Lucy Bronze won't dwell on any previous encounters with Arsenal ahead of our upcoming two-legged Women's Champions League clash with the Gunners, and is expecting an exciting tie between two of Europe’s best teams.
We begin the quarter-final with Tuesday night’s clash at the Emirates Stadium, before returning to Stamford Bridge in the second leg on April 1, with a WSL match at Kingsmeadow against Aston Villa sandwiched in between.
And although we lost 2-0 at Stamford Bridge to Renee Slegers’ side at the end of January, that defeat has been placed firmly in the past for Bronze and her team-mates.
‘I think we see it as two different competitions,’ said the experienced defender. ‘When we step up for the Champions League, we have to put aside what's happening in the WSL and focus on the game in front of us. The Champions League brings out a different element because it is a different type of tournament, and having these two legs is so different.
‘You can't dwell too much on past games or even think about having a second leg at the Bridge still to come. You've just got to be in the moment for what that game brings. We know that they’re a very good team, but we’re also a very good team, and we’ll go toe-to-toe with them.’
Bronze described playing in the Champions League as a tough endeavour, and one where no single side has enjoyed absolute dominance this season.
Chelsea need no further motivation to defeat Arsenal than a place in the Champions League semi-final, but Bronze feels that a chance to overcome our London rivals gives the tie an extra edge.
‘Arsenal are the current holders,’ she continued. ‘We have a big rivalry, and it’s exciting to have those rivalries in the quarter-finals. As well as ours, there’s also Real Madrid playing against Barcelona.
‘All the teams in the Champions League this year have struggled to find a truly consistent top level. I think that's maybe why you see the likes of Manchester City doing well in the league, because they've not got that element of Champions League.
‘I'm fully expecting Arsenal to put out their best team and play at their highest level. Both teams are going to want to make it to the semi-final. They are the holders, so they won’t want to go out, but we’re also determined to go through.
'There's a lot on this game for both teams, and both will want to bring their A-game. You play every match to win, and we're going there to beat them and to win the game.’