Ludlow emphasises Gunners talent

Arsenal LFC's 1-0 win at Umeå IK in the first leg of the UEFA Women's Cup final last Saturday was against the odds - the two-time European champions from Sweden were not expected to go into Sunday's return at Borehamwood with a deficit.

'World-class players'
But for Jayne Ludlow, Arsenal's captain in their dramatic victory, it bore out how the Gunners have improved over the course of five European campaigns, in which before this season they had reached no finals to Umeå's three. "We are trying to prove the point to everyone out there that we have world-class players," Ludlow said. "We haven't proved it in the past. Each year we've played in this competition we've got more experience behind us."

Defensive reshuffle
Welsh international midfielder Ludlow has been captaining Arsenal this season in the absence of Faye White, the defender who has been out since the summer with a knee ligament injury but had recovered enough to sit on the bench in Sweden. While White and fellow defenders Leanne Champ and Yvonne Tracy have been out Arsenal have been forced into a squad reshuffle and the backline, who have seldom been tested while the Gunners have dominated the English scene in 2006/07, came into their own at Umeå and will need to do so again on Sunday.

'Not about individuals'
"We've proved what a squad we are and how good we are as a unit - it's not about individuals," Ludlow said. "Back line, midfield, forwards - it was a great team performance. Hopefully we can repeat that. A few people get extra plaudits sometimes and the defence get left out as we score so many goals everyone forgets we've only let in about six. In the changing room we appreciate each other and that shows when we are under the cosh."

Marta talent
That clean sheet was even more impressive considering the talent Umeå can draw on, most notably Brazilian playmaker Marta who showed off her full array of tricks on Saturday. "She did me like a kipper once or twice, which I didn't particularly enjoy," Ludlow admitted. "They've got world-class players and we were aware of that. But our girls are on the world stage now and did a great job."

Scott strike
That job was completed when Alex Scott struck from long range in added time to give Arsenal the lead in the tie - a goal which frankly came out of the blue, even to Ludlow. "It took a while to sink in that she'd found the back of the net but it was a great strike," Ludlow said. "We all know Alex has the ability to do that in every game but it was even more important than a usual game."