Published: 14 March, 2013
by CATHERINE ETOE

AS competitive starts go, you don’t get much more frenetic than four cup matches in just 11 days.

But that is the baptism of fire that Arsenal Ladies face once the new season kicks off on Sunday.

Starting with a trip to Nottingham Forest in the fifth round of the FA Cup, the Gunners also play ASD Torres in the Champions League quarter-finals and host Birmingham City in the Continental Cup.

Success in all four games is a big ask, but new Arsenal Ladies’ boss and former Scotland international Shelley Kerr is confident that her seasoned charges are ready and up to the challenge.

“When you’re at a club that’s been dominant like Arsenal you know you’re going to be in cups, and that’s what players thrive on,” the 43-year-old told the New Journal. When you get to a certain level you need challenges, and that’s what these games are going to be.”

So far, Uefa Pro Licence-holder Kerr has only seen her new side in competitive action in two friendlies – and 10 of her senior players have been away on Cyprus Cup duties with England, Scotland and the Republic of Ireland since the end of February.

The Arsenal contingent have dominated that competition, with goals from Jordan Nobbs, Steph Houghton, Ellen White and Kelly Smith having propelled the Three Lions into yesterday’s (Wednesday) final. Yet again it was an Arsenal player who settled the match as Rachel Yankey scored the only goal to seal a 1-0 victory over Canada and earn England the trophy.

Only Kerr knows how many of the players that have been on international duty will be thrown straight back into domestic action. But the Scot believes that all her players will hit the ground running at Nottingham Forest on Sunday.

“The girls were disappointed last year at not winning the FA Cup so I know it’s something they are very hungry to do well in,” she said.
“I’m really excited, I’ve been in contact with the girls who have been involved in the Cyprus Cup and I can’t wait to get going.”

Arsenal fans will get the chance to run the rule over the new Kerr reign at Borehamwood on March 20 when the Gunners host Italian side Torres in the Champions League. Kerr says fans can expect to see football played the Arsenal Ladies way. “We’ve got experience in the competition and hopefully that stands us in good stead for the home tie,” she said.

“We want to play good football and provide the fans with a product that is associated with Arsenal Ladies ­– attractive football with an end product.”
Kick-off for Arsenal vs ASD Torres on March 20 is at 2pm. Tickets £5 adults/£2.50 concessions.