Summary

  • FT: Arsenal 1-0 Chelsea - Stina Blackstenius breaks deadlock in extra time

  • Gunners win back-to-back League Cups after beating Chelsea 3-1 in the 2023 final

  • Match delayed for seven minutes as Arsenal midfielder Frida Maanum collapses

  • Gunners say Maanum 'conscious, talking and in stable condition'

  • Mayra Ramirez first-half goal ruled out by VAR for Erin Cuthbert handball in build-up

  1. 'Blackstenius will be full of confidence'published at 14:54 British Summer Time 31 March

    Arsenal v Chelsea (15:00 BST)

    Fara Williams
    Former England midfielder on BBC Two

    Stina Blackstenius gets herself into some really good areas, the problem is that at times she isn't composed enough. She doesn't get her footwork right in order to execute.

    It does not surprise me that she is top goalscorer with the amount of chances she gets, and she will be coming into this game full of confidence given the amount of goals she has scored in this competition and the league as well.

  2. 'The fans deserve silverware'published at 14:51 British Summer Time 31 March

    Arsenal v Chelsea (15:00 BST)

    Arsenal

    Arsenal defender Leah Williamson speaking to BBC Sport: "The supporters have been incredible this season and sort of turned the tide in women's football.

    "I think that's a fair statement to make. So to give them a day like this and then hopefully some silverware as well, I think that's what they deserve."

    On what will make the difference today: "It's the team that shows up, everything to play for, the mentality to get over the line and do whatever it takes to win a trophy.

    "We've seen many cup finals go many different ways but hopefully it will be a good game for all because it's competitive."

  3. 'Chelsea are different this time of year'published at 14:50 British Summer Time 31 March

    Arsenal v Chelsea (15:00 BST)

    Rachel Corsie
    Scotland and Aston Villa defender on Women's Football Weekly

    I think a lot of Chelsea players as well have been at the club long enough that they are ready for that [the quadruple], you see that in the way they play.

    Chelsea are different this time of year compared to the start.

    They are building a good run of form, Man City have been exceptional too and I think they will give them a good run in the league.

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  4. 'Pressure on Eidevall coming into this game'published at 14:48 British Summer Time 31 March

    Arsenal v Chelsea (15:00 BST)

    Fara Williams
    Former England midfielder on BBC Two

    I think Jonas Eidevall is under pressure coming into this one. A club as big as Arsenal, the history that they have, especially in the women's game.

    The trophy cabinet has been full for many years, they have a team that everybody knows, they have a massive fanbase who expect trophies. They won this trophy last season against Chelsea, but they haven't been able to go on and deliver further success.

    This is the only chance of silverware they have left this season.

  5. 'I'm going to enjoy today knowing it will be my last'published at 14:46 British Summer Time 31 March

    Arsenal v Chelsea (15:00 BST)

    Chelsea

    Chelsea manager Emma Haye speaking to BBC Sport: "We have to make those [six] changesz, we don't get the luxury of single game weeks from now until the end of the season.

    "Everybody is going to be called upon and we made changes midweek. It's about identifying the right strategy first and then selecting a squad - and that's what I've done today."

    On facing Jonas Eidevall: "We respect each other and I respect the job he's done with Arsenal and I for one am going to enjoy today knowing it's going to be my last."

  6. Head-to-head recordspublished at 14:44 British Summer Time 31 March

    Arsenal v Chelsea (15:00 BST)

    Chelsea and Arsenal have met nine times in all competitions since Jonas Eidevall became Gunners boss in 2021.

    The Blues have won four and Arsenal have won three.

  7. 'Arsenal will want to get their hands on the Conti Cup again'published at 14:42 British Summer Time 31 March

    Arsenal v Chelsea (15:00 BST)

    Marissa Thomas
    BBC Sport

    Arsenal win the 2023 Conti CupImage source, Getty Images

    Which manager do you think the final is more important for?

    Katie Chapman to BBC Sport: "I think it’s important for both, it’s a trophy isn’t it? To get a trophy under your belt, I think it’s important. For Arsenal this is the only trophy they can win this season so for them and for that reason and that it was theirs last season, I think they’re going to want to get their hands on it again.

