Chapman's pride

Katie Chapman said it was an honour to lift The FA Women’s Cup as captain of Arsenal.

A first-half goal apiece for Scottish pair Kim Little and Julie Fleeting gave the Gunners a 2-0 victory over Bristol Academy in Saturday’s Final and Chapman revealed her delight at the north Londoners eleventh Cup triumph.

“It was nice to go out there and win [The Cup] again,” she said after the game.

“It was a great honour to go out there as captain and to have Harvey [Chapman’s son] as a mascot as well. [The captaincy] been passed on to me and I’m just privileged that they feel I can be their captain and bring them forward.”

Following injuries to Faye White and Jayne Ludlow, Chapman, who recently had a spell in America with Chicago Red Stars, was handed the armband by Arsenal boss Laura Harvey and the 28-year-old midfielder has led by example, scoring in the 2-0 Fifth Round win over last season’s Cup winners Everton.

She has also helped them to second place in The FA WSL at the League’s halfway point, and says she is enjoying being back in Boreham Wood.

“It’s great to be back with the girls,” said Chapman. “They have made me feel so welcome since I came back from America and to come in and captain the side is just fantastic.

“I love playing for Arsenal, I love being at the club. My spell away was great, but to come back and be playing as part of this team is fantastic.”