The Alex Scott column: Arsenal will always be in my heart, but my contract is up and I have to keep my options open

It seems so long ago that we were lifting the Continental Cup — yet it’s only been 10 days since we beat Birmingham at Underhill. Since then, I’ve spent a week in Los Angeles with my sponsor Puma, taking part in football camps, as well as charity events for the Project Pink campaign, which raises money to combat breast cancer.

As part of the campaign, I played in a celebrity football match, with former footballers Kasey Keller, who used to play for Tottenham and Millwall, and Alexi Lalas. The cast of the television series Revenge took part too.

I had my birthday out there, which was nice, though it ended on a bit of a downer when I lost my passport.

I had to spend the next day at the British Embassy! But the staff there were a great help and luckily I was able to come home as planned. I’m away with the England team this weekend in Paris, where we’re playing France in a friendly tomorrow night, so I certainly can’t afford to be without my passport!

As I said before, it was great to end the domestic season on a high by winning the Continental Cup. It was a cagey match, with Arsenal eventually winning thanks to a late goal from Kim Little, who’s had an amazing season.

With the season over — aside from a Champions League tie with Potsdam next month — it’s a good time to assess my first season back in English football. I’d have to say it’s been a great success.

I’ve won two trophies and I have to be happy with that given that I didn’t win anything in three years with the Boston Breakers.

I think my fondest memory must be playing for Team GB at the Olympics — that will last for me forever.

With Arsenal, winning the league unbeaten was a fantastic achievement. That’s the hard graft that you put in week in, week out, so to win the league shows you’re the best team over a whole season.

Individually, I’d like to improve my performances if I’m still playing in this league next season. I say if because my contract with Arsenal is up in the middle of next month and I’m yet to sign a new one.

Nothing is decided yet — but, while Arsenal will always be my club, I have a lot of options. The league in the US is making a comeback, and the Swedish league is very strong too.

It’s a matter of sitting down and working out what’s right for me. And, you never know, maybe Arsenal won’t offer me a new deal. Things will sort themselves out though. My attitude has always been “what will be, will be.”

Right now, I’m focused on the immediate future — and that means France tomorrow night. They’re a team I’ve admired for a long time. They’re excellent technicians with the ball and already people are putting money on them to win the Euros next summer.

I don’t think we’ve ever beaten them, so we definitely want to get a result, even if there’s no pressure on us or points to be gained as it’s a friendly.

They’re ranked fifth in the world right now and they’re the kind of opposition that we’ll face at the Euros if we reach the later stages so it’s a good experience to gain.

Don’t forget — tomorrow night’s match is live on BBC3. I’m happy to see the broadcasters are supporting us and long may it continue.