Young Gun: Vivienne Lia Interview News

Follow our 2024/25 Young Gun series as we get to know the academy youngsters kicking off their careers at Sobha Realty Training Centre.

Speedy and skilful, winger Vivienne Lia chats to us about her journey to the first team, growth of her game and how she always plays with a smile on her face. 

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I've been kicking a ball my whole life. I'm the youngest of five, with three brothers and one sister who all played different sports. There’s a big age gap (my eldest brother is 29) and I’ve always looked up to them and tried to emulate them. Even when I was three years old, I’d go to my brother’s training sessions and kick a ball on the sidelines just like him.

We grew up in north London but there are some split loyalties in my house. There are Man United fans, Liverpool fans and then there’s me. As a Gooner, I always get a bit of stick from my siblings but my mum just supports everyone - I think she wants a quiet house!

I joined a club, Whetstone Wanders, when I was 10, playing just down the road from my primary school. My coaches at a young age played a huge part in my development, always encouraging me to be creative and play with freedom and a smile on my face. It helped me a lot to know that it’s okay to express yourself on the pitch, whilst also doing something you love.

I’ve always been a forward but I used to play more centrally until my coaches realised I was too small for that! Nowadays, I'm a pacy winner who’s skilful, creative and loves contributing goals and assists for the team. I wouldn't say I'm superstitious, but I do prefer a pre-match routine. Even when it’s an evening kick-off, I’ll still have porridge for breakfast. As a Christian, I like to pray before my matches because it’s comforting to know that God is looking after me. 

It was a dream come true joining Arsenal. A big step, of course, because the level was higher than I’d ever played at before but once you get used to the environment and believe in yourself more, it’s amazing. James Honeyman was such a big influence for me, not only because I learned so much from him but he also pushed me in a way I’d never been pushed before. 

The academy environment is unique because we’re all competing and want the best for ourselves, but we also support each other so much. We have such valuable friendships where we care about each other dearly and push one another so that everybody grows together. I think that’s awesome. It’s great having people like Michelle and Freya, who are a bit older, show me that the pathway to the first team exists. For Laila, Katie and Maddy too, it was inspiring to see them train with the first team. 

I was 16 when I was called up. It was quite surreal but I still felt confident because I'm a big believer in visualisation. I’d seen that moment so many times in my head, stepping onto the training ground and playing with the first team, that it felt weird actually being there! Playing with people you’ve looked up to for years is daunting at first but the excitement always outweighs the nerves. 

In every training session, everyone gives 100%. We focus on how to do the small details consistently and that's the big difference between youth football and the first-team: those footballing basics are at the highest level. It’s mind-blowing to watch.

Playing with England is amazing too. It’s always a privilege to play for your country but it’s also a great chance to play against great opposition and learn how to implement certain things in your own game. The core foundations, beliefs and values at England and Arsenal are the same but our playing styles are often quite different. 

As a winger, I have to focus on 1v1s a lot. Aside from the footwork, it’s also a mental skill because you have to be brave enough to take someone on. In the first-team environment, they’ve helped me with both aspects and encouraged me to try things out in training. I've worked a lot with Kelly [Smith] on my finishing and my whole attacking output, but also on being confident in duels.

Throughout my career, I’ve always taken set pieces so I spoke to Chris Bradley (our set piece coach) about my experience. Before I came on against Southampton a few weeks ago, he told me that I’d be on set pieces and I thought, ‘Okay, this is my chance to prove myself.’ Thanks to Codi’s header, I got an assist that day!

Looking back on my senior debut, that game was an unreal experience. I just tried to enjoy it like the dream come true it was but now that the dust has settled, it’s also made me hungrier. I know what my goals are, I know where I want to be, and I know that I have to work even harder to sustain this. I never want to get complacent. I want to make my WSL debut and keep growing, keep improving and the sky can be the limit. I want to show everyone what I’m about.