Ludlow's will to win

Everton v Arsenal
The FA Tesco Women's Premier League Cup Final
7.35pm, Thursday 28 February 2008
Matchroom Stadium, Leyton Orient FC
Live on Sky Sports

Despite going the entire season unbeaten and winning the quadruple in 2007, Jayne Ludlow says that Arsenal's desire is greater than ever to achieve more success.

With Faye White injured for the majority of last season, Ludlow captained Arsenal on their way to European glory and a domestic clean sweep, and is keen to keep on winning.

"I'm still as competitive as ever, and the rest of the girls will say the same," Ludlow admitted.

"The reason our squad has been so successful in recent years is because we have so many competitive individuals who want to go out there and achieve, and I don't think that having more trophies on the shelf will change that.

"In a way it has been harder for us this season and perhaps some of the girls could do with a rest. It was a big year for us last term, both physically and emotionally, and with most of the England girls going straight into the World Cup in China, and then straight back into the season here in October - it's difficult. But we're determined to keep going."

Ludlow is also quick to praise Arsenal's opponents in the final, who like the Gunners have been playing catch up with fixtures since the World Cup. Ludlow explained: "All the teams in our league are getting stronger, especially Everton. They are getting fitter and have better technical ability.

"At the start of the season we envisaged that Everton would be hot on our heels and it has panned out that way. If you look at our results we're probably the best two sides in the country so it should be a great final."

Looking back on some of the finals she has played in, Ludlow highlights The FA Women's Cup Final last year at Nottingham Forest as a special highlight. Scoring twice in front of a record crowd of 24,529, Ludlow led the Gunners to the final part of their four trophy haul.

"It was one of the best days of my career. Playing well in a Cup Final is fantastic because you will sometimes get there and for whatever reason you don't perform. On a personal note I enjoyed the game immensely, and from a team perspective it was a great game.

"From minute one we started playing the ball around and although we let them in for the first goal, everything else went perfectly and it summed up the season for us."