Arsenal goalscorer Alex Scott on the ball with Chelsea striker Sofia Jakobsson. Photo: catherine etoe

Published: 13 June, 2013

ARSENAL Ladies boss Shelley Kerr predicts her side will step up a level when the Women’s Super League returns from its mid-season break in August.

The Gunners moved into fifth in the table after signing off for the mini-break with a 2-1 win over Chelsea at a sunny Meadow Park in front of more than 1,100 spectators on Thursday.

Kerr’s side are eight points off the pace, but have two games in hand on the top two and the Scot believes the reigning champions can claw back the divide.

“We wanted to get the three points so badly because you then get the chance to regroup and be stronger in the second part of the season,” Kerr said. “We are now looking to go to the next level.”

Goals from Gilly Flaherty and Alex Scott (pictured above) sealed the win for the Gunners on Thursday and, though Eni Aluko pulled a goal back for Chelsea, Arsenal held on.

“When you’ve got a two goal cushion it’s never easy because there are so many good players in this league and they will punish you if you make any mistakes and that’s exactly what happened,” added Kerr. “But I thought we deserved the three points.”

Chelsea boss Emma Hayes said her team were disappointed not to get anything out of the match. “Both teams fought hard,” she said.

“My team has given a good account of themselves, showing how much the product of the league is improving, but Arsenal are the benchmark.”
Arsenal will now have to wait until August to push on in the WSL because the league is taking a seven-week break for the Women’s European championships in Sweden.

Several Ladies stars are in the running to make the England squad for the three-week tournament. The roster will be be announced on Monday.
n FORMER Arsenal Ladies assistant manager and Quadruple winner Emma Hayes said she was happy to be back at Borehamwood on Thursday night, even though her focus was on her Chelsea team.

“It did feel a bit weird – before the game I walked into the home dressing room and I went to the home dug-out for the warm up, so it took me an adjustment period,” said the former Parliament Hill School pupil.

“It was good to see some old faces but once the game kicked off I was just concentrating on coaching.”

Chelsea were back in action on Sunday when they lost 4-1 to Everton, but the Blues go into the mid-season break one place above Arsenal in fourth place.