Renée Slegers continued her impressive tenure as interim Arsenal Women’s manager with a commanding 3-1 victory over Vålerenga in Oslo, extending her side’s winning streak to six games in all competitions.
Since taking over from Jonas Eidevall in October, Slegers has built significant momentum, guiding Arsenal to the cusp of securing top spot in Group C of the Women’s Champions League.
Faced with sub-zero temperatures and a tricky away fixture, Slegers’ tactical nous was on full display. Arsenal were already assured of a place in the quarter-finals, but Slegers demanded more from her team to keep the pressure on group leaders Bayern Munich. Two goals from Alessia Russo and a superb strike from Frida Maanum ensured Arsenal’s win, setting up a decisive clash against Bayern next week.
Slegers’ starting XI featured five changes from the weekend victory over Aston Villa, including a full debut for 18-year-old Katie Reid at full-back. Despite an early lapse by goalkeeper Manuela Zinsberger that handed Vålerenga’s Olaug Tvedten a chance, Arsenal quickly found their rhythm. Russo opened the scoring in the 25th minute with a curling strike after excellent work by Maanum, a goal that underlined Slegers’ faith in her attacking trio.
The Gunners doubled their lead before halftime when Caitlin Foord set up Maanum, who marked her return to Oslo with a composed finish. Despite a scare for Russo, who required treatment after a late challenge, Arsenal emerged from the break with renewed energy. Russo added her second in the 58th minute, volleying home Foord’s pinpoint cross to seal the win.
Post-match, Slegers praised her team’s professionalism and the impact of new faces. “I’m very happy with the win,” she said. “We went for a win, we wanted to set ourselves up for a decisive game against Bayern at Boreham Wood. I’m very happy for the girls. Some new partnerships on the pitch and some new positions again at the end of the game as well. We managed it really well, so I think again a very professional win from the team.”
Slegers also highlighted the contributions of academy players like Reid, reflecting on the club’s growing depth. “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, and players are coming through. Katie and Freya have been with us for a while. They train with us day in, day out. They’ve shown in our training environment that they deserve these opportunities and they’re ready to go. I think you could see that with Katie Reid today, starting for us, she did really well. We felt this was the right game to give Freya the opportunity, as well.”
The traveling Arsenal fans, who braved Oslo’s freezing temperatures, played their part in the victory, debuting a new song for Slegers to the tune of Wham!’s Last Christmas with the lyrics“Last Christmas, I gave you my heart, but the very next day, you gave it away. This year, to save me from tears, I’ll give it to Renee Slegers”. Slegers expressed her gratitude: “I think we are outstanding as a club. If I look around, we have the best fans, they’re always travelling in big numbers. It gives the team so much. I know the girls appreciate it. They are privileged to be able to share this with so many people. I think that’s fantastic.”
Under Slegers, Arsenal have won eight of their nine matches, blending tactical discipline with attacking flair. The team now faces a quick turnaround with a domestic trip to Liverpool before hosting Bayern in a clash that will decide Group C. However, Slegers remains unfazed. “It’s coming so quickly. We’ve already spoken about recovery. The girls are doing what they need to do already now, minutes after the game, to get ready for Liverpool. I think that’s the advantage you have. If it comes so quickly, you have no time to think. It’s Liverpool.”
With Slegers at the helm, Arsenal are thriving, combining youthful promise with seasoned experience. Her ability to manage rotations while maintaining the team’s high standards has earned widespread admiration. As the decisive Bayern showdown looms, Slegers’ remarkable run has given Arsenal every reason to believe in European glory this season.
However, whether or not the club will give her the chance to see it through to the end remains in doubt.
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