Jonas Eidevall believes Australian winger Caitlin Foord has shown herself to be a "key player" for his Arsenal side ahead of the season run-in.
Arsenal's forward line have struggled to cope with the loss of Beth Mead and Viv Miedema in recent months, their absence hitting home in a goalless draw with West Ham last month that saw the Gunners drop crucial points in the race for the title. But Foord and central striker Stina Blackstenius were both excellent in a win over Chelsea on Sunday.
Arsenal secured the first silverware of the domestic season, when beating the Blues 3-1 at Selhurst Park in the League Conti Cup final and now return to WSL action only days later when hosting Liverpool, looking to maintain their title challenge. The Conti Cup success was the first winners medal at Arsenal for both Foord and Eidevall, with the Gunners reserving praise for his forward, who repeatedly stretched Chelsea's wide defenders all afternoon.
“Caitlin is a key player for us in all aspects of the game," said Eidevall. "Of course it is a team effort but she has a very big role, when we have been successful on our left side in recent big games.
“My hope was that whenever the transfer window closes, there is no point in discussing what you don’t have. It’s more about discussing what you have and she is definitely a player that deserves to be in the spotlight for the performances that she has been making.”
Despite the high of Sunday's victory over their fierce rivals Eidevall said his Arsenal side would be wary of facing Liverpool, who are travelling to North London having not played since before the international break.
"No one really knows what Liverpool are capable of," said Eidevall. "It is a game with a lot of unknowns. They haven't been playing games, it is a strange situation because during this period we have played a lot of games.
"They have had a lot of time to prepare for this game, so we need to focus on the key details. We know they'll be well-organised and physical so we need to do the basics right to have any chance of getting the result we want."
When captain Kim Little and Leah Williamson lifted the Conti Cup it marked, not only the first trophy Arsenal have won since the league in 2019, but the maiden major trophy of Eidevall's reign. But the Swede insisted that he won't dwell on the success and is fully focused on finishing the season strongly.
"I don't stay in the past very long," added Eidevall. "Because I don't think that helps you have success in the future. No matter if we win or lose, I know my job is to get the team focused for the next match.
"Therefore we need to prepare and always think ahead. I keep the memory (of winning the trophy) with me, but I think that's more of an internal process.
"The feeling you have after full-time when you win something, it is a very fleeting moment."
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