The Gunners will head into the first leg of the most highly anticipated Champions League semi-final against Lyon with all the momentum. The match, scheduled for Saturday at 12:30 PM at the Emirates Stadium, marks a significant moment in the club’s season. The Gunners have taken command over their opponents lately, winning their last eight matches in all competitions. They’ve proven their might with a staggering combined score of 31-2 at home!
Since Renee Slegers came on board in October, Arsenal has gone through a drastic makeover. The overall result has been the most cohesive, focused, and dangerous US performance we’ve ever seen – a mix of tactical maturity and attacking flair. Under Slegers’ guidance, Arsenal has displayed the ability to switch between a high-pressing style and a more measured approach when facing pressure from opponents.
From Arsenal FC’s head coach Jonas Eidevall, she’s empowered and encouraged creativity in her players. Most importantly, they’ve been allowed to express themselves on the pitch, take players on 1v1 and use the flair of their game. Slegers works in tandem with impact subs and game-changers like Caitlin Foord and Chloe Kelly. Combined, they raise the players’ imagination level in the team’s attacking gameplan.
The team’s attacking approach has been more and more multifaceted, as was on full display in their 5-1 win over Leicester City last week. This dominant interval performance showcased Arsenal’s attacking prowess and provided a great confidence boost going into the UEFA Women’s Champions League Group Stage showdown with Lyon on the horizon. Slegers has studied sporting actions of athletes such as Mariona Caldentey and Frida Maanum. Her goal is to inform her team’s creative process with these learnings.
Arsenal’s successful run this calendar year has positioned them as the top team in terms of points and goals scored in the Women’s Super League (WSL). With a win ratio of 86.6 percent, Slegers holds the highest win percentage of any Arsenal head coach who has managed ten or more WSL games. She creates a mutually beneficial highway of trust with the students. This produces a climate in which they’re comfortable to take purposeful risks.
Slegers appreciates the passion and emotional energy that fans infuse into games, but doesn’t want that to make its way down to the field. This is her philosophy about staying calm and collected, which she feels is essential for problem solving on the court.
“If we don’t stay calm, we’re not going to find the solutions,” – Renee Slegers
The first leg against Lyon will be another crucial test as Arsenal continue their pursuit of European silverware. Slegers is adamant that her side cannot get too comfortable in possession when faced with a powerful opponent like Lyon.
“We stay very calm and focus on the task in the present. Emotions aren’t going to help us,” – Renee Slegers
Because to me, the psychological side of the game is just as important as the tactical side. Slegers knows her players need to find that confidence within themselves, but stay composed when the moment gets intense.
“I want to empower the players, make them believe in their strengths and what they can do,” – Renee Slegers
Arsenal are feeling very prepared ahead of this pivotal match. Their fans are dreaming, convinced that the team’s recent resurgence can take them all the way past Lyon to a Champions League final. High-level strategic foresight, player empowerment, and grassroots, strong, vocal fan support form an incredibly potent trifecta. Together, they hope to take that new momentum and success a step further.
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