Arsenal head coach Renée Slegers urges for more investment and research into ACL prevention following the club’s recent injury cluster.
On Wednesday evening, Arsenal continue their bid to retain theUEFA Women’s Champions League title as they travel to Germany to face Bayern Munich, who were humbled 7–1 by Barcelona in their last European outing. The Bavarians have since suffered another blow, with Lena Oberdorf joining Sarah Zadrazil on the sidelines after a second ACL injury. With Arsenal’s Katie Reid and Michelle Agyemang also recently sidelined by the same injury, head coach Renée Slegers’ pre-match press conference was dominated by discussions around the growing ACL crisis.
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“We need to keep investing in research” on ACL injuries says Renée Slegers
Over the last few months, there have been a number of high-profile ACL injuries – and neither Arsenal nor Bayern have been spared. For the Gunners, young centre-back Katie Reid suffered a tear in training this week, whilst Michelle Agyemang (on loan to Brighton) had an ACL tear during England’s recent win over Australia. For Bayern, the injuries have come in midfield. Austrian Sarah Zadrazil earlier this season suffered a cruciate ligament tear, closely followed by Lena Oberdorf – who had only just returned from her first ACL tear.
Slegers was of course disappointed for Reid, however, was impressed with the youngster’s response to the injury.
“It’s horrible, especially for her,” the head coach said. “She started the season so well for us. Considering her age, how mature she is, and the way she’s been growing every single day within the group, it’s really disappointing for her. She’s realised a lot during her rehab, but it’s still very tough.
“She’s been with us over the past few days, and the surgery is planned – she’ll move forward from there. I spoke with her yesterday, and she said she wants to use this time to continue growing as a football player. That says everything about Katie, but of course, it’s very disappointing.”
The head coach also called for further action when it comes to understanding the injury and how it can be prevented.
“I think the starting point is having as much awareness as possible about how we can prevent these injuries, and I believe everyone would agree on that.The club is very involved in these processes on a wider scale, which is important. Preventing these injuries is complex – it can come down to one small moment, and suddenly a player is out for 9 to 12 months. It has a huge impact on a player’s career.
“So, everything we can do on a broader level, through research and understanding is vital. That’s where it all starts. We need to keep investing in research, because the game is growing so quickly and constantly changing, and we have to evolve along with it.”
Arsenal head coach Slegers says I have a very high respect for Bayern”
Arsenal also faced Bayern in the group stage of last year’s competition, losing 5-2 away in what was arguably a turning point for then-manager Jonas Eidevall. On the return leg, the Gunners came from behind to eventually win 3-2 and top their group under the guidance of then-interim head coach Slegers.
Both teams started this season with new coaches at the helm; whilst Slegers took over from Eidevall last October, Bayern’s Alexander Straus left the club for Los Angeles in the summer, with Jose Barcala stepping into the role. Whilst it is a new face in the opposition dugout, Slegers emphasised that much of the way the team from Germany play is still the same.
“[Bayern have] the same threat from set pieces for example, and then how they create. They are a really good team and they rotate and they try to create problems for the opposition,” she praised, adding that she has “a very high respect for Bayern because we know the last two games we played against them were very tight.”
The closest game was the 3-2 win over Bayern at home. Arsenal were 2-1 down before goals from Alessia Russo and Mariona Caldentey pushed them over the line, which Slegers sees as a pivotal part of their journey towards eventually winning the competition.
“Of course, that game was a big part of our Champions League journey. But it was also a major part of our journey as a team. For me, that game was crucial in understanding where we are, where our potential lies, and how far we’ve come,” she said.
She posited that the match did not only show Arsenal’s resilience in terms of football, but also considering the tough conditions of the match.
“Not just from a football perspective – I’ve always believed in this team and the quality we have – but the resilience we showed that day was incredible. We found a way to win in really tough conditions. It was raining, windy, and the opposition posed a real threat with set pieces, direct play, and their movement,” she reflected, adding that what was particularly pleasing was that “we dealt with it together as a team and managed to get the win over the line. It wasn’t always beautiful, but that made it such a crucial moment in our Champions League journey.”
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Lotte Wubben-Moy is “always ready to perform” praises Slegers
With a number of injuries across the backline, England’s Lotte Wubben-Moy has started to see more game-time. Once player of the season, Wubben-Moy has found game time harder to come by over the last year, not helped by injuries and illness. She started against Chelsea last weekend and put in a strong performance. Asked about the defender, her head coach emphasised the importance of always being ready to help the team.
“We have so many good players and then if you’re in a row of games where you haven’t played so much but then your moment comes, you have to be ready.” She went on to say that sometimes, “the team that starts the season is not the team that finishes the season, and we have all these moments in between. So I think it says everything about Lotte and her professionalism that she is always so ready to perform.”
Wubben-Moy has also found it difficult to get minutes for England, being a part of the squad for the last three tournaments without playing a minute. Whilst the recent games may have provided an opportunity (due to Williamson’s injury and Millie Bright’s retirement), she was forced to withdraw from camp due to illness. Slegers alluded to her mental strength – going from illness and a fringe role to playing one of the most high-profile games of the season (against Chelsea).
“If you see how she comes in because of course, she comes from being unwell, having to leave England camp, not ready for Leicester. Then stepping in a big game like Chelsea at the Emirates. I think it says it all, and it’s so deserved because she has this resilience and determination, and she’s always ready for the team. I’m really pleased with her. The role that she played for the team and also for her individually.”