ARSENAL legend Rachel Yankey is hoping for an attacking final today to inspire the next generation of girls to pursue a career in football.

Yankey, who won the FA Women’s Cup nine times, will not feature for Arsenal today as she is currently on loan at Notts County but is expecting a flurry of goals at Wembley.

The Football Association has offered free tickets to under-16s this afternoon and Yankey, who spends a lot of time working with kids in north London, hopes that those in the stands are inspired to follow in the paths of those on the pitch.

She said: “I work in quite a few schools around the area so I’m trying to educate and inform the kids that they can get down to Wembley and cheer on their favourite team.

“We have a few Arsenal supporters and a few Chelsea so there’s a bit of rivalry there in the schools.

“I think it’s fantastic to get the information out to the youngsters because that’s the future of the game, trying to show the qualities that the players have and show really how good women’s football is.

“We’re on a massive stage and that’s the right time to get the kids — boys and girls — down to watch football and enjoy themselves.”

Yankey has enjoyed a stellar career, representing England 129 times and picking up a number of winners medals for Arsenal.

However, she recalls struggling to find a girls’ team, having been forced to play in a boys team, and hopes the increased profile of the women’s game can make it easier for the next generation to find a girls’ team.

“The first thing which is quite difficult is finding a team,” she said.

“It’s probably slightly easier for boys because there’s quite a lot of information out there at local boys’ clubs.

“For girls it’s slightly more difficult and that’s why it’s a great to fund WSL teams, to help get young girls into clubs and to create new girls’ teams.

“Anybody that might want to play football — even if they’ve never kicked a ball — it doesn’t matter about their standard. It’s about giving them coaching sessions and giving them a sense of ownership and making them feel part of something.

“Definitely when I was a kid that was lacking, the ‘where do I go? How do I get into something?’ That’s really important.”