Everything but the Football: Arsenal
WSL Football sat down with Arsenal’s Mariona Caldentey and Smilla Holmberg for a conversation about everything except the game they play.
Moving to a new country, a new club, and a new league is a daunting prospect for any footballer at any stage in their career. In this period of change, developing different routines and establishing relationships all while maintaining connections to home can be a tough balancing act. But it’s one that Smilla Holmberg is embracing. “It has been an intense few weeks but in a good way,” says the 19-year old Swedish international who joined The Gunners from Damallsvenskan side Hammarby during the winter transfer window.
Away from the Sobha Realty Training Centre, Holmberg has filled all her recent free time setting up her new apartment. And yes, her furniture has come from IKEA. Stina Blackstenius, Holmberg’s fellow Swede in North London, has been a crucial helping hand, “she’s helped me with my apartment and to then move all my things.”
In joining the WSL, Holmberg finds herself among numerous other Swedish internationals who have made the decision to relocate. “Many of my recent teammates live here in England now,” she shares, adding yet more praise for Blackstenius, “I'm so thankful to have her here.”
The hectic nature of a major move is an experience shared by Holmberg’s Arsenal teammate Mariona Caldentey. The Spanish midfielder came to the WSL in the summer of 2024 following an extremely successful decade at FC Barcelona. “I think the first year went by so quickly. But this year I feel at home and I feel really comfortable,” she shares of becoming acclimatised to her life in England. “It sounds a bit silly, but to go to the supermarket, or when you need something and you don't really know where to go, it makes you feel a bit sad or disappointed in the beginning.”
Of course, Caldentey misses the warmer Spanish weather – she is not a fan of having to use umbrellas in the UK, noting “I think it's a bit uncomfortable” – and being near to her prior friendships, but simultaneously feels that, “London is a big city where you have a lot of things that you can enjoy and everyone wants to come to visit you. I love London.”
Away from the day job, Caldentey often chooses to unwind by visiting the cinema with her friends in the Arsenal squad. “Our goal this year with Codi [Laia Codina], Vic [Pelova], Kim [Little], is that we want to go more because it's a nice way to do something together, but that is actually a chilled plan.”
Most recently, along with Arsenal vice-captain Leah Williamson, Caldentey watched Hamnet, the Oscar nominated feature based on the fictionalised lives of William Shakespeare and his wife. However, while Williamson cried from the emotion of the movie, Caldentey struggled to understand the old English language used. “My English is improving and it's okay, but when it's a movie without subtitles and everything goes quick, it's not that easy.”
Sticking with their New Year’s resolution, over the last few weeks the group have made multiple trips to the cinema. “It was lucky for us that we actually had subtitles in some of them.” It’s not just Caldentey though who benefits from the use of subtitles as she spills, “Less [Alessia Russo] the other day said she used subtitles as well when she watched things at home!”
While Caldentey opts for long form drama, sometimes accompanied by salted popcorn as a treat, Holmberg prefers a binge-worthy television series. Her favourite is Netflix’s Stranger Things, although she admits that, “my favourite movie is Taken.” She knows it’s an unexpected choice.
More often than not however, Holmberg revives her energy, and stays connected with loved ones in Sweden, via popular video game Fortnite. Although she’s eager to make clear, “I don't play by myself, it's with friends. Instead of talking on FaceTime, we play Fortnite.”
Given the recent nature of her move, Holmberg hasn’t done much home cooking just yet. “Actually, I bought meatballs from IKEA when I was there this week.” As for British cuisine, “I think English food is nice to be honest.” However she does feel she may not have a final opinion quite yet, “I haven't tried the beans on toast.”
As for Caldentey, a self declared fan of Masterchef, “I like cooking but that doesn't mean that I'm good!” She often makes vegetable soups from scratch, and is hopeful to learn more skills in the kitchen. “I like to cook healthy stuff because it's what I try to eat on a normal day.” And if Caldentey wants to make something a bit more special, she’ll whip up a classic Spanish omelette. “It’s not that healthy, but it’s good.”
Whether it’s Spanish omelettes or Swedish meatballs, both players have found their own ways to bring a taste of home to their new home. And at the core of putting down their roots has been the support of their friends on and off the grass.