Edward Payne

The mixed zone might of been cold in the aftermath of Arsenal’s 3-1 Conti Cup Final Victory over Chelsea at Selhurst Park, but the praise was red hot for Scotland International Kim Little who was voted Player of the Match and was instrumental in helping Arsenal win their first trophy in four years.

The Arsenal number 10 scored her side's second goal of their 3-1 win, confidently sending Ann Katrin-Berger the wrong way from the penalty spot after Katie McCabe had been fouled in the area. Little was inevitable winning duels, dictating the tempo and controlling the game and teammates, Lia Walti and Rafaelle Souza were quick to sing to her praises following the clash, 

“I think Kim is one of the most underrated players in the world.”

Lia Walti, Conti Cup Final 2023

Walti lauded Little's defensive and attacking ability along with her calmness on the ball, “I’ve played alongside her for a few years, you can depend on her, it’s fun to play with her”.

Souza reiterated, “it’s so much easier to play with a player like Kim on the pitch, she makes it so much easier for us in the defensive line, I’m really grateful to player with her and all the other girls."

Given the wider context of the match, this was Arsenal’s first trophy since 2019, with Souza adding that going in to half time two goals ahead “felt great”. 

Walti spoke about whole team adding, “[we] are just so happy to have a trophy again, we have been working so hard for it and it’s always just been that little bit missing, so tonight is our nought to just enjoy it, It give us a lot of confidence, finally today we showed on the pitch what we are capable of." 

With the attendance today of 19,010, a record for the FA Women’s Continental League Cup Final, Walti heaped praise on the Arsenal fans, who certainly seemed to outnumber their Chelsea counterparts throughout the ninety,

"I could only hear the Arsenal fans! We could hear them all game long and it pushes us on the field.

"When we celebrated with them at the end with the trophy, those are moments we don’t get every week, so we need to enjoy it.”