Steph Catley was delighted with how we got the job done in Sunday’s 3-0 win at home to Bristol City in the Adobe Women’s FA Cup fifth round.
Asked for her thoughts on the game, our centre-back said: “I think it was a good game for us. It was challenging conditions at times. The pitch has just had a lot of games on it recently, so it made the ball quite wobbly, and they're a great team.
“They're quite direct at times and they make it difficult. So yes, I think it was a good result for us. You know, we're on the back of a couple of wins on the trot. So it's been a good window for us and it's nice to finish on a high.”
In fact it’s seven wins in a row in all competitions, so what does Catley put that down to?
“I think the attitude has been amazing. I think we've really found our feet, especially as a squad. We've been able to rotate a lot. Just about every single player's had consistent minutes in this block.
“I think that's been really nice for the team and good for our momentum. Everyone's in form, everyone's contributing. And yes, we're just in a great place with confidence and scoring goals, keeping clean sheets. So it's been a really positive window for us.”
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Report: Arsenal Women 3-0 Bristol City](https://www.arsenal.com/fixture/women/2026-Feb-22/women-bristol-city-women-match-report?utm_source=arsenaldotcom&utm_medium=embedded-article&utm_campaign=news)
There certainly is a lot of competition for places among the backline, with plenty of defenders showing high standards across the board in recent weeks.
“I think that's what you want at a team like Arsenal,” Catley added. “We've got world-class players all over the pitch and not everyone can play all the time. So it's nice to be able to rotate. You know anyone that comes in is ready to do their job and is at a high level. So that's exactly what you want to be to put yourself in a good position as a team. So I think that's just spurred us forward.”
Now that we enter the business end of the competition following the upcoming international break, there’s a lot for supporters to look forward to with the quarter-finals of the FA Cup as well as the UEFA Women’s Champions League.
“I think the next block is going to be really big for us,” Catley said. “Every game is important at this stage, but obviously next block we've got Champions League to look forward to, a massive game against Chelsea. So yes, hopefully we go away, everyone does well at their international teams and comes back with the same attitude and the same energy.”
For Catley and her Australian comrades, that means the AFC Women’s Asian Cup on home soil.
“So Cait, Kyra and I are flying to Perth tomorrow to start that journey,” she explained. “So yes, we're really excited. It's been a long time coming and it's on home soil. So really looking forward to that one.”
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