Arsenal homegrown star has stepped up to keep title fight alive - England boss must take note

As the clock ticked down at the Emirates on Saturday afternoon, the home faithful struck up an emphatic chorus of KC and The Sunshine Band's 'Give It Up'.

The 1982 classic has been given regular airings in north London this term — and at Arsenal Women's home stadium, Meadow Park — thanks to the imperious form of defender Lotte Wubben-Moy, whose name has been seamlessly woven into the lyrics by the Gunners' fervent support. The tune was belted out with gusto again as the stadium announcer confirmed Arsenal's no. 3 had been named the official supporters' club's player of the match.

Certainly, Wubben-Moy'snear-faultless showing against Manchester United had warranted the accolade, but it was merely the latest in a long line of accomplished performances from a centre-back who has thwarted some of the Women's Super League's (WSL) most fearsome strikers this season. «We have to acknowledge a player like Lotte Wubben-Moy,» manager Jonas Eidevall said after the game. «We have to acknowledge the level she is playing at this season and seeing how she develops.

»A performance like she has today is incredible. I think it is something the whole club should be very proud of because she is Arsenal through and through. She is coming from our academy, our community and to see her excel the way she does at Emirates Stadium, it is fantastic. I am really, really happy for her and the club to see that."

High praise, then, from the Arsenal boss. And it is easy to see why Wuben-Moy is a firm fan favourite. She is, as Eidevall said, «Arsenal through and through», having spoken previously of how her aunt would sing her to sleep using famous Gunners' chants as lullabies before she joined the club's Centre of Excellence at the age of 13.

Born in Bow,