Arsenal Women boss Joe Montemurro highlighted the importance of winning the FA Cup to crown his side's season after they moved into the fifth round with a comprehensive 10-0 victory over Gillingham Ladies.
Jill Roord claimed a first-half hat-trick as Arsenal beat Gillingham 10-0 to reach the fifth round.
Roord scored the opener just seven minutes in after Gillingham goalkeeper Cara Davies palmed an effort from Kim Little into the path of the midfielder.
The Gunners got their second when Beth Mead's cross from the right floated past Davies and into the net before captain Little comfortably slotted the ball into the bottom corner after 15 minutes.
To celebrate her 100th appearance, the fourth of the afternoon came from Vivianne Miedema, who tapped a close-range shot home moments later, while Roord doubled her tally with a solo effort to make it 5-0.
Arsenal added their sixth just before half-time as Roord struck a powerful shot from the edge of the box to complete her hat-trick.
The Gunners made it seven after the restart as Anna Patten fired a close-range effort into the bottom corner for her first goal at the club.
Substitutes Danielle van de Donk and Jordan Nobbs came off the bench to guide Arsenal to their eighth and ninth goals of the game within the closing 20 minutes.
Arsenal made it to double figures in the final stages as Mead's deflected effort swung past Davies to complete the scoring as the cup record-holders progressed into the fifth round.
- Joe Montemurro's thoughts
Jill Roord completed a first-half hat-trick before a brace from Beth Mead and additional goals from Kim Little, Vivianne Miedema, Anna Patten, Danielle Van De Donk and Jordan Nobbs saw off the National League South side.
“Any tournament that we are always involved in, we want to win it,” said Montemurro, who is leaving the club at the end of the season.
“The FA Cup is a really important tournament because it gives the opportunities for even the smaller clubs to come and enjoy these occasions, to learn and grow by being part of it.
“There will be a challenge ahead and interesting results along the way.
“For us, it’s important to get our rhythm and to keep the goal against scenario to a minimum. We know our targets and can achieve those targets which will help grow mentally and tactically.
- Josh Oatham's thoughts
Gillingham manager Josh Oatham hailed his side's character in their performance despite the heavy defeat and said the players enjoyed the big occasion against 14-times winners Arsenal.
Oatham's side edged Cheltenham 2-1 in the third round last weekend to set up the Gunners tie.
He said: “We weren’t naïve. We done our preparation on Arsenal and looking at the way they played against Tottenham, it will be a similar story and they respected the game.
“To manage the game how we did and the character we showed, I can definitely take that away.
“We didn’t concede a set piece today which is fantastic. As a team, it is about showing our core values and the resilience we’ve showed in the games leading up to this.
“I am very proud of the journey and it’s another milestone for the club. The players deserved to play at this stage despite the associated lockdowns.”