Arsenal Ladies won an unprecedented four major honours last season - the Premier League National Division, Premier League Cup, FA Cup and UEFA Cup. They look equally as strong this term and it is no surprise that most of their first-team regulars are England internationals.

No fewer than eight Arsenal players started England's friendly match with Norway in Cyprus yesterday. This is the most from one club since the FA took over the running of the England women's team in 1993 - and could easily be an all-time record.

It's better than the men's record too. Coincidentally, Arsenal supplied seven players to the England team that played Italy at Highbury in 1934.

Ron Greenwood almost equalled that total for his first match in charge, a Wembley friendly against Switzerland in 1977. He chose six Liverpool players in his starting line-up - plus Kevin Keegan, who had just left Merseyside for SV Hamburg.

Hope Powell's England beat the Norwegians 2-1 and these eight Arsenal players were on the pitch for the kick-off: Alex Scott, Faye White, Mary Phillip, Anita Asante, Kelly Smith, Karen Carney, Lianne Sanderson and Rachel Yankey.

Victory could have been by a wider margin but for some off-target finishing and good saves by Norway goalkeeper Christine Nilsen. But Powell was more than satisfied with her team's performance and result.

"It was a very competitive game," said Powell, "with the momentum going back and forth. But we were diligent, we worked really hard and it was a very good collective performance by the girls.

"We've beaten a world class team who are in the top five of the FIFA rankings, and although I wouldn't say we outplayed them I felt we were worthy winners of an excellent game and a very tough test for us."