The Arsenal Ladies are on track to finish their season on a potential high after two wins, one narrow loss and the appointment of a new manager.
Pedro Martinez Losa was named Arsenal first team manager at the end of August and will take up the reins from September 15, 2014. His first match in charge is on September 20 against Bristol Academy in the WSL. Until then, player-coach Kelly Smith continues to look after the squad’s preparations. The 38-year-old was the assistant coach at Western New York Flash in the USA National Women’s Soccer League since summer 2012. Before that he was Head Coach for Rayo Vallecano Femenino in Spain, whom he coached to a Spanish Cup in 2008 (the first major trophy in their history) and a league title in 2009 and 2010, as well as the last 16 of the UEFA Women’s Champions League during the 2010/11 season.
Arsenal General Manager Clare Wheatley was equally appreciative about the UEFA “A” License holder.
Arsenal Ladies not only moved into the top half of the WSL table, but they also made it into yet another Continental Cup final after beating Notts County 2-0. The Gunners were taken into extra time by a team that had frustrated them on two prior occasions. Caroline Weir scored in the 99th minute and Kelly Smith scored a penalty in the 117th minute. This semi-final win was all the more important after the Ladies’ narrow loss to league leaders Chelsea at Meadow Park three days prior. In the Chelsea game, Danielle Carter opened the scoring in the 10th minute before winning a penalty ten minutes later. But Casey Stoney couldn’t convert and Chelsea equalised through a penalty of their own in the 25th minute. The visitors were rising in confidence and went ahead through Jackie Groenen less than 5 minutes later. But Arsenal Ladies came back strong as Leah Williamson made it 2-2 before the half-time break. The second half kept the score level until the 88th minute when Ji So Yun made the most of keeper Byrne’s mis-kick to give Chelsea a slim 3-2 win.
Prior to that on September 1, 2014, Arsenal beat Birmingham 2-1 through goals via Casey Stoney (23) and Freda Ayisi (70) even as Birmingham scored a consolation in stoppage time from a penalty.
In the Continental Cup final, Arsenal face Manchester City who beat WSL leaders Chelsea courtesy of a Toni Duggan goal. Player-coach Kelly Smith was all praise for the side and confident of their ability to concentrate and be consistent in the remaining games. She also promised that the Arsenal Ladies would fight for their place in the top flight of English women’s football.
The club continue their efforts to increase the awareness and support for grass-root level girls and women’s football with a new community initiative. The player development programme which targets the age group of 7-14 year olds has already launched on September 9, 2014 and will run all the way into March depending on which block you book your place in. The venue is Aldenham School, Elstree Hertfordshire WD6 3AJ and all details can be found here.
For regular fans and followers of the Arsenal Ladies, there is also an online feedback survey until September 29, 2014.
That is all for now, stay sane and safe fellow Gooners!
Clear Eyes. Full Hearts. Can’t Lose.
Anushree Nande
Born and brought up in Mumbai, India. An eternally optimistic and fiercely loyal Gooner Girl for life. Bachelors and Masters degrees in Creative Writing (with Media Studies) from Edge Hill University, England. Passionate about words, sports, music, tv, movies, travel and art. Columnist, editor, writer and guest writer for many online publications on different topics.
Anushree has three published short stories, including one on Amazon: “L’Effet De Papillon“. She is working on her first novel.
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