Transfer news was on the agenda as Jonas Eidevall spoke to the press after Arsenal Women’s 9-0 win over Leeds United in the FA Cup fourth round.

After reports that Arsenal had rejected a bid from Chelsea for Katie McCabe with just days left in the transfer window, Eidevall said “Me and Katie have never spoken about her leaving… there is absolutely no chance of that move happening”, reassuring Arsenal fans that their rivals’ pursuit for McCabe will be an unsuccessful one.

Eidevall has spoken previously about his desire to bring in a striker by the end of the window, and today Arsenal’s head coach remarked that he is “Hopeful, but if it hasn’t happened yet then it is not a guarantee. It’s important, it’s a big moment for us in the season for if we want to be successful”.

Discussing this afternoon’s win, Eidevall felt that the likes of Kathrine Kuhl and Victoria Pelova had “shown the quality they can give us- already I think they are at a high level but I think we can develop them, both short term and long term”.

One of the goalscorers from the 9-0 win was teenage forward Michelle Agyemang, who’s emphatic strike was her first for the Gunners. Her delighted manager called the goal “a really nice moment for her”, and praising the Arsenal fans for giving Agyemang an “awesome” reception. Eidevall believes that the youngster’s impact “sends a really strong message to our academy on what hard work can provide”.

With six of Arsenal’s goals coming in a rampant second half, Eidevall was pleased with how his side continued to attack Leeds. “We left the second half with a really good feeling. There were some things we needed to correct after the first half but the players were brilliant in doing so”. 

“One of our three values is to be one hundred percent, today we were winning and leading the game but we still need to be one hundred percent, and I think Leeds were putting on a brilliant performance… I know they were tired but they never gave up, they also gave one hundred percent today and it was nice to see. I know the result will be hurtful for them but they should be proud of their performance and leave with their heads held high”.