Frida Maanum says the next game is always the most important as we take on OH Leuven in the second leg of the UEFA Women’s Champions League quarter-final play-offs on Wednesday.
We go into the tie 4-0 up on aggregate but supporters should not expect any complacency from our Gunners, who are fully focused on getting the job done to reach the quarter-finals against Chelsea.
“For me in my head, this is the most important game right now, the game that’s right in front of us and that’s tomorrow against Leuven, that’s the only thing in my head and obviously we want to put in a professional and good performance and get the win,” Frida Maanum said in her pre-match press conference.”
Asked about last season’s Champions League success, and if the players have spoken to this season’s signings about it much, she added: “I would say we spoke about it quite a lot in the beginning of the season. And then it's obviously a new season, new goals, and we want to win that trophy again.
“But I think it's always nice to reflect on it as a team, together with the girls and the staff as well. Look back at the pictures and see what we went through last season. I think that's a good reminder that we want to do it again this year.”
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Frida was also asked about finding form in a fluid forward line, what it’s like to link up with different players, and the partnership she’s been developing with Olivia Smith.
“I love playing with a lot of good players that we have at Arsenal, it’s easy to play with them,” she said. “They put me in good positions like the last game against Leuven, and yes, I think we’ve been ruthless in the way we attack, we’ve played with a lot of different players and I think that’s a strength of ours as well, to play with different players and connect them.
“For example Stina and Alessia are quite different in the nine position. I enjoy that challenge to play with different players, and like the last game, I connected well with Caitlin, so I think it’s a good challenge, like I said, and it’s fun.
“Olivia is a fantastic player, and a good combiner to play together with. She has excellent speed - like you’ve seen in our games before. So, like I said earlier, I think I enjoy playing with different kinds of players, and I think it’s a challenge to play with different kinds of players. I enjoy that process, and I’ve enjoyed playing with Olivia.”
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