Ludlow hopes for Arsenal high

UEFA Women's Cup finalists Arsenal LFC are hoping to secure four major trophies between now and the end of the season, and the first could come on Sunday when they play Leeds United LFC for the FA Women's Premier League Cup in Scunthorpe.

'Raring to go'
Arsenal are meeting a team they defeated 5-0 to lift last year's FA Women's Cup, but in the League Cup they suffered a rare loss to Charlton Athletic WFC. The Gunners have not been beaten since, and have a perfect record in domestic competition in 2006/07. Jayne Ludlow - stand-in captain due to the injury absence of Faye White - is hoping to start reaping the rewards of that form. "We're raring to go," Ludlow told uefa.com. "The girls are all looking forward to it. We've done the hard work to get to the final, one more step and hopefully we can lift the silverware."

Leeds improvement
Ludlow's side are yet to face second-placed Leeds in the league, in which Arsenal have won all their eleven games for an eight-point lead, but despite the score in that previous encounter, the midfielder denies complacency could be a factor. "To be honest, it is a different team we will face on Sunday, different players," Ludlow said. "I'm sure they will be better equipped than last May."

European encounter
Arsenal's next final will be the first leg of the UEFA Women's Cup decider at Umeå IK on 21 April, and Ludlow has enjoyed the run. "To be honest, every year we know we have a good chance," she said. "Things just came together so well for us this year. We had a good draw and we played a lot better in Europe than we have in the past. We can't wait for that final!"

Captaincy
White could be back for that two-legged tie, but on Sunday Ludlow will have the honour of collecting the trophy if Arsenal prevail. The role of captain is one she has relished, despite the circumstances that led to her taking the armband. "To be honest, I've enjoyed every minute," she said. "I enjoy playing with these girls every year, so that has not really changed. They've helped me out with aspects of the captaincy, and defensively [despite centre-back White's unavailability] we've done brilliantly and found a few new gems who can play at the back. At the start of the season we were unsure but they've proved so many people wrong. It's been a great factor for us."

White warning
As for the regular skipper, Ludlow added: "Faye is back training soon. I imagine she'll start playing games in mid-April - it all depends how she copes with them." White will nonetheless be cheering her club-mates on in Scunthorpe, and knows that last season's final defeat will further motivate Vic Akers' team. "We missed out then - I'm sure Vic will remind the girls of that. I certainly remember that day," White said.