Nobbs rewarded by Arsenal decision

Jordan Nobbs left her local club Sunderland WFC at just 17 to pursue her football dream in London with Arsenal LFC – and with her subsequent success it is hardly surprising she has no regrets.

The midfielder made the move in summer 2010 when Arsenal, but not Sunderland, were admitted to the new FA Women's Super League. Since then she has not only helped Arsenal to two league titles and been a regular in Europe, but the 2009 UEFA European Women's Under-19 Championship winner has broken into the England senior team. Having signed a new contract ahead of Arsenal's UEFA Women's Champions League quarter-final with Birmingham City LFC in March, Nobbs spoke to UEFA.com about her career and experience of European football.

UEFA.com: What have you learned from playing in the UEFA Women's Champions League?

Jordan Nobbs: I think it just shows what you need to be the best, really. We've played numerous teams – the likes of Lyon – and it shows how talented they are and how much you need to do as a player to compete with them. So I think that's definitely something we've done within training a lot more at Arsenal, to try and compete with the likes of them.

UEFA.com: When you came down here a few years ago, you were quite young to be moving from Sunderland to London; how did you find that, leaving home quite early?

Nobbs: Football [reasons] wasn't any hesitation, but the only thing that was, was moving away from the family and stuff. But as a footballer that's what I want to do, so that's what I had to go with, and I'm really glad I made that decision.

UEFA.com: How do Arsenal set up players moving to London to join them?

Nobbs: Arsenal have been great with me. I live with some of the team girls, so I'm really comfortable where I am, and obviously you're in that football environment as well.

UEFA.com: With women's football becoming a more professional game, would you recommend a 17-year-old to think about leaving home and finding a professional career, even at that age?

Nobbs: From experience, I think it's definitely progressed me as a player and got me to the level I'm at. So I don't see why players can't do that, as long as they can be strong enough to make that move. I think it definitely can develop them as a player.