Emma Smith
BBC Sport at Molineux

Full marks to the media team working at Molineux today, who have provided a free easter egg for every journalist covering this match today.

Extra marks to the press officer who had to withstand the strange looks while buying 100 chocolate eggs at her local supermarket.

Image source, Rex Features

It's a final showdown between Jonas Eidevall and Emma Hayes today.

While the battle between the clubs has been intense, the clashes between the managers have added spice to the English game.

"I've really enjoyed the games from a from a challenge perspective. But, rivalries in elite football will continue," said Eidevall.

"I really look forward to the time where me and Emma are not on opposing sides.

"It will be really interesting to have football discussions with her and get her perspective on things."

Image source, Getty Images

"I don't see him outside of the games we have, but we always have good communication, off camera or in the background," said Hayes.

"We're always talking about different things, and yes I think when you play the top teams they're always good battles.

"I've enjoyed my time playing against Arsenal in general and I like the rivalry. It's fun for the women's game. It's been a fun rivalry.

"But that's probably on-camera. Off-camera we respect each other, and I'm sure we'll have good communication.

"At some point, he's going to have one of my players, so you know, there will be a happy ending there."

Marissa Thomas
BBC Sport

How beneficial do you think it is that the Women's League Cup final is in different locations?

Anita Asante to BBC Sport: “I think ultimately, it just brings it again to a wider audience across the country and we’re seeing the growth of the game from youth level, grassroots, all the way through to professional level where girls just want to play.

"They want access. They’re getting involved, they’re supporting their local teams, it’s helped having clubs like [Aston] Villa as well in the WSL [Women’s Super League], the top tier. That’s having impact. It’s that greater visibility."

Emma Smith
BBC Sport at Molineux

Chelsea's players are talking about winning a quadruple this season - but their focus is always on the next game, says defender Ashley Lawrence.

The Blues have won the Women's Super League in each of the past four seasons and the FA Cup in the previous three - but could go even further this time.

Emma Hayes' side previously clinched a domestic treble in 2020-21, while in 2007 the Gunners lifted the league, FA Cup and Uefa Women's Cup - as well as the FA Women's Premier League Cup and Community Shield.

And Lawrence says Chelsea are taking nothing for granted in their quest for the quadruple.

"It's always there, we talk about it," she told BBC Sport.

"But our focus is on day by day. We work towards the next game, but we are excited to be in this position.

"We are aware of the four trophies, Emma and the players who have been here a while know what it takes to win.

"It's always there, but not the main focus."

Both teams come into the game off the back of wins in the WSL, while Chelsea booked their place in the Women's Champions League semi-finals with a 1-1 draw with Ajax on Wednesday, completing a 4-1 win on aggregate.

Emma Smith
BBC Sport at Molineux

There is just one change to the Arsenal XI which started their 3-1 win at Aston Villa in the WSL last week.

Stina Blackstenius leads the line, with Alessia Russo dropping to the bench.

Arsenal XI: Zinsberger; Fox, Williamson, Wubben-Moy, McCabe; Little, Pelova; Mead, Maanum, Lacasse; Blackstenius.

Subs: D'Angelo, Williams, Catley, Foord, Russo, Wienroither, Codina, Cooney-Cross, Lia

Emma Hayes has rung the changes from the Chelsea team which drew against Ajax in the Champions League midweek, with six alterations to the line-up.

Hannah Hampton starts in goal, while Niamh Charles captains the side.

Melanie Leupolz and Sjoeke Nusken come into midfield, while Lauren James and Johanna Rytting-Kaneryd start on the wings.

Chelsea XI: Hampton; Perisset, Carter, Buchanan, Charles; Cuthbert, Leupolz, Nusken; James, Ramirez, Rytting-Kaneryd.

Subs: Berger, Musovic, Ingle, Macario, Reiten, Lawrence, Kirby, Hamano, Beever-Jones

Marissa Thomas
BBC Sport

Earlier this week I did a sit down interview with former England internationals Anita Asante and Katie Chapman.

Here are some of the best bits from it as they previewed this afternoon's Women's League Cup final.

On the attendance record being broken with 24,000 tickets issued and how this is helping to grow the women's game:

Katie Chapman told BBC Sport: “I think it’s massive to grow the women’s game. You’ve seen, certainly over the last year, the attendance to women’s games just go up and up and up.

"That’s evident of work put in behind the scenes to help promote the women’s game, the standard of the game and the quality of the football on the pitch.

"I think we’re turning heads, changing the concept that women’s football is no good. People are actually paying to come and watch."

This is Arsenal's last realistic chance of silverware this season with Jonas Eidevall's side nine points adrift of league leaders Manchester City and six behind second-placed Chelsea in the Women's Super League with five games remaining.

Chelsea, meanwhile, are chasing a quadruple. As well as hoping to win the WSL title, they are in the semi-finals of the Women's Champions League and the Women's FA Cup.

But suggestions that this cup final may mean more to Arsenal because it's their last possibility to win silverware, were shot down by Hayes.

"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 the final in terms of showing up and showing ourselves.

"I don't care if it's important to them, it absolutely is important to me."

Image source, Getty Images

It's cup final day!

The first piece of silverware is up for grabs as Arsenal take on Chelsea at Molineux in the Women's League Cup final.

It's a repeat of last year's final at Selhurst Park which ended 3-1 to Arsenal - their first trophy in four years.

It remains the only piece of silverware the club have won under manager Jonas Eidevall and could be their last hope this season.

Arsenal are the record holders in this competition having won it six times, while this is Chelsea's fifth successive final appearance.

The Blues have won the trophy on two previous occasions in 2020 and 2021 but have lost their last two finals.

In Emma Hayes' final season at the club, can they deliver another one and beat their rivals in the process?