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      Jorge Vilda says fallout with Spain players is a ‘difficult situation’ after leaving several stars out of national squad

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      JORGE VILDA left several Spain Women aces out of his squad ahead of the team’s friendly duels with Sweden and the USA in October.Skipper Irene Paredes and record scorer Jenni Hermoso are among the stars omitted as well as Manchester United duo Ona Batlle and Lucia Garcia.
      Jorge Vilda says the fallout between himself and a number of players is “hurting Spanish football”Credit: Getty
      Irene Paredes is among the senior figures who have been left out Spain’s squad ahead of two friendly fixtures in OctoberCredit: Getty
      Man City stars Leila Ouahabi and Laia Aleixandri have also been dropped.
      And Paredes’ Barcelona team-mates Aitana Bonmati, Mapi Leon, Patri Guijarro and Sandra Panos are among the others cut from the group.
      The omission of the stars – many of whom featured for Spain at this summer’s Euros – follows a dispute between the Royal Spanish Football Federation, Vilda and several squad members.
      The group have expressed their preference to not be called up for international duty until there is a commitment “to a professional project”.

      At a press conference today, Vilda, 41, said “I don’t wish for anybody to go through what I am going through these days.
      “I am deeply hurt, it’s an unfair situation that nobody deserves. I think it’s a ridicule on a global scale.
      “This mess is hurting Spanish football. It’s a worldwide embarrassment.
      “I would like them to say face to face why they have made that decision and why they disagree.”
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      Local media in Spain report players as being unhappy with how injuries are managed and with training methods and Vilda’s team selection.
      Earlier this month the Spanish Football Federation claimed they received 15 emails from stars threatening to quit the international side unless Vilda was sacked.
      In their written statement the Federation also claimed players flagged concerns regarding their “emotional state and health”.
      However, these claims were denied by the players – including Ballon d’Or winner Alexia Putellas – who was not part of the group who sent emails.  
      Last Friday the midfield star published a joint statement via her Twitter account in response to the Federation.
      In it, she slammed their decision to make a private statement “public, in a partial and self-interested way”.
      Ona Batlle is among the players who have been left out of Spain’s squad ahead of games against Sweden and the USACredit: Richard Pelham / The Sun
      Spain, who were beaten by England in the quarter-finals of this year’s Euros, finished top of their World Cup qualifying group with eight wins from eight games.
      They go into their duels with Sweden and the USA with six uncapped players.
      The team will face Sweden on October 7 in Cordoba before a clash with the United States in Pamplona four days later.
      And Vilda insists he has not thought about quitting his role despite the fallout with a number of his country’s top pros.
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      The head coach added: “I have to call up the players who want to be here 100%.
      “In no moment (did I consider resigning). It would be unfair, for what we created in the past and are in the present.” More

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      West Bromwich Albion Women change colour of home shorts from white to navy to aid players during their periods

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      WEST BROM WOMEN have opted to change the colour of the shorts they wear with their home shirts to accommodate players’ menstruation cycles.The decision comes months after the Lionesses flagged similar concerns with kit makers Nike in the run-up to their Euros triumph.
      West Bromwich Albion Women will wear navy shorts with their home shirts for the rest of this season and beyond
      The club’s choice for players to don navy shorts instead of white ones, for the rest of this season and beyond, was made after a “full consultation” with the squad.
      It comes in a year which has seen discussions across a number of sports around the challenges for female athletes wearing white outfits during their periods.
      West Brom captain Hannah George, 27, whose team play Brighouse Town this Sunday said: “It’s great that the club are supporting our change to navy shorts. 
      “Representing the club professionally and looking smart in the kit is really important to us.
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      “This change will help us to focus on our performance without added concerns or anxiety.”
      Head Coach, Jenny Sugarman, whose side competes in the third tier, added: “It’s our job as staff to find every percentage point we can to support our players to perform at their best. 
      “I’m proud the club have supported the decision to switch to navy shorts for our female players.
      “It’s another sign of the continued integration of the women’s team across the club and recognition of a progressive and inclusive culture.”
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      The issue of female athletes being obliged to wear white gear during their periods has been an ongoing topic across a variety of sports.
      In July, Arsenal ace Beth Mead said the Lionesses shared their thoughts with Nike regarding the practicality of donning white shorts during their menstrual cycles
      Players had discussed the possibility of a colour change.
      And in June female tennis stars queried the All England Club’s regulation of all-white wear for women competing at Wimbledon during their periods.
      Two-time doubles winner Rennae Stubbs highlighted some of the challenges facing players wearing light-coloured sports gear during these moments.
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      The 2001 and 2004 Wimbledon doubles champion told Telegraph Sport: “At Wimbledon, you’re very cognizant of making sure that everything’s ‘good to go’ the moment you walk on the court – making sure that you have a tampon.
      “A lot of women have pads on top of that or making sure you have an extra-large tampon before you go on court.”
      England Women’s players shared their feedback with Nike in regard to a change to the colour of their shortsCredit: Getty More

