# 2002–03 Arsenal L.F.C. season

The 2002–03 season was Arsenal Ladies Football Club's 16th season since forming in 1987. The club participated in the National Division of the FA Women's Premier League, and came into the season as the reigning champions. However, they were only able to finish third this time. behind Doncaster Rovers Belles and newly promoted Fulham, who won the league with an unbeaten campaign.
They were defeated in the Community Shield and the League Cup Final on penalties by Fulham, and lost at the Semi Final stages of the FA Cup and London County Cup to Charlton Athletic.
In Europe, Arsenal reached the Semi Final stages of the UEFA Cup for the first time, but were thrashed 8–2 on aggregate by Fortuna Hjørring, including a disastrous 5–1 home defeat. It was the first time since 1995-96 that Arsenal finished a season with no trophies to show for their efforts.
Before the season began, Arsenal declared that they had gone semi-professional.

## Squad Statistics
### First team squad

Squad statistics correct as of May 2003
| Squad No. | Name | Date of Birth (Age) | Since | Signed From |
| Goalkeepers |||||
| 1 | Emma Byrne | (1979-06-14) 14 June 1979 (age 45) | 2000 | Fortuna Hjørring |
| 13 | Jo Price | (1985-06-07) 7 June 1985 (age 39) | 2001 | |
| | Caroline Collie | (1986-08-11) 11 August 1986 (age 38) | 2002 | Homegrown |
| | Jasmine Cripps | (1985-11-04) 4 November 1985 (age 39) | 1998 | Homegrown |
| Defenders |||||
| 2 | Kirsty Pealling | (1975-04-14) 14 April 1975 (age 49) | 1987 | Homegrown |
| 3 | Pauline MacDonald | (1975-04-17) 17 April 1975 (age 49) | 2000 | Cumbernauld United |
| 5 | Leanne Champ | (1983-08-10) 10 August 1983 (age 41) | 2001 | Millwall Lionesses |
| 6 | Faye White | (1978-02-02) 2 February 1978 (age 47) | 1996 | Horsham Ladies |
| 11 | Clare Wheatley | (1971-02-04) 4 February 1971 (age 54) | 1995 | Chelsea |
| 12 | Julie Fletcher | (1974-09-28) 28 September 1974 (age 50) | 2001 | Charlton Athletic |
| 15 | Yvonne Tracy | (1981-02-27) 27 February 1981 (age 44) | 2000 | St Patrick's Athletic |
| 17 | Hayley Kemp | (1987-06-23) 23 June 1987 (age 37) | 1998 | Hatfield Youth |
| 18 | Anita Asante | (1985-04-27) 27 April 1985 (age 39) | 1998 | Homegrown |
| 24 | Georgie Adams | (1984-11-07) 7 November 1984 (age 40) | 1999 | Homegrown |
| 30 | Carol Harwood | (1965-12-01) 1 December 1965 (age 59) | 2002 | Southampton Saints |
| | Eartha Pond | (1983-09-04) 4 September 1983 (age 41) | 2002 | Chelsea |
| | Cori Daniels | (1986-06-04) 4 June 1986 (age 38) | 2002 | Homegrown |
| Midfielders |||||
| 4 | Jayne Ludlow | (1979-01-07) 7 January 1979 (age 46) | 2000 | Southampton Saints |
| 7 | Sian Williams (captain) | (1968-02-02) 2 February 1968 (age 57) | 1990 | Juve Siderno |
| 10 | Ciara Grant | (1978-05-17) 17 May 1978 (age 46) | 1998 | St Patrick's Athletic |
| 21 | Emma Thomas | (1983-10-17) 17 October 1983 (age 41) | 1996 | Homegrown |
| 23 | Eleri Earnshaw | (1985-05-17) 17 May 1985 (age 39) | 2001 | Bangor City |
| | Lisa Burrows | (1985-08-01) 1 August 1985 (age 39) | 2002 | Bushey Rangers |
| | Gemma Ritchie | | 2002 | |
| Forwards |||||
| 8 | Angela Banks | (1975-12-23) 23 December 1975 (age 49) | 1999 | Whitehawk |
| 9 | Ellen Maggs | (1983-02-16) 16 February 1983 (age 42) | 2000 | Homegrown |
| 14 | Lianne Sanderson | (1988-02-03) 3 February 1988 (age 37) | 2003 | Homegrown |
| 16 | Alex Scott | (1984-10-14) 14 October 1984 (age 40) | 2002 | Homegrown |
| 17 | Ayshea Martyn | | 2002 | |
| 24 | Michele O'Brien | (1980-06-28) 28 June 1980 (age 44) | 2003 | Long Island Lady Riders |
| | Sheuneen Ta | (1985-07-21) 21 July 1985 (age 39) | 1997 | Homegrown |

