Arsenal’s interim head coach Renée Slegers says that she will do everything in her power to help her side top their UEFA Women’s Champions League group.
The Gunners have travelled to Oslo for their Matchday 5 fixture against Vålerenga this evening. Arsenal sit in second place in their group after four rounds of matches, one point behind leaders Bayern Munich.
Arsenal have already secured their place in the quarter-finals but interim boss Slegers is keen to guide her side to the top of the group.
“We presented the key objectives for the block and we’re happy to have qualified for the Champions League, but we want to go and try and get the first spot above Bayern Munich and there are still more games to play,” Slegers said when speaking in the pre-match press conference. “I’m going to try and do everything within our control to try and get there.”
The reverse fixture against Vålerenga saw Arsenal come away with a 4-1 win at The Emirates Stadium. Despite being rooted to the bottom of the group, Slegers believes that the Norwegians will be tough opponents in Oslo.
She said “They are a super-disciplined team, I think whatever phase they are in, they go 100% and their high press is very aggressive. I think whatever they do in the game, they do well. They seem invested in their game and togetherness as a team.”
It has been reported that over 4,000 tickets have been sold for the match with 1,000 tickets being allocated to Arsenal fans. The strong support from the away section has not gone unnoticed by Slegers.
She said “There’s going to be 1,000 fans in the away section, some local fans, but also travelling fans. I think it’s fantastic that people invest so much time, money and effort into coming to see us and supporting us.
“We said to the players ‘let’s deliver a good performance again because all these people are here to watch it’.”
Arsenal’s UEFA Women’s Champions League group stage fixture at Vålerenga kicks-off at 5.45pm this evening.
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Chloe Reynolds
I am a content creator and reporter for WSL Full-Time. I primarily cover clubs playing in the North West.