19th August, 2019. Meadow Park.
Arsenal 3 (McCabe 12,80), Mead (44) West Ham United Women 1 (Visalli 48)
Arsenal began their Conti Cup campaign in the group phase fixture against West Ham on a balmy August day at Boreham Wood. Two Katie McCabe goals helped the Gunners to a 3-1 win over Matt Beard’s newly formed West Ham team. Showing the sort of tactical flexibility and rotation of position that would become Montemurro’s managerial hall mark, Katie McCabe scored two goals from a false 9 position.
The Irish international gave Arsenal the lead by following up on a rebounded shot while Beth Mead, a centre forward converted into a wide forward, made it 2-0 before half-time. Brianna Visalli got one back for West Ham before McCabe’s spin and shot on the edge of the area secured the three points.
Arseblog News post-match reaction with Katie McCabe.
16th September, 2018. The Dripping Pan.
Lewes Women 0 Arsenal 9 (Van de Donk 6, Miedema 21, 27, 60, McCabe 26, Little 37[pen], 45 [pen],68, Evans 59)
The Gunners took on Championship side Lewes on the south coast in September and ran out convincing 9-0 winners, with Kim Little and Vivianne Miedema helping themselves to hat tricks. Arsenal had registered 9 with 22 minutes left but could not inflict the double digit defeat they subjected Spurs to in March 2017. Lisa Evans, Katie McCabe and Danielle van de Donk completed the scoring.
Arseblog News post-match reaction with Dominique Bloodworth.
5th December, 2018. Meadow Park.
Arsenal 5 (Miedema 6,74, McCabe 29,78, Ritchie 58 og) Charlton Athletic Women 0
Arsenal needed only 1 point to guarantee qualification for the knockout phase, but put Championship Charlton to the sword with a clinical display on a freezing night in Hertfordshire. Two further goals for Vivianne Miedema and Katie McCabe and an own goal from a Beth Mead corner gave Montemurro’s side a convincing victory.
Highlights available at this link.
12th December, 2018. Princes Park.
Millwall Lionesses 1 (Ravenscroft 32) Arsenal 3 Miedema 55, Grant 56, Williamson 60)
On a night when Arsenal fielded 8 graduates from their academy, it was an Arsenal academy product that gave Millwall a shock half time lead. Gabby Ravenscroft, who left the club for Millwall in July, capitalised on a misunderstanding between van Veenendaal and Wälti to give the winless Championship side the lead. But 3 goals in 5 second half minutes ensured the Gunners’ perfect record in the groups was maintained. Vivianne Miedema and then academy products Ruby Grant and Leah Williamson completed the scoring.
?? @VivianneMiedema's 20th goal of the season ?#WeAreTheArsenal pic.twitter.com/AAwsuLKxeV
— Arsenal Women (@ArsenalWFC) December 17, 2018
Take a bow, @Rubyjaynegrant ?
What a way to score your first goal for the club ?#WeAreTheArsenal pic.twitter.com/OVaznbmQX8
— Arsenal Women (@ArsenalWFC) December 13, 2018
Arseblog News post-match reaction from Joe Montemurro.
9th January, 2019. Meadow Park.
Arsenal 2 (van de Donk 83, Miedema 90+1) Birmingham City Women 1 (Quinn 61)
In their most breathless encounter of the competition so far, the Gunners toppled Lee Skinner’s Birmingham side with two goals in the final minutes from Danielle van de Donk and a last gasp winner from Vivianne Miedema. Birmingham had taken a 61st minute lead through Lucy Quinn, having restricted Arsenal to very few chances. But the away side eventually tired and van de Donk and Miedema broke Brum hearts with late strikes. Miedema’s winner came via a sensational through ball from Katie McCabe.
?? @DanielleDonk, our flying Dutchwoman ?#ContiCup pic.twitter.com/njho0PrsdP
— Arsenal Women (@ArsenalWFC) January 10, 2019
⏱ It’s the 90th minute…
? It’s Arsenal 1-1 Birmingham…
? A place in the semi-finals at stake…Step forward, @VivianneMiedema ? #ContiCup pic.twitter.com/EQ0y7OYvWn
— Arsenal Women (@ArsenalWFC) January 10, 2019
Arseblog News post-match reaction from Katie McCabe.
7th February, 2019. Meadow Park.
Arsenal 2 (Miedema 18,60) Manchester United Women 1 (Green 83)
Arsenal qualified for the final by defeating Casey Stoney’s Manchester United in the first ever meeting between the sides. Vivianne Miedema put the Gunners 1-0 up after an outstanding through ball from her compatriot Dominque Bloodworth. She added a second on 60 minutes as the Gunners took control. A consolation from Molly Green set up a nervous finale against the run of play, but Arsenal held on to qualify for a 5th Conti Cup Final in 7 years.
Served on a ? by @DomBloodworth…
Finished with ease by @VivianneMiedema!!!
Read about @ArsenalWFC's #ContiCup win over Man Utd here ? https://t.co/IQJ2g9rCs0 pic.twitter.com/VM9tUdki9h
— The FA Women's Super League (@FAWSL) February 8, 2019
Composure level ? from @VivianneMiedema ?
We love this, thanks @johnjosullivan_ ? pic.twitter.com/aXRg4wjKux
— Arsenal Women (@ArsenalWFC) February 10, 2019
Arseblog News post-match reaction from Beth Mead.
Now the Gunners face Manchester City, in a repeat of last year’s final, at Bramall Lane. The match kicks off at 1215pm and will be shown live on BT Sport.
? The 2019 #ContiCup Final
?? @ArsenalWFC v @ManCity
⌚️ 12.15pm Saturday 23 FebBook your tickets now! ? https://t.co/x5YSK1TIHOpic.twitter.com/YrrvOoNazx
— The FA Women's Super League (@FAWSL) February 12, 2019
Miedema should be allowed to start with Auba and Lava as we play a proper 4-3-3
*Laca