Renee Slegers has confirmed that Arsenal Women’s leadership group consists of two captains – Kim Little and Leah Williamson – supported by senior players Steph Catley, Katie McCabe, and Lotte Wubben-Moy, who provide additional leadership when required.
While Catley wore the armband for Saturday’s draw with Chelsea, Slegers described it as both a formality and an important symbol, stressing that the team’s real strength lies in its collective commitment to taking responsibility on and off the pitch.
Speaking to the media ahead of Wednesday’s Champions League clash with Bayern Munich, Slegers said:
“We have two captains, and that’s Kim Little and Leah Williamson. And then we have supporting captains, and that’s Steph Catley, Katie McCabe and Lotte Wubben-Moy.
“So those are the players in the captaincy group, and someone will wear the armband, and it’s a formality, but it’s an important role to play, of course, on the pitch. But we have so much leadership in the team, so it’s really good to work with this team, and in the end, that’s everyone.
“I think that’s a strength of the team, is everyone is carrying responsibility and everyone needs to be accountable for things, and that’s the culture we want to create. But, of course, someone has to wear the armband, and you have to represent the club in a good way, and I’m so proud that we have so many leaders in the team.”
Asked what Catley in particular brings to the role, Slegers added:
“Everyone brings something unique, and that’s, I think, the nice thing about having so many different players in a squad, and then also, more specifically, in a captaincy group.
“What Steph does really well is she’s always very composed, calm. She’s role-modelling everything that we want from the players in the squad. She connects really well with other players, with all players in the squad, young, old, any background.
“And on the pitch, she’s a great communicator. She’s constantly communicating and instructing. So she has a lot of really good leadership qualities.”
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For more from Slegers’ press conference, check out her words of support for Katie Reid and Tim’s latest match preview, which includes her take on tomorrow night’s opponents.