Arsenal v Everton
The FA Women's Community Shield
Gresty Road, Crewe Alexandra
8.05pm, 02 August 2006
Live on Sky Sports

The start of the Women’s football season is getting ever closer and the Community Shield encounter between Everton and Arsenal tonight is highly anticipated by players and fans alike.

The two best teams in the country are set to meet at Crewe Alexandra’s Gresty Road ground in the season curtain raiser with Everton wanting to show their rivals and the watching public they can challenge on all fronts this season.

The Toffee’s finished runners up to Arsenal last season in the title race, which was an improvement on the previous season when they finished third.

Blues defender Rachel Unitt is really looking forward to the new season, and the showpiece tie against the Gunners is something she has been looking forward to all summer.

“It’s a great way to start the season, playing one of the best teams in the country,” Rachel told theFA.com.

“Arsenal have made two signings, so they are going to be even stronger this year. We have made a couple of signings ourselves, which is good for us. I can’t wait for the game. It will be tough and against one of the toughest sides we will play.”

“Its not just about individual players, its about the team. They have added players to the squad, which will only improve them and strengthen them. They have now got Katie Chapman who is one of the best midfielders in the country. Also Karen Carney, who is one of the best wingers in the country.”

Unitt has played in and won the Community Shield before when she turned out for Fulham and it’s a competition she wants to win again. But she knows to well what it takes to win a match like this one.

“It could go either way as either team can win this. It just depends on the performance on the day really. It will also be a mental battle as well as a physical one. We are both capable of scoring goals.

Everton’s recent record over Arsenal is a mixed one, but the England full-back feels her team can match the north London side despite what has happened in past meetings.

“Last year, our performances against them were different. We drew 3-3 with them and I think we could have won the game if we have had a bit more time. We lost 2-0 in the cup and then 5-0 away in the league, when Fara got sent off and it was all down hill from there. But we can compete with Arsenal, we have got as many internationals and quality players that they have.”

“I hope we can get a good result against Arsenal but we will have to see what happens,” Rachel added.