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      Footie fan who threw flare at ref becomes FIRST woman in Britain to be banned from ALL MATCHES

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      A FOOTBALL fan who threw a flare at a referee has become the first woman in Britain to be banned from all matches.CCTV footage showed Abbie-Leigh Reay, 23, dancing in celebration when the missile landed near ref Lee Swabey and the opposition goalie.
      Abbie-Leigh Reay has become the first woman in Britain to be banned from all soccer grounds
      Police stopped the Tranmere fan as she left her team’s 4-0 League Two defeat to Forest Green Rovers in January.
      Despite her arrest, Reay posted winking pictures of her at the match with her girlfriend, along with a laughing emoji and the caption: “Before it all went downhill.”
      One of her comments read: “Just hope I don’t get banned.”
      Aldi worker Reay, of Bebington, Wirral, got a three-year ban after she was convicted of throwing a missile on to a football playing area.
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      Sefton JPs fined her £250 with £654 costs.
      Sentencing, District Judge Paul Healey, said: “You throw the flare on to the pitch which puts people there at risk.
      “No one is struck but there is a risk and as a result of your actions, police and stewards had to intervene.
      “There was a large crowd which put them in a difficult situation.
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      “They have to take action.
      “There is a risk of it escalating further.”
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      Ajax 0 Arsenal 1 (Agg 2-3): Miedema nets to send Gunners through to Champions League group stages

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      VIVIANNE MIEDEMA struck as Arsenal dispatched Ajax on a rain-sodden Champions League night in the Netherlands.The Dutch hotshot netted with the Gunners clinching a 1-0 away victory to book their group stage place. 
      Vivianne Miedema was on target against Ajax with her third goal of the season across all competitions for ArsenalCredit: EPA
      The Gunners will compete in the group stages of the Champions League following their round two defeat of AjaxCredit: Getty
      The round two second leg result saw Arsenal win 3-2 on aggregate this evening.
      But the visitors suffered injury scares with Rafaelle Souza crocked and Beth Mead subbed off after a nasty-looking blow to her head.
      Last Tuesday saw the Gunners frustrated by their battling Dutch opponents who caught them cold with a late goal.
      But tonight’s match – played on the outskirts of Amsterdam – was a different story as Jonas Eidevall’s side put that result to bed with a battling display. 
      The visitors began positively with the hosts intervening to snuff a second-minute break for the box
      But then Ajax made their presence felt going forward with Ashleigh Weerden jetting down the left, but unable to find a team-mate with her tenth-minute cross.
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      Moments later a dangerous through-ball found Romee Leuchter before Leah Williamson snuffed out the threat.
      Arsenal tested keeper Lize Kop in the 19th minute before a defence-splitting Katie McCabe pass almost found Wienroither in the box six minutes later.
      A dodgy back pass from Steph Catley almost caught Manuela Zinsberger out of position shortly before a Blackstenius shot in the 36th minute
      Eidevall was forced to shuffle his deck with Rafaelle limping off following an earlier kick from Chastity Grant.
      And Miedema fired a shot over the crossbar close to half-time
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      The Gunners striker bagged her third goal of the season, across all competitions, burying a bottom corner strike in the 51st minute.
      Later Mead entered the fray for the visitors shortly after Tiny Hoekstra was subbed on for Ajax with 25 minutes of normal time left.
      And Hoekstra came dangerously close to sliding in a leveller before a nasty clash of heads between Mead and Nadine Doordam saw the latter cautioned.
      Mead was later forced to come off after feeling the effects of the blow to her head in the closing minutes.
      The visitors held out to join Chelsea in the Champions League groups stages.
      Beth Mead was forced to come off late in the game after Nadine Noordam clashed heads with the forwardCredit: Getty More

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      Eidevall to take momentum from Arsenal’s North London derby win into a tough battle with Ajax

