‘We’re going to do absolutely everything’ – Arsenal aiming for strong finish says Slegers

‘We’re going to do absolutely everything’ – Arsenal aiming for strong finish says Slegers

Arsenal head coach Renée Slegers says that her side are aiming to finish the season strongly as they look to secure their place in next season’s UEFA Women’s Champions League.

The Gunners currently occupy third place in the Barclays Women’s Super League table. European qualification is very much in their own hands given their two-point and two-game advantage on Manchester United in fourth.

When speaking to the media ahead of this weekend’s fixture at Aston Villa, Arsenal boss Slegers said that the aim is to finish really well.

“We’re going to do absolutely everything,” Slegers said. “We have it as a target to get the Champions League spot for next year, but then also, at the same time, we put that pressure on ourselves to do that.

“We also have to be very aware that we have to be in the here and now and enjoy what we’re doing together because this group will never be the same again. There will be players and staff leaving at the end of the season, so we really want to cherish these moments that we have together and make the absolute most out of it.”

Opponents Aston Villa are in a patchy run of form but Slegers expects them to be eager to sign-off their home campaign with three points.

She said “What we expect from Villa, it’s their last home game for the season, so I think they’ll want to finish it well at home, in front of their own fans. What exactly they are going to present to us, let’s see both tactically and personnel-wise. Let’s see who’s available for them and how they’re going to attack the game.

“We’ll have to be dynamic, but we’ve been talking about focusing on our own game anyway because we’re so good when we’re at our best. We want to bring our own best game regardless of [the] opponent’s tactical plan, so doing our basics really well.”