### Appearances and goals

| No. | Name | Premier League | Premier League | FA Cup | FA Cup | PL Cup | PL Cup | LC Cup | LC Cup | Comm Shield | Comm Shield | UEFA Cup | UEFA Cup | Total | Total |
| No. | Name | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals |
| Goalkeepers ||||||||||||||||
| 1 | Emma Byrne | 18 | 0 | 4 | 0 | 5 | 0 | ‡ | ‡ | 1 | 0 | 6 | 0 | 34 | 0 |
| 13 | Jo Price | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | ‡ | ‡ | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| | Caroline Collie | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | ‡ | ‡ | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| | Jasmine Cripps | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | ‡ | ‡ | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Defenders ||||||||||||||||
| 2 | Kirsty Pealling | 15 | 2 | 4 | 0 | 4 | 0 | ‡ | ‡ | 1 | 0 | 5 | 0 | 29 | 2 |
| 3 | Pauline MacDonald | 10 | 2 | 4 | 0 | 3 | 0 | ‡ | ‡ | 1 | 0 | 3+1 | 1 | 21+1 | 3 |
| 5 | Leanne Champ | 18 | 0 | 4 | 0 | 4 | 0 | ‡ | ‡ | 1 | 0 | 4+1 | 0 | 31+1 | 0 |
| 6 | Faye White | 4+1 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | ‡ | ‡ | 1 | 0 | 3 | 1 | 8+1 | 2 |
| 11 | Clare Wheatley | 18 | 0 | 4 | 0 | 5 | 0 | ‡ | ‡ | 1 | 0 | 6 | 2 | 34 | 2 |
| 12 | Julie Fletcher | 14+3 | 0 | 4 | 0 | 3 | 0 | ‡ | ‡ | 0+1 | 0 | 6 | 0 | 27+4 | 0 |
| 15 | Yvonne Tracy | 12+1 | 0 | 4 | 0 | 5 | 0 | ‡ | ‡ | 0 | 0 | 3+2 | 0 | 24+3 | 0 |
| 17 | Hayley Kemp | 0+1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | ‡ | ‡ | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0+1 | 0 |
| 18 | Anita Asante | 1+4 | 0 | 0+1 | 0 | 1+1 | 0 | ‡ | ‡ | 0 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 4+6 | 0 |
| 24 | Georgie Adams | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | ‡ | ‡ | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| 30 | Carol Harwood | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | ‡ | ‡ | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| | Eartha Pond | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | ‡ | ‡ | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| | Cori Daniels | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | ‡ | ‡ | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Midfielders ||||||||||||||||
| 4 | Jayne Ludlow | 18 | 15 | 4 | 6 | 5 | 6 | ‡ | ‡ | 1 | 0 | 6 | 4 | 34 | 31 |
| 7 | Sian Williams (captain) | 14+3 | 0 | 1+2 | 0 | 3+2 | 0 | ‡ | ‡ | 1 | 0 | 5 | 0 | 15+3 | 0 |
| 10 | Ciara Grant | 16 | 7 | 3 | 1 | 5 | 2 | ‡ | ‡ | 1 | 0 | 6 | 2 | 31 | 12 |
| 21 | Emma Thomas | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | ‡ | ‡ | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| 23 | Eleri Earnshaw | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | ‡ | ‡ | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| | Lisa Burrows | 0 | 0 | 0+1 | 0 | 0+1 | 0 | ‡ | ‡ | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0+2 | 0 |
| | Gemma Ritchie | 0+1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 1 | ‡ | ‡ | 0 | 0 | 0+1 | 0 | 1+2 | 1 |
| Forwards ||||||||||||||||
| 8 | Angela Banks | 18 | 14 | 4 | 2 | 5 | 3 | ‡ | ‡ | 0 | 0 | 5 | 4 | 32 | 23 |
| 9 | Ellen Maggs | 16+1 | 5 | 2 | 0 | 3 | 3 | ‡ | ‡ | 1 | 2 | 6 | 3 | 28+1 | 13 |
| 14 | Lianne Sanderson | 2+3 | 4 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | ‡ | ‡ | 0 | 0 | 0+1 | 0 | 2+4 | 4 |
| 16 | Alex Scott | 1+10 | 0 | 0+3 | 1 | 1+3 | 0 | ‡ | ‡ | 0 | 0 | 0+3 | 1 | 2+19 | 2 |
| 17 | Ayshea Martyn | 2+8 | 1 | 2+2 | 1 | 1+3 | 1 | ‡ | ‡ | 1 | 0 | 0+2 | 0 | 6+15 | 3 |
| 24 | Michele O'Brien | 1+5 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | ‡ | ‡ | 0 | 0 | 0+1 | 0 | 1+6 | 1 |
| | Sheuneen Ta | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0+1 | 0 | ‡ | ‡ | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0+1 | 0 |
‡ = No match report data has been sourced for the London County Cup matches from this season. Only the score-lines are known.

