Arsenal Women win the FA Cup!
The Arsenal women have today lifted yet another FA Cup to add to their decorative history of silverware.
Arsenal Ladies had the chance to lift the cup a record 14th time, a record that is similar to the men’s team, who currently hold the most FA Cup wins, standing at 12 times.
The Arsenal Ladies made the trip up to Wembley in hope of beating a currently unbeaten Chelsea Ladies and had success with a 1-0 win. A single goal from Danielle Carter in the 18th minute was enough for the Gunners, as they kept a clean sheet in a very dominant performance. The Arsenal ladies would’ve expected a far greater challenge from their opponents today, however their efforts are still well deserved.
Whilst the men end the season with no trophies, except for the FA Community Shield, although I know many do not consider the Community Shield as a ‘real’ trophy, the women on the other hand have already had some success this season. Although their FA Cup success may prove positive, their league form on the other hand has not been quite so dominant. Like their male counterparts, Arsenal ladies currently sit in third place in the Women’s Super League (WSL) after a fairly average start of two wins, a draw and two losses. The Gunners sit 8 points behind last years Champions Chelsea and they were unbeaten in both competitions until today’s match.
Arsenal ladies have appeared in an FA Cup final on 15 occasions, only losing the final once, a 3-2 defeat against Everton back in 2010. They have risen to become one of the greatest women’s professional teams in Europe and have shown the strength that they hold as a football club with the amount of silverware won during the Arsenal ladies existence. It has only really been the last few years where women’s football has risen in fame in England and although it may still not be where it wants to be, interest in it is always increasing. A record 32,912 people watched Arsenal lift the trophy at Wembley showing that there is a growing interest in the women’s professional game and I’m sure that it will only continue to keep generating further attraction.
Arsenal ladies now move their focus back to the domestic league and will hope to use the FA Cup success, as means of a boost to achieving a better position in the league. You can regularly see what Arsenal ladies are getting up to on Arsenal.com, whilst highlights of today’s game can be found on the BBC Website at http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/36293292
By AH