^^ Ciara got me all excited thinking it was Ciara Grant

Same here I thought she finally signed up
And just when I finished my wallpaper with Irish Gunners

I thought as well. Maybe some of them are reading us ?

uefa.com: How near are you to playing again?

Faye White: It's good, progressing, on track. I'm getting back into training and a little bit more of that before I look at playing in a game. I have a date in mind, but haven't told anyone!

uefa.com: Do you think you will make the UEFA Women's Cup final?

White: I'd have to be already in contention before then, playing regularly. But that's not up to me, that's for other people. I'm just trying to get myself fit.

uefa.com: How has it felt to miss so many big games since your injury?

White: You don't want to miss one game let alone big important games. But it's good that the team are doing well, it's encouraging and makes you want to work that little bit harder to get back and gives you more motivation.

uefa.com: Have you watched matches in a different way since your injury, perhaps as a coach might do?

White: I'm interested in that side, trying to make your time out a bit more useful. Watching how players are reacting, how other teams are progressing, or how players are reacting to certain things going on in your position. You've got to make things positive, there is no point just sitting there and not taking in what you can.

uefa.com: Did you think Arsenal could reach the UEFA final this year?

White: With each year we've got more experience, we've got the team strengthened. We felt we were closing the gap on the Swedes and the Germans, who were always on top in Europe. With the strengthening we've had this year, it's no surprise that the team has got there. It could have happened the year before, but it depends how the games come up.

uefa.com: What do you think of Umeå?

White: A couple of their veteran players have retired, but they have included some new faces. But it's the beginning of their season and the players have got to bed in and adjust. It will be interesting but they do go in slightly as favourites due to their experience of finals in previous years.

uefa.com: It has been a tremendous achievement to reach the final for your manager and Arsenal FC kitman Vic Akers, who set up the women's team himself...

This is our 20th year, it's fitting we have got to the finalFaye White
White: This is our 20th year, it's fitting we have got to the final. If anyone knows about how the team has changed and what work goes in to make a European final, it's Vic. As a part of Arsenal there is always someone behind the scenes pushing and working, and accountable for why it has grown so much. After 20 years of something that takes a lot of your time up and takes a lot of dedication and passion, and it would be a great reward.

uefa.com: You also work full-time for Arsenal, what difference has that made during your rehabilitation?

White: It has been good; to be seen whenever I've needed, to have the facilities to train and that bit of help and support that was needed. [When I suffered another bad injury in 2002] I had to drive an hour and a half just to see a physio. It is a bit different now, and it is nice to still be part of everything, to watch the games.

uefa.com: You were commentating for TV when England qualified for the World Cup in France last September, what do you remember of that day?

White: Just to be there watching is hard, but it was fantastic at the end. If you are not a player you are still a fan. I kind of felt how the girls felt, I was trying to imagine what that must have felt like for them. At last we did it! It is important they keep hold of that feeling and take that into the World Cup and for the Arsenal players the UEFA final too, it will be a similar standard of game for us.

uefa.com: Whatever else happens this year, you already have one honour - the United Kingdom's MBE for services to women's football.

White: It has been good for the game and its profile but it is weird receiving something like that because it is an honour, but you are used to things with a team. It helps the game, it shows the game is progressing. But there are other people out there who did as much!

My old department at work kindly bought me the new Arsenal shirt as a leaving gift I've had White 6 done on the back hoping to get it signed at some point by the lady herself.

I'm sure you'll manage it

I'm hoping to get to the leeds home game on easter sunday and I've booked for the uefa home game and fa cup so I should see Faye at one of those. I would doubt she'll be at leeds tomorrow

She might go and give her support

I'm sure Faye will appreciate that. Thinking about it I have never seen anyone with White #6 on the back Only Smith #8

I like faye yanks and kelly and have yanks and kelly's names on my 2 england shirt so the nice gift seemed a good opportunity to have fayes name on something.