### Goalscorers

| Rank | No. | Position | Name | Premier League | FA Cup | PL Cup | LC Cup | Comm Shield | UEFA Cup | Total |
| 1 | 4 | MF | Jayne Ludlow | 15 | 6 | 6 | ‡ | 0 | 4 | 31 |
| 2 | 8 | FW | Angela Banks | 14 | 2 | 3 | ‡ | 0 | 4 | 23 |
| 3 | 9 | FW | Ellen Maggs | 5 | 0 | 3 | ‡ | 2 | 3 | 13 |
| 4 | 10 | MF | Ciara Grant | 7 | 1 | 2 | ‡ | 0 | 2 | 12 |
| 5 | 14 | FW | Lianne Sanderson | 4 | 0 | 0 | ‡ | 0 | 0 | 4 |
| 5 | Own Goals | Own Goals | Own Goals | 1 | 1 | 2 | ‡ | 0 | 0 | 4 |
| 6 | 17 | FW | Ayshea Martyn | 1 | 1 | 1 | ‡ | 0 | 0 | 3 |
| 6 | 3 | DF | Pauline MacDonald | 2 | 0 | 0 | ‡ | 0 | 1 | 3 |
| 7 | 16 | FW | Alex Scott | 0 | 1 | 0 | ‡ | 0 | 1 | 2 |
| 7 | 2 | DF | Kirsty Pealling | 2 | 0 | 0 | ‡ | 0 | 0 | 2 |
| 7 | 6 | DF | Faye White | 1 | 0 | 0 | ‡ | 0 | 1 | 2 |
| 7 | 11 | DF | Clare Wheatley | 0 | 0 | 0 | ‡ | 0 | 2 | 2 |
| 8 | 24 | FW | Michele O'Brien | 1 | 0 | 0 | ‡ | 0 | 0 | 1 |
| 8 | | MF | Gemma Ritchie | 0 | 0 | 1 | ‡ | 0 | 0 | 1 |
| Total | Total | Total | Total | 53 | 12 | 18 | 7 | 2 | 18 | 110 |

