Arsenal topped their UWCL group with a dramatic 3-2 home win over Bayern Munich on Wednesday evening. Leah Williamson came through the mixed zone after the game. The sixth question is from Arseblog News.
Her thoughts on the game…
It was very dramatic, with all the wind and the rain. We know that in the first game we didn’t represent ourselves in the best way, we had to go for the win and that’s what we got.
On the work Renee Slegers has done since taking interim charge…
We just took it back to basics, when you don’t have a set manager and you have an interim, everyone becomes more accountable and everybody has to step up. Everybody is pulling their weight a bit more and maybe we needed that, you’ve seen a different side because we as players have taken more responsibility and she has just encouraged everyone to be themselves, we found a way that fits everybody and taken advantage of that.
On topping the group…
It is something we came here to do tonight so we are happy to tick off another target. We had two targets at the beginning of the block and we ticked them both. It puts us in good stead, we wanted to win the group and we did.
On whether this felt like a statement win…
It was a dramatic scoreline last time, we didn’t show a good side of ourselves because we just let the game go and we didn’t stay in it. At one point, we were 2-2 away from home, which isn’t terrible and all of a sudden we unravelled, we haven’t looked like that team since. We dominated most games, some games you’ve got to fight a bit harder, some games have been a bit scrappy like the last two but I think you are seeing the best of the players we have in the right moments and it all came together this evening.
On being unbeaten for the last 11 games of 2024…
It is so important, momentum creates momentum. We are setting a standard and trying to go higher, we are not happy with it but it is much easier to review and pick at your performances when you are winning. You win, you can rotate the team, good scorelines, everyone gets their rightful minutes because everyone deserves to play and then you move on.
On whether she felt like Arsenal were going to win after Russo’s equaliser…
Yes, this team at the minute I always feel like we’re going to score, even when we’re not playing the prettiest football. That turnaround, everyone being accountable and stepping up and doing their jobs. My job in the end is to make sure they don’t score again and then the other girls have the freedom to do what they needed. I am happy because we won the setpiece battle today which we didn’t do last time, evidently.
On playing in the intimate atmosphere at Boreham Wood…
I think it is really special. You play teams sometimes and they are notorious for having a really good set of away fans or there are certain teams you want to play because you want to experience their atmosphere, I think we are one of those teams now. It is incredible and it only dawned on me in the warm-up when I couldn’t hear myself think. This ground allows that, we’re very close to them, we can feel them and you want to give back to the fans, especially when they’re that close and you can celebrate with them, it feels a lot nicer than just winning.
On how much the conditions played a part in Bayern’s setpiece goals…
We are not happy with conceding two but eventually we tipped it, but I hate to use excuses but it was hard. It was hard for both teams and we knew that so we knew we had to take advantage with ours and do our best defensively. I am disappointed we conceded in the second phase, that’s what disappointed me today.
On whether Renee Slegers should get the job permanently…
Right now, we have been zeroing in on the games but I am so happy coming into work but I am so happy it is not my decision or not my role!
