Two-goal hero Jordan Nobbs feels Arsenal’s Continental Cup triumph has sent out a message that they remain a force to be reckoned with.

The Gunners beat Notts County 3-0 in Sunday’s final to win the trophy for the fourth time in five years – and avoid finishing the season empty-handed.

It is more than a decade since Arsenal last failed to win any silverware in a season and they maintained that record, largely thanks to a first-half double from player of the match Nobbs.

Her goals sandwiched the sending-off of Notts County captain Laura Bassett, while substitute Chioma Ubogagu’s late strike sealed Arsenal’s success.

“It’s been a tough time for us,” Nobbs admitted. “It was disappointing to finish third in the league, so to win that trophy was crucial. We need to make sure we’re not coming third in the league again next year.

“We don’t feel like we’ve let anybody down, but we really needed to come home with that trophy to show to everyone that we’re still fighting for every single thing.

“I’m very proud of what we’ve done as a team in this tournament and I was very determined to get a goal – luckily two of them have come off. The three we scored show how determined we were to win the trophy.”

The Magpies were quickest to settle into their rhythm at Rotherham’s New York Stadium, and Bassett could have opened the scoring after 10 minutes when she found space, but was denied by Sari van Veenendaal.

However, Nobbs put the Gunners ahead midway through the first half, racing in from the right to collect Dominique Janssen’s through ball and slot in from a tight angle.

Bassett then saw red in the 34th minute for her lunging tackle on Vicky Losada which, although she got the ball, was deemed reckless by referee Jane Simms.

Nobbs doubled Arsenal’s lead four minutes before the break, unleashing a rising drive into the top corner from 25 yards – but Rachel Williams might have reduced the deficit with a header against the crossbar soon afterwards.

Desiree Scott also went close for Notts County when she volleyed over in the second half.

However, Ubogagu clinched the Gunners’ win in stoppage time with a superb solo goal, cutting in from the left flank and sending a low finish beyond England goalkeeper Carly Telford.