    "For Chelsea, they’re in every competition. It’s hard for them, they’re rotating the squad as much as they can, they’ve got a lot of injuries. I think Emma [Hayes] has planned quite well going into this one. She rested players for the game [against Ajax] so I think they will be well prepared for it."

  8. 199 and counting for Arsenalpublished at 14:41 British Summer Time 31 March

    Arsenal v Chelsea (15:00 BST)

    Emma Smith
    BBC Sport at Molineux

    My favourite random stat I discovered while researching for today's match - Arsenal's next League Cup goal will be their 200th in the competition's history.

    Will it be a winner, or a consolation?

  9. 'You better show up from the off'published at 14:39 British Summer Time 31 March

    Arsenal v Chelsea (15:00 BST)

    .Image source, Getty Images

    Chelsea blew Arsenal away a fortnight ago, but they were completely outplayed at the Emirates earlier in the campaign.

    "You have to show up on the day, let's be clear. It's two top level teams," said Emma 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 Emirates game, it was over at half-time. 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."

  10. 'Tough' debut season for Russopublished at 14:37 British Summer Time 31 March

    Arsenal v Chelsea (15:00 BST)

    Emma Smith
    BBC Sport at Molineux

    Alessia RussoImage source, Getty Images

    It's a big day for Alessia Russo - not only can the Lioness win her first domestic trophy in English club football, but she can silence a few doubters amid what she admits has been a "tough" debut campaign for Arsenal.

    After months of speculation and a rejected world record bid in January 2023, the England striker moved to Arsenal from Manchester United on a free transfer in the summer.

    Russo, who has been one of the most recognisable names in English women's football since her starring role in the Euro 2022 triumph, has had a solid start to life at the Gunners with six goals in 16 WSL appearances this season.

    But Arsenal have underwhelmed this campaign and Russo has found herself out of the team for some of the biggest games.

    "I have learned a lot about myself as a player and as a person," the 25-year-old told BBC Sport.

    "It has been tough at times, but as a player at a new club you want to be able to contribute as much as you can, then you find your feet. But I have been loving it."

  11. 'Russo had a bug in the week'published at 14:36 British Summer Time 31 March

    Arsenal v Chelsea (15:00 BST)

    Arsenal

    Arsenal manager Jonas Eidevall speaking to BBC Sport: "The preparations have been going well, the players have been training and we are full of confidence."

    On Alessia Russo being on the bench: "I think this week here, Alessia has had a bug and not been able to train.

    "She has done a tremendous job being able to be available to in the squad today and she is felling much much better now.

    "As far as team selection, there is no smartness from me, it's just that one was available to start and the other one was not."

  12. Red and blue in the Wolves denpublished at 14:34 British Summer Time 31 March

    Arsenal v Chelsea (15:00 BST)

    Emma Smith
    BBC Sport at Molineux

    MolineuxImage source, Getty Images

    Welcome to Wolverhampton, where the vendors are selling scarves in the unfamiliar colours of red and blue.

    It's Arsenal v Chelsea - for the second successive season - and there are high hopes that Molineux will see a record Continental Cup crowd today.

    Last year's final at Selhurst Park was played in front of a competition record crowd of 19,010.

  13. 'I've always admired Little's technical ability on the ball'published at 14:32 British Summer Time 31 March

    Arsenal v Chelsea (15:00 BST)

    Marissa Thomas
    BBC Sport

    Arsenal win Conti Cup 2023Image source, Getty Images

    Which current Arsenal player do you wish you had played with?

    Anita Asante to BBC Sport: “Kim Little. We were just like sliding doors, missed each other. I’ve always admired her playing style, her creativity, her technical ability on the ball. She’s kind of like a conductor or a composer on the pitch, steering tempo and I think she’s just a lovely person as well off it.”

  14. The routes to the finalpublished at 14:29 British Summer Time 31 March

    Arsenal v Chelsea (15:00 BST)

    .Image source, Getty Images

    Arsenal's progress to the final saw them finish top in a group that also included Tottenham, Southampton, Bristol City and Reading.

    They overcame London City Lionesses in the last eight and Aston Villa in the semi-finals.

    Chelsea have only had to play two games to reach the final joining the competition in the quarter-final stage due to their involvement in the Women's Champions League.

    They beat Championship side Sunderland 5-0 at home, followed by a huge 1-0 away win at Manchester City..

