Gunning for Final glory

26/04/2010 12:10:16

Arsenal defender Gilly Flaherty has vowed to use what she feels is unjust criticism aimed at the Gunners as extra motivation to help her side to FA Women’s Cup glory on Bank Holiday Monday.

Arsenal take on Everton in next week’s showpiece at The City Ground and after the departures of some key players last season, as well as the much heralded manager Vic Akers, Flaherty believes their run to The Final has proved they still have enough quality to compete for silverware.

“There's been a lot of hype about us not being good enough but that's just made us even more determined to prove everyone wrong,” said Flaherty.

“Last year we've proved that we've got one of the best team spirits going and we've proved it again in the big games against Everton and Leeds in the League and we're in another Cup Final as well. We keep quiet, we don't come out and say 'we're going to beat this team', but I think we've showed on the pitch that we're still one of the best teams in the country. Fingers crossed everything will work out and we'll do the double again this year.”

Still one of the youngest players at the club, Flaherty has been at Arsenal for almost seven years and has worked her way into the starting eleven in the last couple of seasons. She was an unused substitute in the 2008 Final when Arsenal beat Leeds United (now Leeds Carnegie) 4-1, but she made her maiden Cup Final appearance against Sunderland last season as the Gunners triumphed 2-1 at Pride Park.

“Last year was a big occasion for me because it was the first Final that I started in, but we're here again and I'm really looking forward to it,” revealed Flaherty.

"I've played in a lot of big games both with the England U19s and Arsenal and I think that big game experience will help me. In big games you need your big players to turn up and we've got quite a few of them at Arsenal and that helps with your confidence too.”

Despite her tender years Flaherty is rapidly gaining experience and is capable of playing across the back four. Her performances have earned her a number of first-team appearances this season and she says she is determined to enjoy The Final.

"This season I've enjoyed every game, but winning big games and obviously Cup Finals makes it all the more enjoyable. You try and enjoy the build up and if you win it you'll be happy, but once the whistle goes you've just got to focus and try and enjoy the game.

"I suppose in the past couple of years we've developed a bit of a rivalry with Everton. They are one of the top teams in the League, and beating a big team like that in a Final will make it a lot sweeter."