Gillingham Women’s manager Josh Oatham says this Sunday’s match against Arsenal is their cup final.

Super League Arsenal host Gillingham in the fourth round of the Women’s FA Cup.

An extra-time victory over Cheltenham put the Gills through to face the Gunners in round four.

“It was a big carrot, knowing we could play Arsenal,” said Gillingham boss Oatham.

“That’s our final on Sunday, we will see where we go from there. We are not going to turn up and be fans for the day, we will go and imprint our thoughts on the game and go and attack it the best way we can do.

“We know they have got internationals, we know they are the best team in terms of English football, we are just going to enjoy it but tackle it the best way we can.”

Oatham hopes the game is another step in the right direction for the developing side, one who are now independent from the men’s side.

The manager said: “We have to be boring about it, it is just another game, it is another opportunity for us to build for next season.

“I said to the ladies, we are back for six weeks, we are in week three now, we have three more weeks after the Arsenal game to put the building blocks in for next season.

“The most important thing for me is to see the development of the group, and we have certainly seen that over the course of the season, that is what makes me really proud."

Vicky Ashton-Jones is one of the players looking ahead to the clash.

She said: “I don’t think there are words to describe it, it will be such an amazing experience for the girls, it is a once in a lifetime game.

“What an opportunity, it is a case of giving it our all, leaving nothing in the tank and doing ourselves proud.

“We need to compete, if we do that and do ourselves proud what more can you ask? Competing from the first to the 90 and we will see where we get ourselves.”

Fellow player Georgia Pearch added: “We want to give it our best shot, that is all we can do, the result is not my biggest concern. It will be amazing for myself, I can’t wait, playing a full time professional team will be a great experience. I look up to a lot of those players and it will be a great experience.”