Arsenal head coach Renee Slegers praised the mentality of her players after a strong second-half display saw them come from behind to beat Lyon 2-1 and take a slender lead from the first leg of their Women’s Champions League semi-final.
The French – beaten by the Gunners at the same stage of last season’s competition – took the lead in the 19th minute through a fine breakaway goal from Jule Brand.
Arsenal, though, regrouped for the second half and equalised through an own goal from Ingrid Engen following a mistake by Lyon goalkeeper Christiane Endler – who was then caught out again when Olivia Smith slotted in with seven minutes left.
It was an impressive turnaround as the Gunners achieved a first home win over Lyon, who had won their opening European fixture of this season’s league phase at Borehamwood in October.
“We got more pressure on the ball and we got more clarity on how we wanted to press and in what areas, that was the big outcome from the changing room at half-time, then we go out and do that with conviction,” Slegers said on BBC Two.
“It is only half-time (in the tie), but if you look at the game and how we prepared for the game, I think a lot of things played out as we as we prepared for it.
“We start quite well with the phase in the first half, where we would have wanted more aggression in our press, and we had some great solutions going on already in the first half with the players on the pitch.
“Then half-time was very productive as well, and I think you can see that in a way we come out in the second half.” Arsenal also still have domestic ambitions in the Women’s Super League, with leaders Manchester City having slipped to defeat against Brighton on Saturday.
Slegers was without Beth Mead because of personal reasons and also fellow England forward Chloe Kelly, who picked up a minor muscular problem, but feels there is plenty of depth in the squad.
“We have such a tight schedule, we need everybody ready to perform,” said Slegers, whose side return to WSL action against bottom club Leicester on Wednesday.
“We have players ready to perform, whether you start or you finish the game, or you play the next game, you are ready, and that is a huge strength that we have at the moment.”
PA