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      JONAS EIDEVALL is under no illusion about the hard task awaiting Arsenal in their battle with Ajax for a Champions League group stage spot.The Gunners are targeting an away win against their opponents who frustrated the WSL leaders by clinching a Round Two first-leg draw.
      A win for Arsenal against Ajax will see them join Chelsea in the Champions League group stageCredit: Getty
      Arsenal go into the game, which kicks off at 6:00 pm tonight, off the back of a 4-0 win against Tottenham watched by a record WSL crowd of 47,367 at the Emirates.
      And they will play in front of a record crowd at the De Toekomst Stadium home of their rivals this evening.
      Victory over Ajax will see the Gunners play their Champions League group stage games at the Emirates.
      Arsenal head coach Eidevall, 39, who has a fully fit squad for the game, said: “Of course, we want to play in the group stage and we want to go as far as possible.
      “This is the game we need to win in order to get there.
      “In the Champions League it’s about playing against the best. It’s about being challenged.
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      “And it’s nice the club want to play at the best stadium – the Emirates. We will do our very best in order to go through.
      “We can take a lot of energy and positive momentum from our win against Tottenham.”
      On whether Ajax will be buoyed by the draw by their impressive display last time out, Eidevall added: “I thought they played with a lot of confidence last week.
      “I’m under no illusion that this game will be anything else.
      “It will be a hard game. Away matches in Europe are tough when we’re playing a good team like Ajax.
      “We will need to defend well, attack well and be good at set pieces and in transition.
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      “It’s up to us to be the best that we can possibly be. I believe we can go through.”
      Having reached the contest’s quarter-final stage last term before being knocked out by Wolfsburg Eidevall’s side hope to progress further this season.
      And the club remains the only English side to have won the Women’s Champions League with their 2007 triumph.
      Since then, the contest has been dominated by Europe’s other giants with French side Lyon having won the tournament eight times, including their 3-1 triumph over Barcelona in May.
      Chelsea became the first English side to reach the final in 14 years when they took on Catalan giants Barca in May last year.
      The overall winner of this term’s Champions League is set to receive £301,000 in prize money with the runners-up awarded £172,000.
      Jonas Eidevall is confident Arsenal will be able to defeat Ajax away from homeCredit: Getty
      Match victories for teams in the group stage is thought to earn sides £43,000.
      On whether he feels constant pressure on Arsenal from a financial perspective, Eidevall added: “I don’t spend much time thinking about other things and I don’t think I should do either.
      “I went into this game preparing to get the best possibilities to win and I don’t think about anything else.” More

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      England boss Wiegman says ‘door is still open’ for Steph Houghton and recalls Fran Kirby and Chloe Kelly

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      SARINA WIEGMAN says the “door is still open” for Steph Houghton with players vying for England spots before next summer’s World Cup.The Lionesses chief had “hard choices” to make with three Euros winners left out of her group before a sell-out Wembley clash with the USA.
      Sarina Wiegman intends to meet with Steph Houghton at the end of October to see “where things are at”Credit: Getty
      Fran Kirby is back in the Lionesses squad after a making comeback from injuryCredit: Getty
      Chloe Kelly has also been recalled for England duty ahead of the team’s games against the USA and the Czech Republic in OctoberCredit: Getty
      Wiegman was speaking after Houghton, 34, shared her thoughts on being dropped from the squad that went on to become European Champions in July.
      The England head coach, 52, said: “I’ve had a conversation with her again and I don’t think she’s quite ready.
      “We wanted to bring in some young players but it’s ten months still to go until the World Cup.

