Three things we learned after Arsenal Women win the Conti Cup final against Chelsea at Molineux

We needed this win

It has been a season of ups and downs, and therefore marred by inconsistency. We needed it for our confidence and for the fans. The fans have been incredible, and they were again on Sunday (in fact the rendition of North London forever at the start of extra time may have really pushed the team on).

They deserved this win for their dedication to the team and the team also deserved it for some of the performances they have put on this season (against United and Chelsea at home mainly).

It gives us something to show for the season, and for some of the adversity the team has faced. 

Jonas made some good subs and tactical decisions

Stina leading the press and keeping Buchanan and Leopolz occupied meant that their build up was through either Carter or Hampton, who weren’t really able to find the cutting passes needed.

Stina pressed well. I also thought Kyra Cooney-Cross was effective when she came on, and we obviously had a plan for the game to become more transitional in extra time because we didn’t want it to go to penalties and we knew that Chelsea’s legs were tiring. We probably deserved it over the course of the 90 minutes, in my opinion.

Emily Fox by the way. I will never stop banging that drum. She is SO good. Wubben-Moy has also been our most consistent player this season and she was brilliant again. Shout out to Pelova and Codina too. They were ace.

We can be proud of the group

They are resilient. After what happened to Frida Maanum, and the emotion associated with that, the group found a way to win and looked like the better team in extra time.

They are also so connected to the club and to the fans and are so together as a team.

Some of the best moments which showed this were the following: Cloe Lacasse realising she would have to walk past the Chelsea fans when being subbed off so choosing to turn and walk past the Arsenal fans instead and being seranadaed, the players all dancing to eachother’s songs, and the players all encouraging eachother to take their moment with the trophy.