Arsenal were 2-0 winners at West Ham on Sunday afternoon thanks to second half goals from Mariona (penalty) and Rosa Kafaji. Renee Slegers spoke to the press post-match, the first three questions are from Arseblog News.
On whether Arsenal had a plan to expose West Ham’s high defensive line…
Yeah they are very compact between their lines but you can see they play a high line at times without much pressure on the ball, we thought the space would be behind their lines. You see that especially in the first half that we tried to play into that.
On the quadruple substitution just before the hour mark and how it changed the game…
There is always a bit of pre-planning so we go through different scenarios, we are always prepared for the decisions we have to make, you have to make decisions in the middle of the game and if you are not prepared, emotions can take over. We go through with the players all these different scenarios, we knew they were going to play a role today but just not when it would happen in the game. Early in the second half we felt like it was right to make those changes.
On Leah Williamson being an unused sub and not being involved in the pre-match warm up…
We are just managing her, she has played a lot of minutes, it has been a big block for us so we are just managing her.
On the emotions after a big week…
A lot of emotions, we have been sad as a team. What we have dealt with really well is the uncertainties ahead, we stayed in the moment and the players have done that really well. The players got themselves together and spoke about what they could do to help the team and the club and they have done that really well.
On the relief of winning her two games in charge so far…
It is what we wanted, we knew we had these two games ahead of us and we wanted to win them both and we have to be happy with it.
On Rosa Kafaji coming on to score her first Arsenal goal…
For players it is a big step to come to a club like Arsenal, adjusting to a different environment and team and adjusting to the tempo of the league and we have respected that players need that time. But Rosa is adjusting really well and I am very happy for her to score her first goal today.
On how the players have responded to her…
I only have praise, because I know it is hard for them so I am very happy for them. They took accountability, they took responsibility and they did it so it was about staying in the moment and they did it.
On the subs making a big impact…
You always want to believe the players will have an impact when you bring them on, I am very happy for them, it is a big squad with a lot of good players so I am always happy when players come on and have a big impact.
On whether she is enjoying being the Head Coach…
I always enjoy working with this staff and with the team, I enjoy solving the puzzles that are in front of us in the game.
14.van Domselaar; 2.Fox (62.Reid ‘89), 5.L.Codina, 7.Catley, 11.McCabe; 10.Little(c) (32.Cooney-Cross ‘58), 13.Walti; 19.Foord (9.Mead ‘58), 12.L.Maanum (25.Blackstenius ‘58), 8.Mariona; 23.Russo (16.Kafaji ‘58).
Unused: 1.Zinsberger, 6.Williamson, 17.Hurtig, 22.Kuhl.
Grand job, Renee Slegers. It wasn’t working, you changed it and we were immediately more threatening.
Well done to the players.
That last half hour gave me a lot of hope. And it was fun to watch.
Yes the final half hour was enjoyable. If we can play like that from the start perhaps many of the matches will be won by half time so we don’t have to work so hard!
A very good win if we isolate the score line. We still moved the ball too slow especially in the first half. On to the next game after the interlull! COYGG!!
Good work all round, Renee. Well done AWFC
They could ask the players if they prefer a male or female coach. This was questioned at Chelsea and they preferred a woman. This is a non-sexist opinion.
I think the former coach would never have made such a change. The quadruple made a difference. The timing was also very favorable for the change. It became more offensive, which was great to see.
Yes, I agree it seemed quite significant that RS made a quadruple sub at 60 minutes. It was bold. Even better that she took off *all* the players that were having a bad day at the office. It was a good signal to the squad that we had to get the win, come what may.
Well, that was nail biting at times. First half was Jonas-core football and it’s no surprise the same midfield started. I don’t know how many times I have to say it but this team does not have the capacity to carry a Little-Walti pivot anymore. The former has simply lost it at the elite level and the latter is having to do a lot. Add a Frida Maanum that can’t pick a pass, can’t link up properly, and can’t win physical duels to the mix and you have a recipe for disaster. Again for the umpteenth time, Frida and Russo… Read more »
Well the first hour of the game is an hour of my life I’ll never get back! Any how well done Renee Slegers for making the change. Thought Stina and Rosa made a real difference. Rosa’s goal was lovely all round with the ball put through by Mariona to the exquisite finish. Rosa is going to be a real player, the ball she attempted from the left wing for Stina in the inside left channel with the outside of her right foot a few minutes after the goal was outrageous and if she starts executing those passes, defences will be… Read more »
Spot on about Rosa Kafaji. I’m torn between 🤨 and 😲, sometimes!
Two wins from two, a week of high drama – mostly off the pitch and everyone can take a much needed breather during the break. West Ham were disciplined and made it really difficult for the first hour. It looked like a carbon copy of previous low block games where’s there’s a lot of huff and puff with no real threat at their goal. If you don’t get the early goal and disrupt the opposition game plan then it’s refresh the team with the subs to go again against a tiring team, there’s nothing to suggest that wasn’t part of… Read more »
I really think we need to get actual quality defenders. It’s no coincidence that we concede anytime we play the big teams. Shipped 5 vs Bayer, 2 vs Chelsea and City. Our clean sheets tend to come vs the smaller teams. I simply don’t trust Codina in the long term. She has this main character syndrome in her play that makes her make unnecessary mistakes and when it gets really physical, she’s lacking. Lotte is Lotte, could be solid for majority of a game but will make the wildest mistake from nowhere. Ilestedt was never the long term solution. Need… Read more »
I’d agree, the midfield hasn’t always offered the best protection and the players we have at CB don’t scream top tier, some have flaws that are on show a little too often to compete at the top table especially now as we aren’t scoring enough goals.
Vicky was meant to be Kim’s understudy but of course the injury has put paid to that for the season. I’m not sure the management will be rushing to bring in another with KCC also on the books. Finding another Wally is going to be the challenge!
Mmm! Says something when you are starting one of the world’s best left backs (not necessarily my opinion but that is what we were told when she arrived!) at centre back. To be fair she seemed to be better there as she wasn’t being caught out of position up the pitch like when she plays left back. I would like to see Katie Reid get the starting nod more often. She may be young and inexperienced but give her a run in the team and she’ll still be young but have a lot more experience by the end of the… Read more »