### Clean sheets

| Rank | No. | Name | Premier League | FA Cup | PL Cup | LC Cup | Comm Shield | UEFA Cup | Total |
| 1 | 1 | Emma Byrne | 5 | 3 | 3 | ‡ | 0 | 3 | 14 |
| Total | Total | Total | 5 | 3 | 3 | ‡ | 0 | 3 | 14 |

## Transfers, loans and other signings
### Transfers in

| Announcement date | No. | Position | Player | From club |
| July 2002 | | MF | Gemma Ritchie | Southampton |
| 2002 | 17 | FW | Ayshea Martyn | Bangor City |
| 2003 | 24 | FW | Michele O'Brien | Long Island Lady Riders |

### Transfers out

| Announcement date | Position | Player | To club |
| 2002 | GK | Aman Dosanj | Lee University |
| 2002 | DF | Kelley Few | Retirement |
| 2002 | MF | Nicky Grant | Glasgow City |
| 2002 | FW | Megumi Ogawa | |
| 2002 | DF | Eartha Pond | Charlton Athletic |
| 2002 | FW | Marieanne Spacey | Fulham |
| 2002 | DF | Casey Stoney | Charlton Athletic |
| 2002 | GK | Toni-Anne Wayne | Southampton |
| 2002 | DF | Sarah Woolliscroft | |
| July 2002 | DF | Jessica Wright | Fulham |
| 2002 | FW | Emma Moore | |
| 2002 | | Jo Gardner | |

## Club
### Kit

Supplier: Nike / Sponsor: O2.
| Home | Away | Third |

## Competitions
### FA Women's Premier League
#### Partial league table

| Pos | Teamvte | Pld | W | D | L | GF | GA | GD | Pts | Qualification |
| 1 | Fulham (C) | 18 | 16 | 2 | 0 | 63 | 13 | +50 | 49 | Champions, to European Cup |
| 2 | Doncaster Rovers | 18 | 13 | 2 | 3 | 34 | 19 | +15 | 41 | |
| 3 | Arsenal | 18 | 13 | 1 | 4 | 53 | 21 | +32 | 40 | |
| 4 | Charlton Athletic | 18 | 10 | 4 | 4 | 44 | 20 | +24 | 34 | |
| 5 | Birmingham City | 18 | 6 | 3 | 9 | 26 | 31 | −5 | 21 | |
* ↑ Deducted 1 point for fielding ineligible player (Jess Wright) against Charlton Athletic on October 23, 2002.

#### Results Summary

| Overall | Overall | Overall | Overall | Overall | Overall | Overall | Overall | Home | Home | Home | Home | Home | Home | Away | Away | Away | Away | Away | Away |

#### Results by matchday

| Matchday | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | 10 | 11 | 12 | 13 | 14 | 15 | 16 | 17 | 18 |
| Ground | H | A | H | H | H | A | H | H | A | H | H | A | A | A | A | A | H | A |
| Result | W | W | W | W | W | L | L | W | W | W | W | L | W | W | W | D | L | W |
| Position | 2 | 2 | 2 | 2 | 2 | 3 | 3 | 3 | 3 | 3 | 3 | 3 | 3 | 3 | 3 | 3 | 3 | 3 |

### UEFA Women's Cup
#### Group Stage
#### Table

| Pos | Teamvte | Pld | W | D | L | GF | GA | GD | Pts | Qualification | ARS | LEV | GBA | EEN |
| 1 | Arsenal | 3 | 3 | 0 | 0 | 15 | 1 | +14 | 9 | Advance to quarter-finals | — | 2–1 | 6–0 | 7–0 |
| 2 | Levante | 3 | 2 | 0 | 1 | 11 | 3 | +8 | 6 | | – | — | 2–1 | 8–0 |
| 3 | Gömrükçü Baku | 3 | 1 | 0 | 2 | 9 | 8 | +1 | 3 | | – | – | — | 8–0 |
| 4 | Eendracht Aalst | 3 | 0 | 0 | 3 | 0 | 23 | −23 | 0 | | – | – | – | — |