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FA watch with interest at Arsenal Ladies take on Chelsea at the Emirates

 

Glenn Moore
Thursday 26 April 2012 11:32 BST
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Arsenal Ladies manager Laura Harvey
Arsenal Ladies manager Laura Harvey (GETTY IMAGES)

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Football Association officials will be watching closely the attendance tonight as the first FA Womens' Super League match is hosted at a Premier League stadium. Arsenal Ladies, the defending champions, play early league leaders Chelsea Ladies at the Emirates - a far cry from their usual home of non-league Borehamwood.

Arsenal were knocked out of the Women's Champions League at the weekend at the semi-final stage by Frankfurt and manager Laura Harvey said: "There's no better way of getting over that disappointment than playing in such a special game. It just gives us a chance to promote the club, the league and women's football in general."

Several of the players who reached the World Cup quarter-final last year will be on show, as well as probable members of this summer's GB Olympic team. "Chelsea have strengthened their squad over the winter as we have. They have a lot of younger players who are breaking into the senior England squad," said Harvey. "They try and play football so it should be a great occasion."

Tickets tonight cost £5 for adults and £2.50 concessions, which is cheaper than an Arsenal stadium tour and Harvey believes the gate may be boosted by Gunners fans who simply want to see inside the ground. "With Arsenal having such a massive following some people can't get to watch the men so this may be their chance to come down and see the stadium."

The teams meet again on Sunday in the Womens FA Cup Semi Final at Brentford.

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