Montemurro: We all buckled in and got the job done

Arsenal manager Joe Montemurro hailed his team's professionalism in their 4-0 win over Everton despite the anxiety caused by the new London coronavirus restrictions.

In their last Barclays FA Women’s Super League match of the year, Arsenal came away with all three points thanks to a fast start.

Jordan Nobbs tapped in after just four minutes and Caitlin Foord doubled the advantage five minutes later, before Jen Beattie’s header and Beth Mead’s curling strike in the second half sealed the result.

The Gunners sit second in the league, four points behind leaders Manchester United and Montemurro was pleased with his side’s position.

“We can only look at the last game, and the next game going forward, that’s the reality,” Montemurro said.

“Would I like to have picked up a couple of extra points, yes, I’d love them.

“But we’re all in, it’s a great league to be part of, a great competition, and as we’ve seen there’s results happening everywhere and Everton are a very good team, so today is pleasing.”

After Saturday’s announcement about London and the South East going into Tier 4 restrictions, the Arsenal boss admitted there was anxiety within the side.

🙌 @jbeattie91 at the back post! @ArsenalWFC 🆚 @EvertonWomen #BarclaysFAWSL highlights ⤵️

— Barclays FA Women's Super League (@BarclaysFAWSL) December 21, 2020

The Gunners are a team full of international stars, particularly those from the Netherlands, and many of them were planning to go home over the Christmas break.

But with plans put on hold, Montemurro was proud of his team for getting on with the job in hand.

“There are no exemptions for sportspeople,” Montemurro explained. “There are no exemptions for our situation, we just have to follow government guidelines – that’s all we can do.

“We discussed it before the game because there was a lot of anxiety and uncertainty.

“All of us were looking to spend four or five days with our families. Obviously when you haven’t seen them in a while and you want to get back it is difficult.

“We have to be professional in the way we go about things and there’s still some work to be done. We all buckled in and made sure that we got the job done.”

With a three-week break until the Barclays FA WSL returns again, the Arsenal boss hopes his side will be able to revitalise before the league restarts in the new year.

Montemurro added: “We’re going to give them a little bit of time. We really need them to wind down and get some positivity back into their lives.

“We all need it, the staff and everyone around the club needs a bit of a break. It’s come at a good time.

“We’re really looking forward to a really good second half of the season.”