Ladies: Lincoln v Arsenal - Preview

On Sunday night, Arsenal Ladies midfielder Kim Little made history at the annual Professional Footballers' Association awards at the Grosvenor Hotel in central London when she was voted the PFA Women's Player of the Year.

While Tottenham Hotspur's Gareth Bale picked up the 40th men's award, this year was the first time that there was a female equivalent.

Arsenal Ladies players accounted for half of the six nominees. The efforts of Jordan Nobbs and Gemma Davison, both at the heart of some of the Ladies' most impressive performances in the 2012/13 season, were duly noted and the pair took their place alongside Little on the shortlist.

Little's contribution to Arsenal Ladies' continued dominance of the English game is one that cannot be underestimated. The Scottish international topped the scoring charts in last season's Women's Super League, just as she did in 2011. She scored the winning goal in the Continental Cup final, a screamer from the edge of the box against Birmingham City Ladies, and she represented Team GB at the 2012 Olympics.

But despite all of those achievements, the 22-year-old was surprised to pick up the trophy.

"I didn't expect to get it at all," she told Arsenal.com. "All the other players nominated are great players. There's obviously the girls at Arsenal, and then of course Jess Fishlock, Toni Duggan and Jodie Taylor so I didn't expect it. But it was great to get it on the night.

"I was so happy, especially with it being the first time the women's award was included. I'm really proud that I was there but to win it was even more special.

"It's a big step that Women's Super League players can be part of the PFA and can become members. For them to bring the women's award to the evening with all the players and the past players was great.

"It was lovely to get it and to be recognised as one of the best players last year. I just hope I can keep up my standards and take that into my play for Arsenal this year. We want to win more trophies."

The quest for more trophies continues on Thursday evening when Shelley Kerr takes her side to Lincoln in the Continental Cup.

Lincoln are without a win in their last three games but Little doesn't expect an easy ride at Sincil Bank.

"We've not started our Continental Cup campaign or our league campaign but we've got the chance to start well against Lincoln on Thursday and against Liverpool next week," she said. "I'm looking forward to the game and Lincoln have strengthened this year so it should be a really good game.

"They've signed a great keeper in Karen Bardsley. I played at the Olympics with her last year. She's a great addition to them but we want to start with a win and get our campaign off to a good start.

"We were disappointed to be knocked out of the Champions League but we responded well and getting to the final of the FA Cup was great. We just want to kick on in all competitions now."