      “The door is still open, and I will meet her again at the end of October and see where we’re at, at that moment.”
      Chelsea and Manchester City stars, Fran Kirby, 29, and Chloe Kelly, 24, are back in the 24-strong squad following their return to WSL action from injury.
      Esme Morgan is back for the first time since a call-up last September, with the Man City defender missing England’s camp that month due to a shin injury.
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      But Jordan Nobbs, 29, and Euros-winning trio Beth England, 28, Nikita Parris, 28, and Lotte-Wubben Moy, 23, have been left out ahead of a tough test against the USA.
      Wiegman added: “Picking players is all about performance and what we see is there is a big competition and the depth in the squad is really good. 
      “It’s hard to make choices so I had conversations with all the players who were in the squad before, but are not now.
      “I gave them some feedback and now they have to work and try to fight their way back in.
      “Of course, we’ll keep following them because they are very good players.
      “It’s not just that we’ll follow 22 or 24 players, we’ll follow a big group of players and pick the best ones.”
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      England – currently ranked the fourth-best side in the world – take on four-time World Cup winners the United States at Wembley on Friday 7 October.
      They will then play the Czech Republic at the Amex four days later.
      The team are currently unbeaten under Wiegman having gone 20 games without a loss across all competitions winning 18 matches and drawing twice.
      The last clash between the USA and England saw the Lionesses, then managed by Phil Neville, beaten 2-0 at the SheBelieves Cup in March 2020.
      On if her players have anything to fear from their US opponents, Wiegman added: “With the development of the team, we have shown courage and really played with that to win and not to prevent mistakes.
      Lucy Parker has received her first senior call-up for Lionesses dutyCredit: Getty
      “We want to do that all the time and that is what we tell the players too.
      “Germany and Spain were big opponents too so we will approach it the same way – play to win, accept mistakes and hopefully play our style on the pitch.”
      Ahead of the October games, Wiegman has given a first-time senior call-up to defender Lucy Parker, 23, who has impressed for Paul Konchesky’s West Ham.
      Jess Park, 20, was also named in England’s senior squad after winning praise for her Everton performances following a loan move from Man City.
      Jess Park has been named in the 24-strong Lionesses squad after impressing on loan at Everton from Man CityCredit: Getty
      Wiegman added: “Lucy Parker is very athletic. She has had some injuries but has had good preparation and good games.
      “It will be good to see what they can do compared to some more experienced players.
      “It’s ten months until the World Cup starts, it’s also an opportunity to bring through some young players to see where they are at.”
      England Women’s Squad
      Goalkeepers:
      Mary Earps (Manchester United), Sandy MacIver (Manchester City), Ellie Roebuck (Manchester City)
      Defenders:
      Millie Bright (Chelsea), Lucy Bronze (Barcelona), Jess Carter (Chelsea), Rachel Daly (Aston Villa), Alex Greenwood (Manchester City), Esme Morgan (Manchester City), Lucy Parker (West Ham United), Demi Stokes (Manchester City), Leah Williamson (Arsenal)
      Midfielders:
      Fran Kirby (Chelsea), Jessica Park (Everton, loan from Manchester City), Georgia Stanway (Bayern Munich), Ella Toone (Manchester United), Keira Walsh (Manchester City), Katie Zelem (Manchester United)
      Forwards:
      Lauren Hemp (Manchester City), Lauren James (Chelsea), Chloe Kelly (Manchester City), Beth Mead (Arsenal), Alessia Russo (Manchester United), Ebony Salmon (Houston Dash). More

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      Chambers blasts officiating decision after Reading see a goal disallowed during their WSL clash with Brighton

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      KELLY CHAMBERS hit out at officiating levels in the women’s top-flight after Reading saw a goal chalked off against Brighton.The Royals boss shared her thoughts after her side fell to a 2-0 loss to Albion and saw Deanna Cooper’s first-half header flagged as offside.
      Kelly Chambers says Deanna Cooper was “three yards onside” when she scored a goal later disallowedCredit: Getty
      Cooper and her team-mates fell to their second loss in a row following their season-opening defeat away at Manchester UnitedCredit: Rex
      Reading shared a video replay via their official Twitter page showing the build-up to Cooper’s headed effort.
      Goals from Lee Geum-min and Katie Robinson, saw Albion seal their first win of the season with the Royals notching a second successive defeat. 
      Reading boss Chambers, 36, told the club’s website: “We watched our goal back, Cooper is three yards onside.
      “It’s something we worked on in training it’s worked and then to have it taken away from us it’s not good enough.
      “Unfortunately, we’re now looking at another loss, and if this (officiating) is not addressed, it’s going to start costing managers jobs.
      “We have the highest level of women’s football, yet the level of the officials are not good enough, nowhere near good enough.

      “Regardless, we created more than enough chances to win, and I said that to the girls.
      “But the moment the offside happened, it created a different game.
       “That’s the most frustrating thing, no consequence can come off the officials, but a manager’s career hangs in the balance.
      “If the decision was marginal, I could perhaps come to accept it, but in this instance, we’re talking about a good few yards.
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      “I raised this point last weekend, and if it carries on, managers will begin to get sacked.”
      Elsewhere Paul Konchesky criticised a decision that saw a West Ham goal disallowed during his side’s clash with Manchester United.
      The Irons fell to a 2-0 defeat at home after second-half strikes from Lucia Garcia and Hannah Blundell.
      Lucy Parker netted for the Irons during the game after the ball took a deflection.
      West Ham take on Chelsea away at Kingsmeadow on Wednesday following their loss to Man UnitedCredit: Getty
      But the West Ham defender’s effort was disallowed by referee Emily Heaslip.
      Irons chief Konchesky, 41, told reporters: “Me, and my staff have obviously looked back and seen it, and we think the goal should count.
      “But listen they make the decisions, and it wasn’t to be.” More

