Former Melbourne City Westfield W-League coach Joe Montemurro has fallen agonisingly short of winning another major trophy with Arsenal’s Women’s team.
Montemurro led his side out onto the hallowed turf at Wembley but the Lady Gunners were no match for Chelsea, losing the SSE Women’s FA Cup final 3-1.
Vivianne Miedema scored Arsenal’s only goal 17 minutes from time to make the score 2-1 before the Blues made it safe soon after through Fran Kirby’s goal.
“It was a difficult game but I’m proud of the girls. They gave me everything and that’s all I can ask for,” Montemurro said on the Arsenal website.
“I’m very proud. We’ve got a very young squad so for us the future is bright with these players. Going forward the more they’re exposed to big games, the more we will grow.” #WeAreTheArsenal pic.twitter.com/M7MnFgXD8v
— Arsenal Women (@ArsenalWFC) May 5, 2018
“It’s all part of growth. That’s what I’m here for, to give this side some growth and start challenging at the top with the best teams.
“I think we’ve achieved that this year. We’re going to keep going, we’re going to keep building so that we can continue to do that.”
Montemurro took the reins as coach of the Lady Gunners in late 2017.
He guided the club to the 2018 FA Women’s Super League Continental Cup in March with a 1-0 win over Manchester City in the final.
Arsenal now turns their attention back to the Women’s Super League – where they are currently fourth – this weekend with a clash against first-placed City.
Montemurro enjoyed plenty of success in the Westfield W-League with Melbourne City, leading them to the title in their inaugural season without losing a game.
He also spent time as an assistant to the Hyundai A-League team before swapping Melbourne for London last year.
- Lead image sourced from Arsenal website
