Rosa Kafaji was only 15 years old when she made her debut in AIK's senior team.
A few years later, ahead of the 2022 season, several clubs were interested in her, before Häcken won the tug-of-war for the super talent.
In a similar way, it is reported that the interest in the Swedish national team midfielder was great from several major clubs before the choice finally fell on Arsenal last summer.
But just weeks later, she is back in Gothenburg again.
That it would be Häcken in the Champions League qualifying round felt pretty obvious before the draw, she says.
Yes, I had a feeling it would be Häcken, says the newly minted Arsenal star.
It feels fantastic to be back.
Hurtig injured
Arsenal had previously had a Swedish national team trio in their team – Stina Blackstenius, Amanda Ilestedt, and Lina Hurtig. The latter, however, will miss Wednesday evening's match in Gothenburg due to a muscle injury.
But since the end of the summer, Arsenal coach Jonas Eidevall has had another Swede in the squad.
In connection with the transfer, he called her "one of the most exciting young talents in the world".
It's an impression that has been reinforced during the first weeks.
She has fit in really well with us. She is a fantastically talented player, good at English, a social person, and curious to learn, says Jonas Eidevall.
High expectations
There are, in other words, quite high expectations on the latest Swede in the London club. But it's nothing new, notes the 21-year-old herself.
I've always had high expectations on me. So I don't feel stressed about it. I have high expectations on myself too, says Rosa Kafaji.
Arsenal, unlike Häcken, failed to reach the Champions League group stage this year.
Now Rosa Kafaji hopes for a new group stage – even if it has to happen at the expense of her old club.
She has, however, pointed out to her new teammates that it will be a tough task to beat Häcken.
But exactly what she said, she – of course – doesn't want to reveal.
I've said it's a good team, with skilled individuals. That it won't be an easy match, she says.
I can't say what tips I've given them. But I've told them a bit about the players and what their strengths are and so on.