  15. 'Hoping it’s going to be quite a feisty, interesting game'published at 14:27 British Summer Time 31 March

    Arsenal v Chelsea (15:00 BST)

    Marissa Thomas
    BBC Sport

    Arsenal win the 2023 Conti Cup FinalImage source, Getty Images

    Who do you think the Women's League Cup is more important for this season?

    Katie Chapman to BBC Sport: “It’s a hard one, I think for Chelsea they’re in every competition. A lot of fixtures in a small space of time. It’s not to say this is less important, it isn’t. It’s a trophy and I’m sure Emma [Hayes] will want to get this first one in the bag to give confidence leading forward from there.

    "For Arsenal, different conversation. They’ve not had a great season. This is the one that they’re looking for, they want a piece of silverware and I’m sure they’ll want to get their hands on this. They beat Chelsea last year in the same competition so I’m hoping it’s going to be quite a feisty, interesting game to be honest with you. It could go either way."

  16. Watch live on the BBCpublished at 14:24 British Summer Time 31 March

    Arsenal v Chelsea (15:00 BST)

    BBC Two

    You can watch this live game live on BBC Two with coverage starting at 14:30 GMT.

    Alex Scott is presenting with Ellen White, Anita Asante and Fara Williams all on punditry.

    Robyn Cowen and Rachel Brown-Finnis are on commentary duty.

    It's also available on the go with BBC iPlayer and there's live commentary BBC Radio 5 Sports Extra.

    Flo Pollock is on the mic, with Fern Whelan doing co-commentary.

  17. 'It will be totally different to what happened in the league game'published at 14:22 British Summer Time 31 March

    Arsenal v Chelsea (15:00 BST)

    Rachel Corsie
    Scotland and Aston Villa defender on Women's Football Weekly

    In some ways it can be the fuel, when you play teams so close you have to try use whatever happened in that game [Arsenal's 3-1 defeat by Chelsea] as fuel and energy in order to respond.

    I don’t think it’s a positive or negative. As an individual you need to take what you can out of that game and I am sure some Arsenal players will be hoping they are in that starting 11 to get the opportunity to maybe go out there and show a different performance.

    I watched that game and the biggest thing was Chelsea were more aggressive in the first 15-20 minutes.

    Arsenal are used to being comfortable. Chelsea thought they could amongst that early on and then Arsenal found it hard to get back into the game with a Chelsea team that have a desire to win at all costs.

    It’s a final and I think it will be totally different to what happened in the league game.

    Listen to Women's Football Weekly on BBC Sounds

  18. Postpublished at 14:20 British Summer Time 31 March

    Arsenal v Chelsea (15:00 BST)

    Emma Smith
    BBC Sport at Molineux

    I'm a big fan of the programme cover for today's game. Credit to Millie Chesters for the design.

    Arsenal Chelsea programme coverImage source, Millie Chesters
  19. 'No mental obstacle for Arsenal'published at 14:18 British Summer Time 31 March

    Arsenal v Chelsea (15:00 BST)

    .Image source, Getty Images

    Jonas Eidevall insists there is no "mental obstacle" for Arsenal after they were blown away by Chelsea at Stamford Bridge two weeks ago.

    However, the Gunners beat Chelsea 4-1 at home earlier in the season and they bounced back from an FA Cup defeat by Chelsea to win the League Cup seven days later when the teams met last season.

    "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.

    "It's about it coming down to the best team on the day and preparation plays a huge part in that and that's what we've focused on."

  20. 'I feel very privileged to have lifted the Conti Cup trophy'published at 14:16 British Summer Time 31 March

    Arsenal v Chelsea (15:00 BST)

    Marissa Thomas
    BBC Sport

    At the start of every season, how big was the Women's League Cup final in your thoughts as a major trophy to win?

    Anita Asante told BBC Sport: “It was for both myself and Katie [Chapman], being fortunate enough to compete in the Conti Cup or any competition where you’re going for a trophy, you put all your efforts and your focus in that and you focus on each one individually.

    "I don’t think we ever looked too far ahead. You’ve got to get the job done by knocking teams out to get to a final in the first place and all I can say is that I feel very privileged that I’ve had the opportunity to experience that and lift the trophy and win it with my former clubs and my team-mates.”