Jonas Eidevall 'really hoping' for a favour from Man Utd on dramatic WSL final day

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Arsenal manager Jonas Eidevall is praying that Manchester United upset Chelsea on the final day of the WSL season, which is the only way the Gunners will secure their first league title since 2019.

Arsenal trail Chelsea, who are chasing a third consecutive championship, by one point in the standings going into the final weekend of the 2021/22 campaign.

But victory over West Ham in their own final fixture will not be enough unless Manchester United can take any points off Chelsea, something the Red Devils have never done before.

“I really, really hope that Manchester United can win, of course I do. I would lie by saying anything else,” Eidevall said ahead of Sunday’s crunch matches.

“I really hope Manchester United can finish off in a style that their season deserves, I think they have been a really, really top team this season and they've proved difficult for many teams so I hope they can prove that one final time this season.”

United boss Marc Skinner is not hiding from the fact that Chelsea are firm favourites ahead of the game at Kingsmeadow, although he still expects a really good display from his own team as their battle with Manchester City for the final Champions League place is still not fully over.

“Chelsea are going into this game as favourites. They’re at home and they need to win to the title, let’s be very clear about that,” Skinner said.

“But what it shows my time is, not only do we have nothing to lose and everything to gain – of course we want to get three points and go toe to toe with the best teams in this country.

“We know the challenge we face, we know how good they can be, but what a wonderful way to finish the season for us. We are so much looking forward to going into that game and giving the very best account of ourselves against the best team in this country.

“Of course we’d like to ruin it but not through any sadistic way of trying to ruin it for Chelsea – that’s not important to us. We’ve always focused on us, I think it’s more important to win it for us, not to know Chelsea off their perch. Arsenal are pushing them all the way and I know that they’re fighting for something, but we’re fighting for something different with Manchester City.”

Chelsea boss Emma Hayes is also well aware that Manchester United will be no pushovers on Sunday, suggesting that Skinner and namesake Rehanne Skinner deserve exceptional credit for the jobs they have done at United and Tottenham respectively this season.

“I know Marc's done a great job,” Hayes said. “I think him and Rehanne Skinner have been the best managers in the league this year, I think they've been amazing for their teams.”

The Huracan Foundations' 'Keep girls in school in 2022' aims to improve opportunities for girls and reduce gender inequalities.

The global pandemic exacerbated gender inequality issues in a number of countries, and that is why in 2022 four new project leads are focused on using football to make a real difference to girls' lives in remote communities across Uganda and India. To find out more click here.

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