Arsenal defender Catley grateful to have had winter break following hectic schedule

Arsenal defender Steph Catley says that she is pleased to have had the winter break to recharge following a hectic schedule for club and country.

Catley was a member of the Australia squad which finished fourth at the Olympic Games in the summer and she has been heavily used by Arsenal in the first half of the season.

With Catley having had little time to rest in the last 18 months, the player has admitted that the recent winter break was much needed.

“The schedule’s been very heavy for me personally but the last few weeks I did get some time at home,” Catley said when speaking to Football Australia Media. “I’ve been able to spend some time with my family so it has been really refreshing.

“I feel like I have had that time with them now and I can now prepare for the next chapter. I have been looking forward to this tournament (AFC Women’s Asian Cup) for a while so I’m excited to get going.”

Having the opportunity to see her family over the Christmas period was very important for Catley but equally, she said that the break was needed for recuperation and for her mental well-being.

She said “The break was really important. It has been a long time since I have been able to just stop and relax and switch off for a little while.

“Not only was it important to get home and see my family and get that love and home support, it was good for my legs and for my mind football-wise.

“When I moved to England, one thing that appealed was having that off-season but I didn’t get that this year with the Olympics, we played through the off-season. It wasn’t ideal but that’s football and that’s what you sign up for. This summer, I should get that off-season where I can get home and see my family.

“Now that I’m getting older, the breaks become more important as I have to look after my body and rest my legs. Mentally and physically, there’s nothing like it, you definitely need a break now and again.”

Catley could feature for Australia in their opening match of the AFC Women’s Asian Cup India 2022™ on Friday. The Commonwealth Bank Matildas face Indonesia in Mumbai in their first group match.