Kathrine Kuhl is on the cusp of her WSL debut for Everton, but amidst the excitement of a fresh start on Merseyside, the young Danish midfielder holds onto a flicker of red and white.

For while her immediate focus lies with the Toffees’ clash against Leicester City, Kuhl is thinking of a future return to north London.

Limited playing time at Arsenal pushed Kuhl towards a temporary Everton move, seeking the game time crucial for a burgeoning talent. Yet, despite watching the Gunners’ 2-1 win over her new club from the stands, Kuhl’s connection to Arsenal remains strong.

“It’s always tough when you’re not playing,” she told The Liverpool Echo. “I didn’t expect to get into the team and play from the beginning but as a young player you have so much motivation and hope that everything will quickly work out. You feel like you’re in a rush but really you’re not, and I think developing that state of mind has helped me a lot.

“It’s about being patient and you see that with so many players. If you’re patient, your time will come and I think it’s important to remember that when you’re at a club like Arsenal.

“One day it will be your time to shine but it takes a lot of work to get there.”

That’s not to say her time at the Emirates wasn’t important. “It gives me different things, being at Arsenal and being at Everton,” Kuhl said. “But both give me so much. I think I’ve developed a lot through being at Arsenal for the past year even though I haven’t played that much. I got a lot out of those sessions but it gets to a point where it’s not only the training that matters, it’s also about game time.”

Everton, then, serves as a stepping stone, a chance to hone her skills under the familiar guidance of former coach Brian Sorensen and amidst the homely feeling of playing alongside so many fellow Danes. Kuhl’s arrival makes six at the club now.

When Kuhl ultimately returns to Arsenal, it won’t be as the same player who arrived. She’ll be seasoned, tested, and armed with the wisdom of patience and perseverance.

Everton face Leicester City on Sunday 28 January, 2024, with kick-off at 12.30pm (UK) and the game can be watched on The FA Player.