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      Eidevall hails ‘fearless’ Arsenal with Mead and Miedema among the scorers watched by a WSL record-breaking crowd

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      JONAS EIDEVALL saluted Arsenal’s fearlessness after their derby day trouncing of Tottenham in front of a record-breaking WSL crowd at the Emirates.More than 47,000 fans watched the Gunners pummel Spurs 4-0 with Vivianne Miedema and Beth Mead netting on Saturday afternoon.
      Beth Mead netted Arsenal’s opener at the Emirates and was applauded by the crowd later in the gameCredit: Getty
      Vivianne Miedema scored twice for Arsenal who have kept eight successive clean sheets in the leagueCredit: Getty
      Katie McCabe made her 100th league appearance for Arsenal and her 158th in all competitions.
      The Ireland captain holds the record with Mead for the most appearances.
      Not since Boxing Day in 1920, when Dick, Kerr Ladies took on St Helen’s Ladies has a women’s club football game in England pulled in a crowd of more than 50,000.
      The Gunners – who had sold 53,000 tickets – came close to reaching the 50,000 mark with 47,367 present at their derby battle yesterday.
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      This was the highest number of fans at a match between two top-tier women’s sides in the country since Chelsea’s FA Cup final defeat of Manchester City in May recorded a 49,094 attendance.
      Yesterday’s game at the Emirates saw Arsenal surpass the WSL match attendance record set in November 2019.
      Back then 38,262 fans watched Spurs play Arsenal at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium.
      On the record being broken, Gunners’ boss Eidevall said: “I don’t want to sound arrogant, but I don’t think we should compare attendance figures in terms of tickets given away and tickets sold.
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      “I don’t think it’s fair when you’re doing that comparison.
      “This game is the best advertisement there can be for people coming.
      “This is what it’s about – for people to come here and to feel proud of the team and the players, and wanting to come here to support
      “We really felt that with the supporters who came and we really hope that many of them come back and bring a friend so we get a sell-out.”
      Kelly Simmons, the FA’s women’s professional game director said: “The atmosphere at The Emirates was absolutely incredible.
      “Seeing 47,367 fans in the stadium shows just how much the women’s game has grown.
      “I hope this momentum can continue throughout the whole campaign.”
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      The result for Arsenal was the perfect antidote to their midweek 2-2 draw with Ajax in the Champions League.
      The Dutch side snatched a late Round 2 first-leg equaliser at Meadow Park.
      Eidevall, whose team play Ajax in the return leg on Wednesday, added: “For us, it’s really important that we give 100 per cent when we play. We shouldn’t have any other gear.
      “With our positioning we made Spurs look less aggressive in their press.
      “They are a very good team, but we didn’t concede one single goalscoring opportunity against them.
      “After the Ajax game, I told the players we played poor defence that night.
      Jonas Eidevall’s team are top of the table after two wins and take on Ajax next in the Champions LeagueCredit: Getty
      “I said there is no team sport where you can play poor defence and expect to win
      “But here we played great in defence, and we now have eight clean sheets in a row in the WSL.
      “This is very, very impressive and a big testament to the players.
      “The fearlessness that the players did it with, I was so impressed with that.
      The Gunners took just five minutes to get off the mark as they looked to hem the visitors into their own half.
      Beth Mead opened the scoring by latching onto a threaded pass before curling in the opener beyond Rebecca Spencer.
      The hosts looked to make it 2-0 with Katie McCabe firing an effort over the bar before Spurs began to settle a little and made one of a few forays forward.
      Manuela Zinsberger made a comfortable stop from Celin Bizet Ildhusoy’s attempt in the 38th minute.
      Arsenal doubled their lead moments close to half time with Miedema scoring her first league goal of the season.
      They went three up with Rafaelle’s towering 54th-minute header before Miedema’s second goal 15 minutes later.
      The contest became a little tetchy with Caitlin Foord cautioned for a challenge before Tottenham’s Ashleigh Neville and Amy Turner were booked.
      Spurs boss Rehanne Skinner hopes her side will take some lessons from the result ahead in their Conti Cup duel with Reading.
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      Skinner said: “I don’t think we did it ourselves justice, so that’s disappointing for everybody involved.
      “But it’s definitely something that we need to take the lessons from and improve on for the game next week.”
      Caitlin Foord was among the standout performers for Arsenal against TottenhamCredit: Getty
      Rehanne Skinner is targeting a win for Tottenham against Reading in the Conti CupCredit: Getty More