Jonas Eidevall has given his opinion on Arsenal women playing at the Emirates permanently following another memorable night at the stadium.
Manager Eidevall watched his team beat Bayern Munich 2-0 to book a place in the women's Champions League last four on Wednesday, with Arsenal roared on by a superb atmosphere around the North London arena. 21,307 watched the Gunners' quarter-final second leg, a record for an English club in this competition.
Arsenal have played every game in Europe this season at the Emirates and have played three WSL fixtures there - against Spurs, Man Utd and Chelsea, with derby setting a new league attendance record of 47,367. Following the Bayern win, Eidevall was asked if the title contenders could one day play every home game at the 60,000-seater.
"That is fundamental for creating these moments with our supporters," he said. "But to give supporters the chance to experience the team live.
"It’s fundamental that we get to play here so often but also that the supporters get to experience it with us, it helps us to do this tonight.
"We want to continue to push and I get the sense that history is being created in front of our eyes when I see how the attendance and the culture is here at the Emirates Stadium.
"Five years ago if someone had said that Arsenal’s long-term plan is to move to the Emirates Stadium people would ask, 'how can that happen?' Now I think people understand that that might be realistic for the future."
Currently only Leicester and Reading in the WSL play every home game at the same stadium as their men's counterparts. Arsenal are expected to return to the Emirates for their Champions League semi-final second leg with Wolfsburg next month, but the final date is still yet to be confirmed.
Following his most recent success, Eidevall also stated in his press conference that he had spoken with the club's technical director and former midfielder Edu after the full-time whistle against Bayern, praising the current culture around the club.
"I got a very nice message from Edu after the game," Eidevall added. "The support from the whole club is magnificent.
"They talk a lot in Arsenal about acting with class but when you are inside the organisation you really understand the meaning of those words.
"It is not just something that is written on a wall. It is something ingrained in top management and it spreads down. That communication and belief from them is amazing."
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