Arsenal women show their depth with statement win ahead of European showdown | OneFootball

Slegers lauds her squad as Arsenal sweep past Leicester and shift their focus to the looming challenge of Lyon in the Champions League semi-final.

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Arsenal dismantled Leicester City 5–1 at the Emirates on Tuesday night, trimming the gap to Chelsea at the top to three points, although they now have a game in hand.

Speaking post-match, Renée Slegers was unequivocal about what pleased her most. “The first game of the block is always a challenging one because everyone comes back from the national teams, been in different continents, played different styles of football with other players,” she said.

“So we had three sessions, which were very good sessions, by the way, but then still going into that first game and then delivering this and showing such togetherness and cohesion, that’s what I’m most happy with.”

Stina Blackstenius scored her fourth league goal of the season and set up one of Caitlin Foord’s two strikes, ending a two-month scoring drought in style. But it was far from a solo performance. Arsenal were relentless and incisive all over the pitch. “There are a couple of things that she does, out of possession, that on such a high level today,” Slegers said of Blackstenius. “The way she comes back in double defence, how hard she works in counter pressure… she can impact so much.”

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Slegers was quick to emphasise this was not a warm-up for Lyon. “We have to object this for the block and one of them is to get four out four in the WSL. This was part of that objective and we made the first step today, so this had nothing to do with Lyon,” she said.

But the reality is that Lyon now looms.

The return of Victoria Pelova on the scoresheet added another reason to celebrate. Her goal, her first since returning from injury, was met with joy from teammates and staff alike. “She came back from a long-term injury and the players have been supporting her all the way… it’s so nice to see how happy the other players are for her,” said Slegers.

“She loves football. She loves playing football… and now, all of a sudden she had to be in the gym, working hard, without a ball… she says, ‘I appreciate being able to play football even more now.’”

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The way Arsenal varied their attacking play also caught the eye. Although Leicester attempted to press high, Slegers said her team adapted seamlessly. “A way to not play against a low block is to use other moments to attack… that second goal, which is a great team goal, it’s a faster attack, so we try to find other ways to play against these teams.”

The performance of Mariona Caldentey, once again operating centrally, drew particular praise. “She’s a very good player herself, but she makes everyone around her better as well,” Slegers said. “She recognises overload, she recognises the right pass… having her in the middle of the pitch, being able to impact so much of our game and being creative in those moments from central areas, I think has been very positive for us.”

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There were standout contributions across the board. Kim Little, having trained through the break rather than joining up with her national team, was “so good for us,” said Slegers. “She’s been really, really good in training as well… Kim is 100% in everything she does, and that’s why she’s at such a high level consistently.”

Looking ahead to Lyon, Arsenal could welcome back some injured players. Asked whether Alessia Russo and Chloe Kelly would be available, Slegers said: “It’s looking very good for the two, yes.” That said, “the health of a player always comes first,” she added. “We would never, as a club, take any risks that aren’t fair to the player.”

The Gunners have now won seven straight league matches and the gap to Chelsea has ignited a very slim hope that four more wins could bring an unlikely title. But, for now, attention turns to Europe’s most decorated side. “We are also realistic and we understand that the challenge on Saturday is going to go up a couple of levels,” said Slegers.

But with a squad this sharp, this deep, and this focused, it is Arsenal who are looking up.