Arsenal midfielder Lia Walti believes Sunday's Conti Cup Final triumph over Chelsea will give the Gunners a huge confidence boost for the rest of the season.
It was a nightmare start for Jonas Eidevall's side at Selhurst Park on Sunday, with Sam Kerr rising to meet a sumptuous Guro Reiten delivery and nodding home to put Chelsea in front inside two minutes. But Arsenal rallied quickly, with striker Stina Blackstenius restoring parity inside 16 minutes before Kim Little coolly dispatched her penalty to give the Gunners the lead.
A Niamh Charles own goal on the stroke of half-time gave Arsenal some breathing space heading into the second half, with some smart goalkeeping from Manuela Zinsberger denying Chelsea a route back into the game after the break. It was a display that yielded Arsenal's first trophy in almost four years: a feat Walti believes has been a long time coming.
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"We waited a long time to beat Chelsea in a final so its amazing," the Switzerland international said post-match. "We’re so happy to finally have a trophy again. We’ve been working so hard for it and there was always just a little bit missing but tonight was our night.
"It means so much. I think it gives us a lot of confidence. I think we always believe we’re able to win trophies but there was always a little bit missing. Finally today we could put on the pitch what we are capable of which was amazing to see."
While it was a superb team performance from Eidevall's side, captain Kim Little deservedly earned most of the plaudits for her industry and flair in the middle of the park. And Walti insists the Scot deserves more recognition for her remarkable consistency in Arsenal's midfield.
"I think Kim is one of the most underrated players in the world," she said. "In my opinion she should be always in the top three of the world.
"She’s been so consistent throughout her whole career. Good defensively, good attacking wise. She gives the team such a good balance and calmness on the ball.
"She doesn’t lose a single 1v1. She’s just an incredible player and we’re so pleased to have her in our team."
More than 19,000 fans were in attendance at Sunday's showpiece event in south London, which is more than double the record set at last year's Final between Chelsea and Manchester City.
Reflecting on the impact the crowd had on the game, Walti said: "It was incredible. Even when we conceded really early in the game. I could hear them all game long and it pushes you on the field because you have the fans behind your back.
"Even at the end when we celebrated with them with the trophy, it was incredible. It's moments like that we need to enjoy and moments we don’t have every week."
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