JONAS EIDEVALL hopes Arsenal’s Conti Cup triumph has given them “inner calm” before their return to WSL action.
But he warns the Gunners should not expect anything for free in their clash with Liverpool tonight
Jonas Eidevall’s Gunners could move to within six points of league leaders Man United if they beat Liverpool laterDan Weir / MatchDay Images Limited
GettyArsenal hope to pick up their first win in the top tier this month following their Conti Cup final victory[/caption]
His team, who are fourth, face the Reds at home three days after consigning Chelsea to defeat in the league cup final.
Eidevall’s aces are nine points behind leaders Manchester United.
But they have two games in hand with the Red Devils facing a huge test at Chelsea this Sunday.
The Arsenal gaffer, 40, said: “Winning doesn’t give you anything for free.
“It doesn’t entitle you to anything in the next match you play.
“If you talk about winning culture, it’s about making sure that you focus on the next game.
“Hopefully what it can give you when you’re winning a trophy is that sense of inner calm.
“You have shown people that you’re capable of something that you already know inside that you were, but now others also know it.”
“We’ve been playing a lot of games and they have not
“They obviously have had a lot of time to think about and to prepare on how to go about things in this game.
“We need to focus on the key details in the way we play and be prepared for Liverpool
“We know they’re going to be very well organised, very physical.
“We need to do all the basics right in order to have any chance of getting the results we want.”
Aside from Kim Little, Australia ace Caitlin Foord proved to be one of Arsenal’s biggest threats in their defeat of Chelsea.
The triumph saw them end a four-year spell without a silverware win.
The Gunners forward was a handful in a match that saw Chelsea make defensive changes.
And her performance in Arsenal’s 5-1 October thrashing of Lyon preceded the French giants making a substitution in the right-back position.
Eidevall added: “Caitlin is a key player for us in all aspects of the game.
“Of course, it’s a team effort, but she very much has a big role when we have been successful on our left side in those games.
“Whenever the transfer window closes, there’s no point discussing what you don’t have.
“It’s more about discussing what you do have, and she’s definitely a player that deserves to be in the spotlight with the performances she delivers.”
Liverpool, currently eighth, are looking to bounce back from a narrow 1-0 away loss to Leicester before the international break.
But will have to do so without the services of Natasha Dowie with the striker sidelined by a hamstring injury, with Leanne Kiernan also crocked.
Reds boss Matt Beard said: “It’s a massive blow for us.
“We’ve had a few issues around injuries and we are going to give everyone as much time as possible to be fit for the game.
Beard’s side are five points above the WSL’s drop zone.
GettyLiverpool will be without the services of Natasha Dowie and Leanne Kiernan when they visit Arsenal this evening[/caption]
But they have a game in hand on Leicester City who are propping up the table.
Beard added: “At the start of the season, we identified a mini-league we would be in. We want to make sure we finish at the top of that.
“Right now we are in a good position.”