Pre-Match Report

Arsenal v Yeovil: The Brief

Jordan Nobbs and Lisa Evans

It’s been a week full of positives for Joe Montemurro.

After securing our place in the fifth round of the Women’s FA Cup with a 3-0 win at Yeovil Town, we hit three goals past Liverpool without reply on Wednesday night.

 

The result sees us close the gap on the third-placed Reds to just one point going into the final 10 games of the season and, with Manchester City only eight points ahead at the top of the league, it has given Montemurro renewed confidence that the title race is still very much on.

 

Another three points against Yeovil Town will help us continue our late surge up the table. We beat the Glovers 3-0 in last weekend’s SSE Women’s FA Cup fourth-round tie and, with Sunday’s opponents yet to score this season, we are certainly favourites going into the fixture.

 

After of the game, we caught up with Montemurro to reflect on that win against Liverpool, Lisa Evans’ emergence as an effective option at right back and why we shouldn’t underestimate this weekend’s opponents.

BUILDING UP CONFIDENCE

Montemurro on our 3-0 win at Liverpool…

“It was a classic end-to-end game between two top sides but after we scored we managed to get into a bit of a pattern, and that’s really given our confidence a big boost. Obviously, the three points are massive for us but one of the aspects I was most pleased with is how the things we’ve worked on in training are now coming into fruition.”

Joe Montemurro

EVANS IS THE RIGHT FIT

Montemurro on using Evans at right back…

“Lisa’s been playing in an unfamiliar role at right back this season, but this is a tactical move that I’ve made as many, many clubs that I’ve coached. We like to defend in areas where we can win the ball back and be closer to our opponents’ goal.

 

“Players like Lisa have an understanding of firstly wanting to go forward, so they’re always in a position to attack regardless of what phase the game is in. It just suits the proactive mentality of my sides. Usually, wide players who have played as wingers for most of their lives are probably a bit more competent technically, so they’ve always got a good first touch and their passing ability is a lot more proactive.”

JANSSEN’S ROCKET

Montemurro on Dominique Janssen’s goal against Liverpool…

“I was also pleased to see Janssen find the net on Wednesday evening - and what a strike it was too! I applaud Dominique because there have been times when I’ve had to tell her to come off the training field as she may miss a meal. She’s always out there after the session’s finished, trying to put them in the top corner, shooting from 30 yards and working on that strike. She deserved the reward of a goal.”

THE FINAL WORD

Montemurro on the positive week…

“At the back, we’ve kept three consecutive clean sheets and that’s helped us reach the fifth round of the Women’s FA Cup, where we will face Millwall Lionesses away. We booked our place there by beating Yeovil, but we shouldn’t get complacent. These are professional games, games where we need to be focused and perform in the right manner to win. It’s a vital game and the WSL is a difficult league, so we have to make sure we approach tonight with the right mindset because you can never underestimate anyone.”