Emma Hayes: Chelsea prepped for 'cracker' against Arsenal
By Emily Keogh
Emma Hayes has called on fans to bring the atmosphere to Kingsmeadow ahead of Chelsea's WSL London derby against 'fantastic' Arsenal.
Chelsea, back to the top of the table, host Arsenal in their penultimate WSL game as the title race draws to a close. Going down to the final day, the Blues need to secure a win and all three points to seal their win, while Arsenal are vying to keep a place in the Champions League in contention.
The two sides have met three times previously in this campaign across all competitions, with both winning, losing and drawing a game.
"I think it's fair to say I don't think we've performed at our best against Arsenal, particularly in the last game," Hayes said, reflecting on the last meeting of the two sides where Arsenal clinched the Conti Cup trophy after a 3-1 win.
"I think Arsenal have shown their spirit, their qualities, even with their injuries. They are a top team. They're deserving of all of the good stories that have come their way," the Chelsea boss added.
"I think they've been a fantastic team this year, and they've shown that through adversity, they can cope, and they have players that can step up, and I know Jonas [Eidevall] will probably be proud of his team for that reason so I think it'll be a cracker, two top teams on the show. And I hope the sun's out half 12."
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Chelsea are coming off a string of wins ahead of this clash, winning their last three WSL games with comfortable margins and maintaining clean sheets, while also sealing a narrow 1-0 victory over Manchester United to retain their Vitality Women's FA Cup Trophy.
A point of topic in discussion across the women's game has been the sheer increase in matches, congested seasons sandwiched by back-to-back summer tournaments - a packed schedule that Hayes believes is poses an incredible challenge.
"The hardest part is the games accumulation," Hayes said. "It isn't the race per se, because there was a period where we didn't play a league game for a month.
"I think we had something like, I think, 24 games this half of the season. Next year the schedule will have us playing 27 games in the second half of the season and more in the first half because it'll be a shorter season."
"It's just playing so many games that becomes the challenging part."
Speaking on the importance of the game, Hayes called on the sold-out crowd to create the atmosphere that can help spur her side on to get over the line as a win would place them in the driving seat to finish the title race as league leaders.
"Atmosphere. I want an atmosphere," the Manager of Year nominee said.
"I love Kingsmeadow. I know I advocate going to Stamford Bridge, but I love Kingsmeadow. Nothing beats an atmosphere where fans are close to the stadium and close to the pitch and perform for them.
"I know our fans are capable of that and we certainly need them on Sunday."