Vilahamn believes sell-outs can inspire all WSL clubs

Tottenham head coach Robert Vilahamn admits Arsenal's run of sell-out fixtures at the Emirates is an inspiration for other Women's Super League clubs.

It was announced earlier today that Spurs would return to Tottenham Hotspur Stadium for their season finale with West Ham on May 18 after they previously played at the men's 62,850-seater venue in December against the Gunners.

An encouraging crowd of 19,480 watched Tottenham end 2023 with a 1-0 derby win but that figure was dwarfed by their rivals last Sunday.

For the second weekend in a row, more than 60,000 spectators turned out to watch Arsenal at the Emirates as they made it back-to-back victories over Manchester United and their North London neighbours in the WSL.

While Jonas Eidevall's side claimed bragging rights against Spurs, Vilahamn feels what their rivals are doing by regularly selling out the men's stadium this season should serve as inspiration for his club.

On returning to the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium, he said: "I think that is very positive news because we want to play more games there.

"After the first game against Arsenal, we want to get back and show our fans we can raise that number and play good football.

"It's a derby against a good team so it will be a good game and I am very pleased to get back there.

"I think you understand that women's football is in the beginning of its phase to grow and you see now the Lionesses filling out Wembley, Australia filling their stadium, you see Arsenal and in Sweden we have Hammarby doing the same.

"You can inspire each other and you can find ways to make sure we develop that.

"I think we have grown as well. The game we had at the stadium was a really good atmosphere.

"We need to look at it as not competition but actually to inspire each other and I think everyone wants that, right?

"More fans at the stadium, more games at the big stadiums."

Vilahamn's side host Manchester City in the Women's FA Cup quarter-finals at Brisbane Road on Sunday.