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Emma Hayes warns female footballers that they will face greater scrutiny from TV pundits and armchair fans...but insists it is necessary to be taken as seriously as the men

Emma Hayes has warned women footballers that they will now face added scrutiny from TV pundits and on social media – but the game needs it in order to be taken as seriously as the men's game.

The manager of reigning champions Chelsea takes her team to the Emirates Stadium for a London derby with Arsenal today, as the Women's Super League goes up a level through lucrative television and sponsorship deals.

Sky and the BBC will be showing between 50 and 60 live games per season in a deal worth £24m over the next three years, bringing a huge step-up in exposure.