Arsenal, once serial winners in the women’s game, have been made to wait to taste success again – but they rolled back the years on Sunday with their victory over Chelsea bringing back memories of those trophy-laden campaigns.
Jonas Eidevall’s side were deserved winners in the Continental League Cup final at Selhurst Park, showing desire, passion and plenty of quality to come from behind and win 3-1.
“It has been like watching the Arsenal of old,” said ex-England midfielder Fara Williams as Arsenal added a sixth League Cup title to their trophy cabinet.
It had been four years since the Gunners last lifted a trophy and they had to overcome a Chelsea side who have caused them so much misery in recent encounters.
It was five meetings without a win against Chelsea heading into the final – their latest coming in the FA Cup last weekend – but despite going behind within two minutes, Arsenal showed the type of resilience and fight which underpinned their previous successes years ago.
“When you look at the last decade, Arsenal have not been the leading club in women’s football but historically it has been,” said manager Jonas Eidevall.
“There is of course ambition in the club to go back to that position. With that being said, we know it’s difficult – but that’s the ambition.
“This can fill us with belief as we can see it can result in a trophy with the way we work.”