16 May 2023 , 10:58
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Arsenal manager Jonas Eidevall says the club "can't relax" over increased attendances following the news his team will play more games at the Emirates.
The women's side recently sold out the Emirates for the first time, with 60,000 packing out the stadium for their UEFA Champions League semi-final second leg with Wolfsburg. That was the fifth time this season they played at the men's stadium in European competition.
And the club have followed this up by announcing last week that Eidevall's team will play at least five WSL fixtures their next season. Arsenal regularly play league fixtures at Meadow Park in Borehamwood, but games against Spurs, Man Utd and Chelsea this term were switched to the Emirates.
Crowds across the women's game are booming, with Sunday's FA Cup final between Chelsea and Man Utd setting a world record attendance for a domestic women's fixture, with 77,390 inside Wembley.
"I think it is the same with the performances on the pitch and attendances in the stadium," explained Eidevall. "I don't think you can ever relax and think attendances will take care of themselves.
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"I think the reason why we have got such good crowds and attendances this season is a combination of having a team of players that are a great advertisement for the people who come to the stadium. But also the whole club have a lot of people working behind the scenes, making sure our advertising is reaching out and making people aware of the game. We have really good strategies to get people through the doors.
"That has to continue as well. It is not something that has happened for free, getting all these people to the Emirates. Everyone needs to continue to work very hard and commit to it. If we do that and work as hard as we have this season, I'm sure we'll get some great attendances next season as well."
Arsenal fans sold-out the Emirates for a Women's Champions League semi-final earlier this monthArsenal will also once again play every Women's Champions League fixture at the Emirates next season, should they qualify for the competition. To do so, the Gunners will need a strong end to their WSL season to finish inside the top three, starting with tomorrow night's trip to Everton.
And their Swedish coach is expecting a tough challenge, despite Everton's recent heavy 8-0 defeat at FA Cup winners Chelsea.
"I don't think much about that result (the 8-0 defeat)," he added. "I tend to look at the way the team plays. You can see Everton as a team has a lot of good qualities and really good players.
"So it is going to be a tough challenge for us, but we have prepared well for the game and we need to continue to do that."
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