Published: 17 July, 2014
by CATHERINE ETOE

A CUP semi-final awaits Arsenal Ladies after they obliterated two lower league opponents in the space of four days to make the final four of the Continental Cup.

The holders, who were treated to a town hall reception in Islington (pictured above) this week in recognition of their FA Cup victory in June, will face Notts County in the semi in September.

The Gunners hit 11 goals without reply to keep their Conti Cup dreams alive, beating Women’s Super League 2 sides London Bees 7-0 and Millwall 4-0 on Thursday and Sunday respectively.

Caretaker manager John Bayer’s side, now unbeaten in four since their FA Cup win on June 1, were due to return to WSL 1 league action last night (Wednesday) with a visit to Chelsea. 

Arsenal went into the match against former Gunners assistant manager and Parliament Hill School old girl Emma Hayes’s Blues looking to kick-start their league season.

A disappointing start has left Arsenal languishing at the bottom end of the table but the new-look Gunners side is finally gelling under caretaker Bayer.

And their chances of a league revival has been enhanced by the return from injury of midfield engine Jordan Nobbs, who managed 70 minutes against Millwall.

Speaking at the Islington reception on Monday, 21-year-old Nobbs told the New Journal she had been “pulling her hair out” during her recovery from a back injury and was delighted to be back. She added: “As a new squad we needed time to build as a team and I think we’ve gone through that process and will hopefully progress.”