I am off to the game assuming it takes place ! Last time I saw Leeds Karen Burke scored a blinding goal hope that doesn't happen today though. I'm hoping Jess Clarke is playing as my old department sponsors her.

Sorry for going off topic slightly

I see Faye at loads of game, she is there at all the home game and I saw her at the airport in Copenhague as well.

Faye's Canada Fury

Whilst her teammates were winning an unprecedented quadruple last season, Arsenal's club captain Faye White was forced to look on from the sidelines as she fought her way back from yet another ACL injury.

Faye jetted out to Canada a fortnight ago on a short-term contract with Ottawa Fury to help her return to full match fitness; the goal at the end of endless hours alone in the gym was not only pulling on her club shirt again, but aiming to be named in Hope Powell's final World Cup squad of 21 to travel to Macau, then Shanghai in August.

Faye's first match for her new side was a 3-2 victory against Jersey Sky Blue on 20 June and the side won their next two games at the weekend [4-1 v Toronto Lynx and 3-0 v Rochester Rhinos], part of a seven match unbeaten run.

Speaking to TheFA.com, Faye described her first impressions of her new environment, as well as reflecting on her visit to Buckingham Palace to collect her MBE from the Queen.

"When I first arrived I settled quite quickly as there are two other English internationals here [Rachel Axon and Jodie Taylor]," said Faye. "The pace of the game against Jersey Sky Blue was pretty intense in the first 45 minutes and I found myself catching my breath quite a lot.

"I knew i'd feel a bit rusty but it was exactly the sort of test I needed" added Faye. "We played with three at the back in the first half and then four at the back in the second so I had to keep on my toes, but in the second half I felt far more comfortable."

After a long-term injury, one would imagine that the first crunching 50:50 challenge would be viewed with some trepidation and Faye admitted she was relieved to get one of those under her belt quite quickly.

"There was one ball in the middle of the park inside the first ten minutes and I just went for it. The opposition player was steaming in and once I'd started, I knew I wasn't going to pull out. I came out the other side with the ball and in one piece, and it was certainly one more thing that I mentally checked off on the road to recovery."

Last season, England U23 striker Jodie Taylor was plying her trade at Oregon State University, and in her spell at the Fury, she has been consistently finding the back of the net, including a hat-trick at the weekend.

"Jodie has impressed me, and she's very quick," said Faye. "It would be fair to say that we don't have too many prolific English strikers, and if she keeps training hard and working at her game, she may well have a chance to impress at this summer's Nordic Cup."

Shortly before Faye made her transatlantic move, a visit to Buckingham Palace was in the diary as she collected her MBE from the Queen. "I've been privileged to have a range of different experiences through football but that was something else.

"We arrived at a large ballroom for a briefing at 10am and my Mum, Dad and brother were with me. My fiance was working and arrived later, and when one of the clerks realised, she went out and brought him in too, even though officially we were only allowed three guests, which was a fantastic gesture.

"Then, dead on 11am the Queen arrived, and the staggering thing was that she presented between 90-100 people with their awards, and the ceremony finished like clockwork dead on midday."

Faye revealed that a brief conversation with the Monarch revolved around her playing and occasional commentary duties, and that she wished the team well for the World Cup, telling Faye "Keep up the good work".

"It was a fantastic morning and after the ceremony we were able to take some photos in the grounds. I know when the cricket team won the Ashes they all received honours, so maybe there's another incentive for the squad that goes to China, that if they come back with the trophy, they may get to go to Buckingham Palace too!"

Faye after the uefa game she was bending to me as I'm shorter than her



She signed this at sheffield and gave me a lovely smile

Happy Birthday Faye, best defender in the womens game!

Good way to celebrate by scoring as well

Sure is. Was it a header from a corner?

No - she actually kicked it in

Whats a defender doing in the opposition area? Is it just this Arsenal team that does this?
They obviously dont get nose bleeds.

The men do it too - look how often Gallas is there.

Total football is it?

Yes for the mens.
Womens Arsenal lot is Totally Sexy Football.