Arsenal have 'built something huge' with fans - Walti

Arsenal had a crowd of 60,063 at their Champions League semi-final defeat by Wolfsburg in May at Emirates Stadium

Arsenal midfielder Lia Walti says the growth of the club's fanbase and their support for the women's team was a key factor in her decision to stay.

The Switzerland international pointed to record crowds at Emirates Stadium as a clear demonstration of the club's commitment to the women's team.

She added: "We've built something huge here with the Arsenal family.

"The support this season has been incredible. I came here five or six seasons ago and we barely sold out Meadow Park then so it's incredible how the support is growing and people are coming to our away games.

"We've had every away game sold out so far this season I think which shows how much the club is doing all the right things to help the women's game grow. That was one of the main reasons why I really wanted to stay here - to be a part of it.

"You can feel as a player, that women's football has high priority. I'm so glad that all the fans can see that as well and they want to be there every week to support us no matter where we play or who we play."

Bristol City set a club record women's attendance of 12,008 fans in the defeat by Arsenal at Ashton Gate last month, while Jonas Eidevall's side set a new WSL record with 54,115 at Emirates Stadium on the opening day of the season.

They also had an attendance of 35,829 at Emirates Stadium in their victory over Aston Villa last month, while a sold-out crowd of 60,063 watched their Champions League semi-final defeat by Wolfsburg in May.

"Our generation was used to playing in front of a couple of hundred people and now almost every week to have crowds like that gives you a big boost," added Walti.

"It's incredible to celebrate with the fans when we score. It's so much more fun. The most difference we ever felt in our careers was when it was during Covid and we had zero fans. It felt empty and not as important when we won without them.

"From the first day at Arsenal I felt it was a place I could imagine being at for many, many years. But when you're my age, there was a decision to be made last season.

"There were definitely other options but at the same time, I know what I have here and I knew I could feel the growth of the game - not just in the league but in the club. The facilities we have here and everything around it - you just want to be part of it.

"I didn't want to miss out because I do believe that there's so much more potential to reach. The right people are here at Arsenal to keep going to those next steps and the fanbase is huge. It is something we worked our whole careers for."