Arsenal Women coach Renée Slegers
Image credit: Getty Images
Arsenal Women’s interim manager Renée Slegers has praised her team’s 3-1 victory over Valerenga as the perfect preparation for their upcoming top-of-the-table clash against Bayern Munich in the Champions League.
Slegers, who has guided Arsenal to six consecutive wins across all competitions, reflected on the professionalism of her side as they set their sights on securing first place in Group C.
“I’m very happy with the win,” Slegers said. “We went for a win to set ourselves up for a decisive game against Bayern at Boreham Wood. I’m very happy for the girls. There were some new partnerships on the pitch and players in new positions towards the end of the game. We managed it really well, so I think it was a very professional win from the team.”
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One notable debut in the reshuffled lineup was 18-year-old Katie Reid, who made her first professional start at full-back. Slegers spoke highly of Reid and the academy’s progress in developing young talent.
Renée Slegers
Interim Arsenal Women’s coach Renée Slegers (Image credit: Getty Images)
“I’ve been here for a little more than a year, and I see how the academy players are developing. It’s getting stronger and stronger, better and better, with players coming through,” she said. “Katie and Freya [Gibbings] have been with us for a while, training day in and day out. They’ve shown they deserve these opportunities. Katie did really well starting for us today, and we felt this was the right game to give Freya an opportunity, too.”
Looking ahead to Arsenal’s quick turnaround with a trip to Liverpool looming, Slegers emphasised the team’s focus on recovery and maintaining momentum.
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“We don’t have a choice; it’s coming so quickly,” she admitted. “We’ve already spoken about recovery, and the girls are doing what they need to do, even minutes after the game, to get ready for Liverpool. If it comes so quickly, you have no time to think—it’s Liverpool.”
Slegers also praised the unwavering support of the Arsenal fans, over 1,000 of whom braved freezing conditions in Oslo to cheer on the team.
“I think we are outstanding as a club,” she said. “If I look around, we have the best fans—they’re always traveling in big numbers. It gives the team so much. I know the girls appreciate it, and they’re privileged to share this with so many people. I think that’s fantastic.”
With the Valerenga victory behind them and confidence running high, Arsenal now turn their attention to domestic and European challenges as they continue their impressive run under Slegers’ leadership.
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