Arsenal have no ‘mental obstacle’ before Chelsea final

Chelsea and Arsenal have met nine times in all competitions since Jonas Eidevall became Gunners boss in 2021, with the Blues winning four and Arsenal threeWomen’s League Cup final: Arsenal v ChelseaVenue: Molineux Date: 31 March Kick-off: 15:00 BSTCoverage: Watch live on BBC Two, BBC iPlayer & BBC Sport website and app. Commentary also on BBC Radio 5 Sports Extra, with live text updates on the BBC Sport website and app. Arsenal manager Jonas Eidevall insists there is no “mental obstacle” for his side before their Women’s League Cup final against Chelsea on Sunday.

Last season, Eidevall’s side bounced back from an FA Cup defeat by Chelsea to win the League Cup seven days later.

“It’s a big weekend for the club. It’s a focused feeling,” said Eidevall.

“I don’t think there is any mental obstacle for us saying that we couldn’t beat Chelsea because we’ve done so at numerous occasions.

“There also shouldn’t be any complacency going in and saying, like we’re playing against a very, very good team and they’ve been beating us also on numerous occasions.

“It’s about coming down to the best team on the day and preparation plays a huge part in that and that’s what we’re focusing on.”

‘We talk about it’ – quadruple on Chelsea’s mindDebut Arsenal campaign has been ‘tough’ – RussoSunday’s final, live on BBC Two and iPlayer from 14:30 BST, represents Arsenal’s last realistic chance of silverware this season with Eidevall’s side six points adrift of both league leaders Chelsea and second-placed Manchester City in the Women’s Super League with five games remaining.

Chelsea, meanwhile, are chasing a quadruple in Hayes’ last season in charge and progressed to the semi-finals of the Women’s Champions League with a win over Ajax in midweek.

The Blues have been beaten in the past two finals and Hayes, who will become the United States head coach in the summer, wants them to right that wrong.

“Have you watched our performances in the last two Conti Cup finals? Because I have and they have – again and again,” said Hayes.

“Let me be clear on this, the team know exactly how I feel about that final on Sunday in terms of showing up and showing ourselves. I don’t care if it’s important to them, it absolutely is important to me.”

Chelsea raced into a 3-0 lead against a lacklustre Gunners a fortnight ago, but they were completely outplayed at the Emirates earlier in the campaign.

“You have to show up on a day, let’s be clear, they’re two top level teams,” said Hayes.

“Both are capable of winning the games, both have their own qualities. You’ve still got to show up though and present yourself in the way that gives yourself the best chance.

“The team that shows up strong, particularly the first part, you think about the Emirates game, it was over at half-time. You think about at Stamford Bridge, it was over at half-time. You better show up from the off. If you don’t, it can make it a little bit difficult.”