FANS of the Women’s Champions League are in for a treat this week when two of the top teams in Britain go head-to-head in a bid to make the quarter finals of the prestigious UEFA competition…
Arsenal Ladies host Glasgow City at Barnet FC tomorrow (Saturday) in a last 16 encounter that will conclude on Wednesday when the Scottish champions host the Women’s FA Cup holders in the second leg at Petershill Park writes CATHERINE ETOE.
The two matche
s look set to be great adverts for women’s football in Britain and Arsenal’s in-form 20-year-old striker Danielle Carter (who today signed a new contract with Arsenal Ladies) says the Gunners are more than excited by the prospect.
“It’s a home nation derby so to speak and everyone is up for it and excited,” she says. “It should be a good game both home and away. For us it’s really important to get a good result on Saturday, make the most of home advantage, get a few goals and hopefully not concede.”
A men’s fixture at their home ground in Borehamwood means Arsenal will host Glasgow at Barnet FC’s The Hive, scene of the Gunners’ recent Continental Cup victory over Lincoln City.
Carter expects the atmosphere to be as lively at The Hive as it was that night in October, particularly because the match kicks off at a more traditional time for British football – a Saturday afternoon.
“Hopefully we can attract as many people as possible, it being on a Saturday as well,” she says. “We enjoyed playing at The Hive in the Conti Cup final and there was a good crowd there and it would be nice to get a good one on Saturday. I believe Glasgow have a bus of supporters coming down.”
How many of those travelling fans were watching at Petershill Park in February when Arsenal beat Glasgow City 5-0 in a pre-season friendly is anyone’s guess.
But away supporters will be relieved to know that few at Arsenal see that match as a barometer for this week.
“We played on the same [artificial] pitch I think we will be playing on next Wednesday, but I don’t think it really has any bearing,” says Arsenal’s Scotland star Kim Little. “We were both at the start of our pre-season.”
The result of that pre-season match may be deemed of little import, but it was still a momentous occasion for the Arsenal players because it was the first time many of them had met their manager Shelley Kerr.
The former Scotland captain had only recently accepted the job when she joined the squad at the airport ahead of the friendly and she watched the match unfold from the stands, nipping down to the dressing room at half-time and the whistle.
The 44-year-old knows her group better now and will be much more hands in these games if her high-tempo training session on the indoor pitch at Arsenal FC’s London Colney ground on Monday is anything to go by.
Kelly Smith played her part in the session both in her role as coach and Arsenal footballer, although it remains to be seen whether the talismanic forward will be fit enough to play a part against Glasgow, who wrapped up the Scottish title last weekend.
Uefa Pro-Licence holder Kerr has plenty of options if not, though, and with a squad featuring a host of internationals, including three Scots, this so-called “Battle of Britain” really should be one to watch.
“We are really looking forward to it and they should be good two games,” adds Little. “I think it’s great for British football that there are three teams in the last 16 and obviously it’s a Scottish team, which is where I’m from, so yeah, I’m looking forward to playing against a lot of friends and team mates.”
Kick off on Saturday 9 November is at 1pm at the Hive in Edgware. Tickets £5 adults/£2.50 under-16s. Pay on the gate.
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