FOR Kim Little taking on Chelsea in cup contest deciders is among her “highest challenges” as an Arsenal player
To date the Gunners have faced their London rivals in five FA and League Cup finals.
Today the Arsenal skipper, 33, and her team-mates will attempt to see off the Blues and lift the Conti Cup for the seventh time in her club’s history.
A triumph at Molineux would mean back-to-back trophy wins for the first time under boss Jonas Eidevall.
It would also be the Gunners’ first successive silverware win in the competition since winning it for three years in a row from 2011.
Little, who netted against Chelsea in Arsenal’s Conti Cup triumph last March, said: “The rivalry with Chelsea is there I think in any game, and the cup games kind of add to that.
Read More Football Stories
“I feel like we’ve played them almost every year in both cups in some rounds, sometimes earlier than we would like.
“They’ve been at the top of their game for the last few years and most obviously in the league.
“But the cup games add a slightly different element to the season, this being one of them coming into the Conti Cup final again.
“Whenever we play them, whichever team is the most dominant, is the one that gets a good start, and wins the physical battle.
Most read in Football
“But it’s a very different game turning up on the day and doing that and ultimately that’s our challenge as players
“And playing against Chelsea is always the highest challenge, which I think, adds pressure. It means you have to be at the top of your game.
“But that’s exciting and if it goes your way, then it’s the best feeling.”
After Arsenal’s 4-0 defeat of Aston Villa in the contest semis, Eidevall, 41, commented on the club being “the most successful team in women’s (domestic) football in England”.
Women’s Super League title wins have eluded the Gunners since 2019 with Chelsea’s dominance in that arena in the past four years.
However, their League Cup success is currently unmatched with the club having won it six times previously.
For Arsenal-fan favourite Little, who made her 300th appearance for the side in January, the contest has provided some of her fondest moments.
The includes the Scotland ace being among the players to win it during the club’s domestic treble triumph in 2011.
Back then a brace for Rachel Yankey and goals for Ellen White and Jayne sealed the Gunners 4-1 League Cup final defeat of Birmingham City.
The playmaker, currently in the seventh year of her second Arsenal spell, adds: “I’ve had great moments in the (Conti) Cup.
“Some of my early memories are when I was first at the club, playing in the team when we won the treble.
“I’ve had really special moments from being in finals.
“The final in 2018, I think, was my first full game (after returning from an ACL injury). We won 1-0 against Man City and Viv (Miedema) scored in that game.
“I remember struggling to get through the 90 minutes because it was one of my first (games) back.
“Getting a trophy at the end of it was a nice feeling when you’ve been out for so long.”
This afternoon could see Alessia Russo feature in her first cup final as an Arsenal player.
The England striker shone in her club’s semi-final defeat of Villa on March 6th with team-mate Stina Blackstenius bagging a hat-trick.
And Little has no qualms about adapting her role in midfield to help both strikers deliver.
The midfielder adds: “With Less (Alessia) coming in, she’s an incredible player and likewise with Stina,
“Stina and Less are very different players and my role is, what can I do to bring out their strengths most, and also allow me to do what I’m capable of?
READ MORE SUN STORIES
“I’ve enjoyed it. I enjoy playing football and the challenge of trying to win a game and whether that’s in a 10 position or an 8 or whatever I’m asked.
“It’s about how can I do that as best as I can to get the win.”
Source: Soccer - thesun.co.uk
