Emma Mitchell is fully aware of the responsibility that comes with representing Arsenal in an SSE Women’s FA Cup final and is more determined than ever to add another title to the Gunners trophy cabinet.
The Scottish international already has two FA Cup winners medals to her name; winning the famous competition in 2014 against Everton and in 2016 against Chelsea.
And it will be Chelsea once more who stand in the way of Arsenal collecting an unprecedented 15th FA Cup crown on May 5, in front of a Wembley crowd expected to exceed last year’s attendance of 35,271.
The Gunners have only ever lost one FA Cup final, to Everton in 2010, and Mitchell knows the tradition of winning trophies must be kept alive through the generations at the club.
She said: “I think it’s something that we’ve got to pass over through the times. We see it in the changing room and we see where the club has been.
“We know we need to take responsibility and get trophy after trophy. But it doesn’t put any pressure on us when it comes to the cup final.
“I think that we’ve got players who have played on big occasions and I think everybody will turn up and do the business.”
Mitchell, who joined from German side Essen in 2013, recently extended her contract at the club, shortly after picking up the FA WSL Continental Tyres Cup as Arsenal downed Manchester City 1-0 at Adams Park.
The full-back knows how important it is to already have a trophy in the bank this season but insists beating Chelsea, who are unbeaten in the FA Women’s Super League, would be a huge confidence boost for the whole club.
She said: “We’ve not beaten Chelsea this season so to go and do that on the big occasion when it really matters would act as a confidence boost for the rest of the girls to take into next season.
“They’ve got very good individual players that can cause us a lot of problems which has probably been the difference between some of their results. They beat us earlier in the year then we drew with them, so hopefully it’s lined up for a victory but only time will tell.”
Playing at the home of football is always special and this will be second time Mitchell has graced the Wembley turf for an FA Cup final with Arsenal.
The 25-year-old claims she didn’t fully appreciate the scale of turning out at Wembley on her previous appearance in 2016 but cannot wait to get back there for the FA Cup final.
Mitchell said: “I remember when we played before in 2016, I didn’t have quite the same buzz as maybe some of the English girls did because I’m Scottish but I think going back is really special. You get such a good crowd and it’s unbelievable.
“It’s about representing the club and I think the fact Arsenal have won it so many times is amazing.
“To win another SSE Women’s FA Cup would be unbelievable. To win my first one was an incredible experience. It’s so good to say you’ve won an FA Cup but to say you’ve won three is pretty special.”
By Sportsbeat
Tickets are now on sale for the SSE Women’s FA Cup Final on Saturday 5th May at Wembley Stadium connected by EE. For more information about tickets and SSE’s involvement in women’s football visit www.sponsorship.sse.com
