Arsenal and Chelsea clash in the FA Women’s Continental League Cup final at Nottingham Forest FC’s City ground on Saturday 29 February, kick-off 5.30pm.
The Blues have completed a Barclays FA WSL double over the Gunners this season, including a stunning 4-1 win at Meadow Park but Arsenal boss Joe Montemurro is confident his side will exact their revenge.
Montemurro told www.arsenal.com: “Obviously the other team we’re playing against have unfortunately beaten us twice this year, so it’s a great opportunity to right the wrongs.
“In the second game, which was probably the more evident game in terms of their power and ability to come out of the blocks, obviously they got the better of us in the first 20 minutes. They were powerful in that phase and we just weren’t able to bounce back, but we’re prepared for this one.
“We love our cup finals. It’s what we play for and it’s what we enjoy in the season. It’s what being a professional footballer and being in the professional game is all about. It’s another opportunity to showcase two fantastic teams and another opportunity to play some great football on a great stage.”
The Gunners have won the Conti Cup five times and reached eight of the nine finals, whereas this will be Chelsea’s first appearance.
Chelsea head coach Emma Hayes believes Arsenal will put up a real fight to defend their Continental Tyres League Cup title.
‘This is Arsenal’s trophy,’ she told chelseafc.com. ‘It’s the one they’ve won the most in recent years, the one they’ve dominated, the one they won’t let go of easily, so I expect a fight.
‘It will be an aggressive Arsenal performance because they will defend that title with all their might. They have quality even with injuries, so it will be a much tougher game than the league match at Boreham Wood earlier in the season.
‘I think they will come out all guns blazing and be aggressive. They’ll look to play to their strengths, to play around us, and when they’re at their best they’ve shown they’re one of the top teams in Europe.’
Tickets can be bought here and the match is live on BT Sport 1 / BT Sport Ultimate.
