Jordan Nobbs insists Arsenal have not given up hope of a second-place finish in FA WSL 1 but she admits a high-scoring win against Birmingham City on Sunday is their only hope.
Arsenal, currently third, go into their final game of the season at Boreham Wood knowing they cannot catch leaders Chelsea, who are five points ahead of their London rivals.
Yet a Champions League place is within their reach if Manchester City lose at home to Notts County and the Gunners have a goal glut against the Blues.
Arsenal v Birmingham City
FA Women's Super League with BT Sport 1
6pm, Sunday 4 October
Boreham Wood FC
City are three points ahead and six goals better off than Arsenal but England international Nobbs says all is not lost.
“We’ve still got a chance to finish second and that’s what we want,” said Nobbs. “It’s a hard one because we are relying on other teams but we’ve got to deal with that and do whatever we can to get second.
“We’ve just got to do what we can do and finish on a high with a win. Champions League football would be massive for us. It’s disappointing when Arsenal aren’t in the top two both for the club and me as a player.
“We need to be getting Champions League and getting in the top two every single year now.
“I think our injuries have not helped – there has been a good five or six of us missing at various points. It’s been disappointing for us but next season we need to make sure we’re fighting in that title race.”
Birmingham, meanwhile, will be safe in the knowledge they have secured their status in the top flight of the FA Women’s Super League with BT Sport for another season.
Bottom side Bristol Academy cannot overtake the Blues but midfielder Emily Westwood has vowed to give the Gunners a game.
Westwood will be looking to expose Arsenal weaknesses
“We will be preparing for the last game like how we prepared for the first game,” said Westwood. “We are not just going to give them the match because we are still competing in WSL 1.
“Arsenal have not been in the title race for nothing, they have good international players and have been playing fantastically.
“We have been playing a lot of different formations this season and we will be doing what works best for us whether that is more defensive or more attacking.
“It is up to the management as to however they will prepare us and what formation we will play for the game but we will try to expose their weaknesses, break them down and hopefully we can get the three points.”
