Ahead of Arsenal’s Adobe Women’s FA Cup quarterfinal against Liverpool, boss Renée Slegers says her side will have to “problem solve” to get past the Reds. Two key England stars will be unavailable for the tie as Arsenal seek their 15th FA Cup, and first since 2016.
What did Renée Slegers say?
Sunday’s opponents Liverpool are sixth in the Barclays Women’s Super League and have sacked manager Matt Beard. Interim boss Amber Whiteley has won her first game in charge against Crystal Palace, and Slegers expects a different team to the one the Gunners narrowly beat in December.
“They changed formation and the way they did things in the game against Crystal Palace and we have to be ready to exploit that but at the same time we know they’ve been playing in another formation in a different style with Matt Beard, who has done an incredible job I think.
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“We’ll see what they think suits the game on Sunday, what they’re going to come with, and we pride ourselves on problem solving as a group, staff and players, so that’s something we’re going to have to do really well on Sunday.”
However, they will be without Lotte Wubben-Moy, who is still recovering from the injury that ruled her out of the last international break and last weekend’s win over West Ham. Chloe Kelly, who scored her first goal back at Arsenal last week, is cup-tied and will not be available. Lina Hürtig has been ill and is a doubt for the match.
Arsenal’s chaotic 4-3 comeback victory over the Hammers last week, Sleger says, was an encouraging sign of the team’s mentality.
“I think what’s been the main positive feedback from the West Ham game is that we have never been in this situation, where we are two goals down twice in a game and the girls showed that they can come back from those things.
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“Anyone can score against anyone, otherwise it wouldn’t be interesting to come and watch, but us coming back from those setbacks, I’m very happy with the mentality in the team at the moment.
“We want to make it 15 [FA Cup titles] so it’s definitely something that drives us forward but I don’t think knowing that and saying “I want to go for that” is going to make a difference, it’s the actions you do and the behaviours you show day in day out, in and around the training pitch, in and around the training ground that’s going to make the difference, that’s going to lead us to potentially having a bigger chance to winning trophies.”
Arsenal face Liverpool at Meadow Park on Sunday 9 March at 14:30 [GMT].
Anne Butzelaar
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