Renee Slegers, head coach of 1st-place Arsenal, emphasizes the importance of her team remaining mentally locked in. They are now, however, preparing for a pivotal fixture against old rivals Manchester City. The season may be very young, but Slegers has her sight set high. She’s tuning out the press and outside critics and focusing on just improving her team’s performance.
For her part, Slegers doesn’t allow her players to discuss any outside criticism among themselves. Instead, she implores them to keep their heads down and work hard in their training and sharpen the tactical pieces of their game. That’s not the kind of talk we do here,’ ” she recalled, doubling down on her message to maintain a togetherness over all-star team approach.
As Arsenal prepare to face Liverpool on Sunday, Slegers cautions against overanalysing results after their recent home draw with Aston Villa. In a dramatic finish, Lucy Parker equalized for Arsenal in the 94th minute, providing a moment of relief but highlighting areas for improvement.
Slegers used this example to stress the need for sustained, long-term action. He said their preparation for the weekend game would be greatest true measure of their labor and that’s where their attention ought to be. She understands that even when feeling squeezed by outside influences, the goals of the team should always come first.
His tendency to simplify and narrativize was evident when he emphasized in training the importance of carving out a clinical touch. Slegers knows that standout performances are a must, particularly with just a seven-day turnaround in-between fixtures. So we have to be really, really, really sharp on the pitch,” she emphasized. She emphasized the need to sharpen their craft before going up against the big fish.
While some questioned her unconventional coaching style, Slegers has continued to stand tall in her philosophy. Realistically, she doesn’t think it’s too early in the season. She’s hopeful that results will start to pick up when the team has had time to gel. Like every team of such high caliber, Arsenal has been playing under a regime of high expectations and therefore play under a magnifying glass.
Slegers’s confidence is bolstered by key players such as Mariona Caldentey, who has been pivotal in Arsenal’s early games, participating in all but 11 minutes across four matches. Continuity will be vital for them as they prepare to take on champions Manchester City. They can draw on a fine recent record against City – they’ve lost just one of their last eight league encounters.
Looking forward to their next match against City, Slegers recognizes what a difference that could make as far as standings go. A defeat would leave Arsenal seven points adrift of Chelsea—the league leaders—putting even more pressure on her squad. Second, she remains focused on her team’s outcomes. She told us that it’ll take continued focus to make it through the eye of the storm on this one.
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