29) May 10, 2025