Losa on new signings and WSL fixtures

Pedro Martinez Losa is confident Arsenal Ladies are ready for a challenging start to the new season.

The Gunners face four away trips in their first six Women’s Super League matches, starting with a tough visit to Notts County on the opening day of the campaign.

They also have two FA Cup matches scheduled before the mid-season break for the Women’s World Cup, and Losa believes the busy schedule will help his side build momentum.

"Vicky is a very creative player, she has the role of Xavi Hernandez"

Pedro Martinez Losa

“So far, so good,” the manager told Arsenal.com. “We are starting the third week of pre-season and the atmosphere in the group is very positive. Players are working hard and we have new additions in the staff to make us more professional, so we’re very happy.

“The focus on the first part of the season is on winning games, creating a good feeling in the team to make them feel comfortable. Between March and May we have two FA Cup games, which we won last year, so obviously it’s very important for us.

“After that players will be playing at the World Cup, so we will have a break. We’ll keep preparing the team but between July and September we’re going to need to focus as we play once every Sunday, and that’s going to be a big challenge for us.”

Losa has already brought in Lianne Sanderson, Jemma Rose, Natalia Pablos Sanchon and Vicky Losada - and the manager is confident Arsenal’s new faces will build on last season’s FA Cup success.

“Our new additions are going to have a big role in the preparations, and will be able to help us compete at the end of the season in the Continental Cup,” he said. "There’s three big objectives and I don’t think we can relax in any competition.

“I know Lianne Sanderson very well from America so she’s at home at Arsenal. Natalia is doing really well. I think she is the most improved player in the league. I’ve known her for a long time so she’s a good addition and she just needs to adapt to her new team mates.

“Jemma is a fantastic player. Physically, she’s one of our best players as she’s shown her fitness in every session. She’s a young player who has a brilliant future at the club.

“Vicky is very different compared to any other midfielders that I’ve met in my life. She’s a very creative player, she has the role of Xavi Hernandez - she’s a player who grew up with the Barcelona philosophy and she was their captain for a long time.

“What we have to do now is to fit these players into Arsenal’s style. I think that will be very easy with our squad and I’m very confident that they can help the team.”