MORNING STAR sports journalist Layth Yousif and his talented team over at the Gooner Fanzine have been busy burning the midnight oil to publish their first-ever printed edition dedicated solely to Arsenal Women and the wider women’s game. 

With more than 55,000 tickets already sold for Sunday’s eagerly-anticipated north London Derby in N5, Layth and his team have been working overtime to get their independent publication over the line, to have printed copies available before this weekend’s big clash. 

With Renee Slegers third place side posting an impressive 4-3 victory at Manchester City in the WSL last weekend, optimism abounds at the club, after Slegers was appointed permanent boss last month, after winning 10 of her 11 matches as interim head coach, following Jonas Eidevall’s departure.

Arsenal men’s boss Mikel Arteta has certainly been showing his support for Slegers ahead of the clash against Spurs. 

In response to a question from Layth during Arteta’s press conference yesterday at London Colney, the Gunners men’s boss showed his support for Arsenal Women, saying: “All the best, let’s do it again! 

“It’s going to be packed and it’s just a joy to watch the amount of support that they deservedly get in because of what they’re doing, so I hope it goes well.”

Following on from the success of the Gooner’s ground-breaking digital issues this season dedicated to AWFC, on the back of more than 150,000 AWFC fans and supporters of the women’s game reading their pilot edition last year — editor-in-chief Layth decided to take the plunge and publish a printed version of the AWFC magazine.

“It’s certainly a gamble given how challenging the situation is regarding printed publications everywhere,” admitted Layth, explaining: “However, as a journalist who has covered Arsenal Women for many years, I’ve seen first-hand the incredible growth in the women’s game — it’s been as heartening as it has been impressive.

“We’re convinced the demand is there on AWFC matchdays, especially at Ashburton Grove, for a quality printed publication dedicated to Arsenal Women.”

He added: “We’re so excited about sharing such outstanding quality work from incredibly talented Arsenal writers, photographers and creatives — led by our brilliant AWFC editor Freddie Cardy as well as our superb matchday photographer, Suzy Lycett.

As part of the Gooner’s commitment to quality content, the record-breaking print edition features interviews with AWFC boss Slegers, Leah Williamson and Alessia Russo.

Layth concludes: “Heartfelt thanks go to our production genius Serge Braga-Mullin and editor Freddie.

“A big thank you to all who have contributed to this ground-breaking print issue. I’m so very proud of everyone including Freddie, Serge, Jamie Spangher, Liberty Simons, Daisy Goodhand, Suzy Lycett, Laura Howard, Lumi Lehmuskallio, Joseph Rosedon, Lily Young, Sophie Puodzius and Isobel Gilligan.

“A special well done to Mia Silver, whose brilliant image of Slegers takes pride of place on our front cover.

“I’d like to thank my wonderful partner Faye, without whose love, understanding and encouragement I simply couldn’t continue to keep pushing the Gooner Fanzine forward.”

You can buy the Gooner Fanzine’s Arsenal Women’s printed edition at Arsenal Tube from 9am on Sunday morning, as well as Bear Roundabout, and the Arches on Hornsey Road, near to artist Northbanksy’s street art. Or from the shop at onlinegooner.com