Alex Scott: The Arsenal & England icon who became a pioneering pundit

From a Champions League winner to a pioneering pundit, Alex Scott is one of football’s most eminent figures. 

Having created history both on and off the pitch, the former Arsenal and England defender has transformed the perception of how female footballers are regarded and enhanced the level of respect for the women’s game. 

With 24 trophies across a professional career that spanned more than 15 years, Scott is undisputedly an all-time great. But amid all her success as a player, her influence within the broadcasting world is now held in equally high regard. 

GiveMeSport looks at Scott’s remarkable journey, from an aspiring forward to a history-making presenter. 

In 1992, Scott signed with Arsenal, aged just eight. At this stage, the Gunners icon operated as either a striker or a winger but was soon converted to a full-back ––  a position she would go on to master. 

Initially, the defender struggled for game-time and failed to cement her place in a Gunners side already stacked with talent. 

A loan move to Birmingham in 2004 proved to be a turning point, however, as a 20-year-old Scott helped the Midlands side to a fourth-place finish. 

Upon her return to North London, the right-back became an indispensable part of Vic Akers’ squad, where a multitude of silverware soon followed. 

It was the 2006-07 season that will live long in the memory. Akers’ side achieved an unprecedented “quadruple” season in which they won every competition they entered, most notably the 2006-07 UEFA Women’s Cup –– commonly known now as the Women’s Champions League. 

Back then the final was contested over two legs, and it was Scott who came up with the decisive goal in stoppage time of the first tie –– a strike that proved to be the only goal of