Arsenal head coach Jonas Eidevall says that the Vitality Women’s FA Cup offers dreams and beliefs to the underdog and it is up to his side to end London City Lionesses’ dreams and beliefs when the pair meet at the LV Bet Stadium on Sunday.
On paper, Arsenal are the overwhelming favourites to win their fourth round tie against London City Lionesses but The Pride are known for their defensive resilience and Melissa Phillips’ side don’t only hold Vitality Women’s FA Cup dreams, they also see themselves as a Barclays FA Women’s Super League club in the future.
Ahead of Sunday’s meeting at the LV Bet Stadium, Arsenal boss Eidevall highlighted the magic that the Vitality Women’s FA Cup provides for lower league opponents.
“It’s the cup, it is so different to the league,” Eidevall told FAWSL Full-Time. “The cup is about dreams and beliefs and on Sunday, we will see it for what it is – they are the ones coming here with dreams and beliefs. They will be thinking that they can do what other people see as impossible.
“We need to make sure that we rest and we are focused for this game in every right way and ensure that we are in a good position to advance.”
With 14 Vitality Women’s FA Cup final wins, Arsenal are the most successful side in the history of the competition. Eidevall went on to highlight the lack of trophies won by the club over the last five years while issuing a strong message regarding future success.
“Arsenal Women are not only the most successful team in the FA Cup, they are the most successful team in women’s football. You have to also look at the last five years and see which teams have won the trophies, Arsenal haven’t won that many during that period.
“Our expectation is to work really, really hard for success and I think that is possible, I really see potential in this team. I see development, I really think there is potential for challenging for trophies this season and for the seasons to come. We need to understand that we need to develop things to get there and be in that position, even if we are number one in the league at the moment, we need to work. We have so much in-front of us because we still need to develop and we can’t relax.
“We need to focus, develop and I am very confident and see the potential that we can do great things.”
The Vitality Women’s FA Cup fourth round tie between Arsenal and London City Lionesses is scheduled to kick-off at 12.30pm on Sunday. Tickets remain available and can be purchased by clicking here.