Kerr on Carter, Weir and young players

Shelley Kerr spoke to the media after Arsenal Ladies progressed to the last 16 of the Champions League with an emphatic 18-2 aggregate win. 

Read a transcript of what she had to say below:

on another big win…
It was an open game for us attacking-wise. We tried a couple of things in the second half, such as [changing] the shape. I thought we scored some fantastic goals, we were dominant in the game and there were some good individual performances but overall we're just delighted to get through to the next round.

on the year…
I wouldn't say it's been a tricky year. I think as a squad and as a club we've done really well, we've only lost one game domestically all season. Recently we've been in fantastic form and we've shown that over the two legs. Hopefully we can continue that now into the next round of the competition.

on Danielle Carter's season…
Since the summer she's been in devastating form. She's played through the middled and she's really enjoying it. With all young players it's all about getting confidence and you can see that she is loving her football at the moment.

on Caroline Weir's goal…
The away tie was her first taste of Champions League football and I think people forget she is only 18 years old but what a debut goal to score, it was fantastic. I've known her since she was a young kid and she's capable of that so for me it wasn't much of a surprise. I'm just delighted for her.

on giving Jade Bailey and Freda Ayisi game time…
I think that's important. We've restructured at the Club and it's important that we try and invest in the youth players and blend them in at the right time. It's great to see them doing well. Don't forget Emma [Mitchell] is only 21 and Jordan [Nobbs] is a similar age so there are a lot of players here who are fantastic talents and they're still really young. But it's important to have experience as well and be successful with the balance of the team.

on having Kelly Smith on the bench with her…
She's fantastic for me as a support. But she is also fantastic for the players as someone with the talent and experience she has got. She's been training with us this week which is fantastic news for the Club. She's played 30 minutes all season and is arguably one of the best players in Europe. So we've missed her on the pitch but in terms of myself I'm glad that she's sitting beside me and has an input in the game. You never know, she might make the next round.