Duffy wants Blues Shield success

Duffy (left) spent most of last season on the sidelines with injury

Everton Ladies captain Leanne Duffy believes the Blues can defeat Arsenal to lift the FA Women's Community Shield on Thursday.

The midfielder says the gap between the sides is closing after their win over Gunners in the League Cup final.

"The last few times we've played them we've felt that we're getting closer," Duffy told BBC Radio Merseyside.

"We beat them in the League Cup final which has given us all a bit of confidence and a bit of extra belief."

The Everton skipper also wants her team-mates to remember and learn from their last meeting in the Community Shield, when they slipped to a 3-0 defeat by Arsenal in 2006.

"We were a bit slow getting out of the blocks last time. In the second half I think we played well against them but it was too late we were 2-0 down already by then.

"So this time we've got to go from the off really - put in a good performance and put our stall out."

The Gunners have been so dominant in the women's game and Duffy says Everton need to show they have the ability and they can repeat their recent success.

"Nobody will be at their peak fitness, but we're all eager to prove that the League Cup win wasn't a one-off. But we need to put a performance to prove that."