This is The Guardian.

Hello and welcome to The Guardian Football Weekly.

Today another in the Life and Time series that you enjoyed during the pandemic,

I guess there wasn't much on, but we like making them and learning about our panelists

this episode is all about Nikki Bandini, so expect to hear that mid-90s Arsenal football

Italia and living in the US. As most of you know Nikki came out publicly as Trans

Gender about four years ago we will of course discuss that, but this is about her love of football

and the journey in the game that has led her to be sitting on a Zoom call with me and Barry

right now. This is The Guardian Football Weekly.

Barry hello? Hello? Hi Nikki how are you?

I'm alright. Yeah, I'm a bit nervous. It's weird to talk about. Yeah like it's so silly,

but like as a journalist like you spend all your time talking about other people and like when

the lens is turned on you it's a bit different. Yeah I didn't want to in the interest made it sound

like all your career had been leading to the moment that you are on a Zoom call with me and Barry.

Yes, obviously. Yeah, of course a career highlight. Lots of people got in touch DB says no questions

looking forward to this one. I listen to every football weekly but I hit download with greater

urgency when Nikki is on. I really enjoy the way she thinks about football. So I agree with that

actually. I don't know it's how surprised but I also like how all the panelists think about football

as I cover myself. A story teller opening the door to new and imaginative ways of loving the game

so no pressure Nikki. Let's start with an easy one there and I feel like I sort of should know

these things about Palace by don't where were you born? Where did you grow up? So I was born in

London. Grapman London. My dad is Italian. He grew up initially and moved to Italy when he was in his

...