The England midfielder Rachel Yankey is hoping to cap an eventful season with a trophy, when Arsenal Ladies take on Everton in the Women's FA Cup final on Monday.

The Gunners have been the dominant force in the women's game, but with long-standing manager Vic Akers stepping down last summer the London side found themselves searching for a new manager for the first time: Akers had formed the side back in 1987 and spent 22 years in charge.

It is a scenario they may revisit this summer. Tony Gervaise, the man who replaced Akers, quit in February claiming interference in team selection. Laura Harvey, Arsenal's Academy's assistant director, became the third manager of the side until the end of the season.

Having re-established the side as title challengers - the Gunners currently top the Women's Premier League, having replaced Leeds Carnegie last weekend - and lead them to Monday's final, she will hope to be given the job on a more permanent basis.

Yankey, 30, is one of few of England's big name players to still ply their trade in England. Kelly Smith, Karen Carney and Alex Scott have been among the Three Lionesses to depart the Gunners to turn professional in the United States.

For the midfielder Yankey, lifting the trophy at the City Ground would be the perfect end to a turbulent season.

"It would be fantastic. Especially this season because people have written us off and said we're not the team that we were," she told thefa.com.

"This season we have had a lot of changes, it's been quite difficult.. With the players that we've lost people need to give us a little bit of credit. To keep battling on and winning eight games in a row is pretty hard for any team to do but we seem to be doing that.