Just last weekend Arsenal and Chelsea went to battle in one cup competition, and they’re back at it again on Sunday. The Blues prevailed with relative ease in the FA Cup and attentions now turn to the Conti Cup final, a showcase event set to go down at Selhurst Park.
Next Instalment of London Derby in Conti Cup Final
Who are the Difference Makers for the Two Sides?
It has proven difficult to discuss Arsenal recently without highlighting the injuries to Beth Mead and Vivianne Miedema. Despite still having a wealth of talent on the field, the Gunners have often looked blunt in the final third. Swedish duo Lina Hurtig and Stina Blackstenius are amongst those tasked with picking up the slack and the latter may have nine goals to her name, but it still hasn’t been enough.
Not only are the forwards underperforming but at times, the defensive players have made mistakes here and there. Leah Williamson and Rafaelle Souza may be excellent but the errors they made last time out against Chelsea along with goalkeeper Manu Zinsberger proved costly.
Sam Kerr's FA Cup Final goal against Arsenal. Outrageous chip 🤯 #WomensFACup @samkerr1 #CFCW pic.twitter.com/2wEb7Fu7Jh
— Fanzine WSL (@FanzineWSL) March 2, 2023
On the other hand, Chelsea come into this Conti Cup final firing on all cylinders and they are certainly the favourites to reclaim this trophy. Sam Kerr is inevitable yet it was a defensive run of hers that caught the eye last weekend, as she sprinted back to pull off a key block. Lauren James is in the form of her life with those trademark dribbles causing every backline constant headaches.
Captain Magdalena Eriksson is full of praise for the young Lionesses star, saying the following. “Lauren’s development lately is amazing… She is in a league of her own.” The Swede is herself an integral figure in the Chelsea dressing room and she won’t be resting on her laurels, stating that “we’re not concerned too much about beating them” in the last fixture.
Read More: https://lastwordonsports.com/football/2023/01/06/jordan-nobbs-joins-aston-villa/
A Repeat of the 2020 Conti Cup Final
Arsenal versus Chelsea is a very common fixture whether it be in the WSL or in the latter stages of the various cup competitions. Three times in the last decade, the pair have faced off in the FA Cup final and they also went toe-to-toe in the 2019/20 Conti Cup final.
Emma Hayes’ side have consistently had the upper hand with Arsenal winless in five in this fixture. The pair enjoyed a tense meeting at the Emirates back in January and for all the while it seemed that Kim Little’s penalty was going to be the difference maker, only for Sam Kerr to do what she does best at the death. The Matilda’s’ star was on target last weekend too, scoring the second in a 2-0 win at Kingsmeadow in the fifth round of the FA Cup, Sophie Ingle netting the opener there.
Can Arsenal get 𝙩𝙝𝙖𝙩 moment again with a win over Chelsea in the Conti Cup final this weekend? 🔴 pic.twitter.com/ccBI91WmFx
— DAZN Football (@DAZNFootball) March 2, 2023
German shot-stopper Ann-Katrin Berger was named Player of the Match three years back as her Chelsea team edged out their city rivals. Beth England, now of Tottenham Hotspur, poked home the opener in the first ten minutes and an Arsenal onslaught followed, but to no avail.
They weren’t able to hit back until the 85th minute when Williamson reacted to her own rebound and fired home the equalizer for Jonas Eidevall‘s side. This elation was short-lived as England came to the fore again and won it at the death in Nottingham.
Both sides hold a lot of pedigree in the women’s game and so it promises to be a must-watch clash in South London. The trophy is guaranteed to change hands as Manchester City reined victorious last year, but who will prevail in the Conti Cup final?
Arsenal vs Chelsea will kick off at 15:00 on Sunday 5/3/23, live on BBC iPlayer.
