Women's Football / Alsy / 05 May 2008 / Leave a comment

Morgan in the Driving Seat - Allsy previews today's lunchtime kick-off as Arsenal Ladies take on Leeds Ladies in the FA Cup final and tells us why a Leeds win would be an incredible upset...

Earlier in the season I witnessed something quite unusual in the sport of women's football. Watching Arsenal play Everton in the Premier League Cup final, the favourites Arsenal Ladies, actually lost a game to English opposition. I can assure you that this occurrence is rarer than a traffic warden letting you off when your meter expires. Football fans know about Arsene Wenger's Invincibles but they pale in comparison to the Arsenal Ladies team marshelled by Vic Akers.

He started the team in 1987 and has probably created the most dominant team of any sport in the UK. If it sounds like I'm over-egging things consider this: in the last three seasons Arsenal ladies have dropped just two Premier League points (drawing to Everton at home) winning 51 out of 52 games so far. Along the way they banged in 252 goals and conceded a miserly 31. Last season they secured an unprecedented 'quadruple' of trophies; the Uefa Cup, Premier League, FA Cup and Premier League Cup.

It was little surprise that Arsenal were hot favourites to beat Everton in the League Cup last February but amazingly Mo Marley's side won 1-0 in a compelling contest played out in front of 5,000 at Lleyton Orient's Matchroom Stadium.

At Monday lunchtime Arsenal look to return to winning ways and secure their ninth FA Cup against Leeds United LFC at the City Ground, Nottingham. It was always unlikely that they could emulate their record-breaking efforts from last year but they do have the second half of a Premier League and FA Cup double to play for.

Arsenal are [1.27] to win reflecting their formidable record when domestic silverware is at stake. Two years ago they beat Leeds 5-0 in the final but they will not expect such an easy win this time. While it's true that Arsenal continue to set the bar in women's football, the veneer of invincibility seems to be fading slightly.

There are a small clutch of teams, led by Everton Ladies, who can be relied upon to give Arsenal a run for their money. For their part Leeds narrowly lost 1-0 to Arsenal in last year's Premier League Cup final with Arsenal requiring a late winner for victory.

Leeds are [8] to win with the draw at [4.4]. These odds may look tempting but I don't rate Leeds as highly as Everton and just can't see an upset against Arsenal's fantastic defence marshalled by Faye White and Mary Phillip.

Everton have recruited heavily and can boast Evans, Hill and the titan pairing of Dowie and Williams through the centre. Leeds have plenty of talent but not so much experience where it really counts.

Defenders like Sophie Bradley and Gemma Bonner may well develop into England regulars but Arsenal's Kelly Smith (in my opinion the world's best player) gives defenders little time to do anything but watch her run rings around them.

Leeds can look to skipper Jess Wright and England regular, Sue Smith, for experience and inspiration - they will try to frustrate the holders and hope to spring a surprise on the break.
I don't expect a landslide but I do think Arsenal will win by a couple of goals. Leeds do have the talent to spring a surprise but it will require a shocking loss of form from a team whose biggest weakness is the constant pressure to win every game.

Arsenal's superiority on the pitch reflects the strength of their behind-the-scenes set up. As a club they remain strictly amateur but Akers (whose paying job is as kit man for Arsenal's men team) and his team have developed a support system that is the envy of the women's game in the UK.

It's good news for the sport that teams like Leeds and Everton continue to close the gap but it's hard to see anything but another win at the City Ground for Arsenal's real Invincibles.

Tags: Arsenal Ladies, Faye White, Kelly Smith, Women's FA Cup betting