Caldentey on moving from Barcelona to Arsenal:
“It was sad but exciting at the same time. I just felt it was the moment for me for a new challenge. I had spent a really lovely 10 years in Barca, in football, out on the pitch as well.
“It felt like it was maybe a bit of a crazy decision because I was in a really good place and really comfy there but I think now it’s easy to say it was the right decision. From the first moment I arrived at Arsenal, everybody made it really easy for me so I enjoy it a lot and I’m really happy to be here.”
On what has worked so well at Arsenal:
“I feel so confident playing here. The coaches listen to me, they want the best of me so they just help me in that sense. It’s the same with the team-mates: I can make them better and they can make me better. It’s a win-win. It’s always about the team performance. I think it needed a bit of time in the beginning but I think when I figured it out a bit – my position as well, my team-mates a bit more – it was fantastic.”
On her emotions during the Champions League final:
“Playing in the final, it was really hard and weird for me. I’m normally not nervous for playing games. It was a special day but I was a bit nervous as well, of course because it was a final but also because it was against my friends, my ex-team-mates, the staff. Everything I’ve just left behind and the same year you play against them in a final. It was just meant to be and it was a really special journey during the whole Champions League. We are so happy that Arsenal could win it again after 18 years.”
On reaching the Euro 2025 final with Spain:
“It still hurts a bit when I think about the final. We need to remember that we made history because we have never played even in a semi-final. It was a big step in the Euros for us as a team. It’s good that we continued making history but of course the main goal was to win. England were better than us so we have to congratulate them. I think we have a really strong national team, we are a brilliant generation and we’re just going to keep going.”
