Arsenal firing on all cylinders

By Simon Felstein

With the Premier League Cup already won and one victory separating them from another English title, Arsenal LFC go into their UEFA Women’s Cup semi-final in buoyant mood.

League Cup triumph
Since overturning a 2-0 first leg deficit against Torres Terra Sarda in October to claim a place in the last four against Swedish champions Djurgården/Älvsjö, Arsenal have been on the trophy trail on the domestic front. Despite falling at the semi-final stage in both the Women’s FA Cup and London County Cup, Vic Akers' side tasted cup glory when they defeated Charlton Athletic LFC 3-0 to lift the Premier League Cup last month thanks to two Faye White goals and one from Julie Fleeting.

One win
Arsenal have also overtaken Charlton at the top of the Women’s Premier League, and require just one win from their final two games against Fulham LFC or Charlton to win their fourth league crown in five years, having yet to lose a match.

Kemp winner
The north London side go into their first leg with Djurgården/Älvsjö with a slight edge having already beaten them this season in the second qualifying group stage, courtesy of a Hayley Kemp strike. If Arsenal defeat them once more they will equal their previous best showing in the competition of two seasons ago when they reached the last four.

Trio threat
They are boosted by the return in January of England forward Kelly Smith from American outfit New Jersey Wildcats following a five-year absence. However, she faces a tough battle to dislodge a prolific striking trio of Angela Banks, Liane Sanderson and Fleeting, who have scored 45 goals between them in all competitions from 77 games.