"Training with boys was a defining moment in Laila Harbert's football journey"
The 18-year-old midfielder from Arsenal has come a long way since she first joined the academy at nine years old. What set her apart from others was when she was given the opportunity to train with the boys' team, alongside the girls' teams. "It challenges you on the small details," Harbert says. "You have to use your technical ability to avoid getting into duels where you might be at a disadvantage."
This unconventional approach helped Harbert develop her skills in high-pressure situations and increased her speed and agility. She credits this experience for improving her game, saying that it showed her how much she had grown.
Laila's journey to becoming a professional footballer has been marked by sacrifices from her family. Her parents made the decision to relocate to Hertfordshire so that their daughter could be closer to Arsenal's training base, reducing travel time and allowing her to focus on her game.
However, this journey is also fraught with challenges. Harbert has seen how ACL injuries have affected two of her closest friends, Michelle Agyemang and Katie Reid, who both suffered serious knee injuries. The midfielder was "gutted" when she heard the news and acknowledges that the increasing number of ACL injuries in women's football is a worrying trend.
Despite these challenges, Harbert remains focused on her goals. She recognizes that playing for Arsenal at 18 years old is unlikely, given the average age of players in the Women's Super League (WSL) being around 25-26.
For Harbert, success is not just about achieving first-team football but also about enjoying the journey and refining what it means to her. "Sometimes I tend to get so wrapped up in the outcome that I forget what really matters," she says.
As she navigates the NWSL playoff season with Portland Thorns, Harbert's ultimate goal remains with Arsenal. The club has a plan in place for her long-term development, and Harbert is committed to seeing it through. With her next steps being discussed after the playoffs are over, one thing is clear: Laila Harbert is driven by a desire to succeed, both on and off the pitch.
As she prepares for her team's playoff final, Harbert remains optimistic about the future of women's football. She believes that with determination and hard work, players can overcome obstacles and achieve their dreams.
The 18-year-old midfielder from Arsenal has come a long way since she first joined the academy at nine years old. What set her apart from others was when she was given the opportunity to train with the boys' team, alongside the girls' teams. "It challenges you on the small details," Harbert says. "You have to use your technical ability to avoid getting into duels where you might be at a disadvantage."
This unconventional approach helped Harbert develop her skills in high-pressure situations and increased her speed and agility. She credits this experience for improving her game, saying that it showed her how much she had grown.
Laila's journey to becoming a professional footballer has been marked by sacrifices from her family. Her parents made the decision to relocate to Hertfordshire so that their daughter could be closer to Arsenal's training base, reducing travel time and allowing her to focus on her game.
However, this journey is also fraught with challenges. Harbert has seen how ACL injuries have affected two of her closest friends, Michelle Agyemang and Katie Reid, who both suffered serious knee injuries. The midfielder was "gutted" when she heard the news and acknowledges that the increasing number of ACL injuries in women's football is a worrying trend.
Despite these challenges, Harbert remains focused on her goals. She recognizes that playing for Arsenal at 18 years old is unlikely, given the average age of players in the Women's Super League (WSL) being around 25-26.
For Harbert, success is not just about achieving first-team football but also about enjoying the journey and refining what it means to her. "Sometimes I tend to get so wrapped up in the outcome that I forget what really matters," she says.
As she navigates the NWSL playoff season with Portland Thorns, Harbert's ultimate goal remains with Arsenal. The club has a plan in place for her long-term development, and Harbert is committed to seeing it through. With her next steps being discussed after the playoffs are over, one thing is clear: Laila Harbert is driven by a desire to succeed, both on and off the pitch.
As she prepares for her team's playoff final, Harbert remains optimistic about the future of women's football. She believes that with determination and hard work, players can overcome obstacles and achieve their dreams.
! Training with boys was a total game-changer for her, you know? It's not just about the physical benefits, but also about learning to think on your feet and adapt in high-pressure situations. I mean, who wouldn't want to be able to outsmart their opponents and stay ahead of the competition?
. She's not just focused on her own goals, but also on helping to reduce the number of ACL injuries in women's football - it's such an important issue that affects so many young players.
. It's all about enjoying the journey and refining what success means to her, you know? And I'm totally rooting for her to achieve her goals at Arsenal 
! She's got this!
. I mean, who wouldn't want to train with the lads and learn from them? It's crazy to think she was 9 years old when she started and now she's 18, making it to the NWSL playoffs 
. The fact that she had to sacrifice so much time with her family, moving to Hertfordshire for training, shows how dedicated she is to her craft 
, but I'm sure Laila will keep pushing forward and inspiring others to do the same 
. It's crazy how many players are getting hurt, especially in women's football. We need to find ways to reduce those injuries and make the game safer for everyone 
.
. That's so important for her mental health and overall well-being. She reminds me of myself when I was playing sports, always trying to balance the pressure with having fun and learning from my mistakes 
. Can't wait to see what she does next! 
But seriously though, the fact that ACL injuries are on the rise in women's football is super worrying... those girls must be going through some tough times 
Laila Harbert's experience training with boys must've been super tough, but it made her a better player in the end 
? But seriously, it's awesome that she was given the chance to learn from the guys and develop her skills 
. And yeah, ACL injuries are no joke – those girls were so unlucky 
. Harbert's dedication to her game is really inspiring, even if it means putting in extra work and dealing with setbacks 
. Can't wait to see what she does next 
I mean, who needs traditional girl's teams when you've got some tough competition to push yourself against? The fact that she's now faster & more agile is a testament to her dedication. But seriously, ACL injuries are getting out of control in women's football... 2 friends already lost out & it's heartbreaking 
. but what i find even more amazing is that she's not just focused on personal success, she's also advocating for women's football to overcome the ACL injuries that are affecting so many young players 
.
. I'm rooting for Laila to achieve all her dreams and make the most of this opportunity! 
And omg, her parents sacrificed so much 4 her 2 get closer 2 Arsenal's training base. That's REAL dedication! 
️! but honestly tho the thing that really gets me is how many girls r getting ACL injuries 
it's just a marketing ploy to make female footballers seem weaker than they really are. I mean, come on, a few hours of intense training with some dudes isn't going to magically make anyone faster or stronger. And what about the mental toll it takes? Harbert's friends who got ACL injuries... that's a huge red flag right there 
Laila Harbert is a total inspiration to me! I mean, who wouldn't want to train with the boys and show them what they're made of? 
It's crazy how much of a difference that experience had on her game. 
.
But what I find really inspiring is her perspective on success. She knows that it's not just about making the first team, but about enjoying the journey and growing as a player. That's something we can all learn from, especially us women in sports who often put pressure on ourselves to perform at the highest level. 
Laila's journey is all about pushing boundaries & grinding out a dream 
. She's got a fire in her belly, for sure 
... training with boys actually helped Laila Harbert grow as a player. People always talk about how it creates some unfair advantages, but from what she said, it really made her use those small details to avoid getting beat in duels. And yeah, ACL injuries are super scary and should be taken seriously