Arsenal’s head coach, Renée Slegers, has expressed her admiration for the London City Lionesses as they navigate their inaugural season in the Barclays Women’s Super League.
The Gunners are set to face The Pride at The Copperjax Community Stadium in Bromley this Sunday afternoon.
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In a pre-match press conference, Slegers commented on the impressive stability the Lionesses have demonstrated throughout their first top-flight campaign.
“They are currently very stable in the league standings,” Slegers noted. “It’s challenging to stabilize and make the right adjustments when moving up from WSL2, but they have managed to do that quite well.”
“Their strategy appears to have centered around recruiting experienced players to create a solid foundation in their first season within the WSL. They have high-quality talent and have established a strong position in the league.”
Arsenal previously defeated the Lionesses 4-1 in their earlier matchup, but Slegers anticipates a different challenge this time due to the club’s recent change in management.
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“Since their management change, they’ve shifted their approach. Looking back at our first encounter of the season at the Emirates, we don’t anticipate a repeat performance on Sunday, as their tactics have evolved. They may adopt a more positional and zonal defensive setup as opposed to a player-for-player strategy,” she explained.
“Moreover, considering the strengths of their players, they have effectively utilized fast attacks and counter-attacks. They’ve achieved narrow victories against top teams, showcasing their competence in those scenarios. Set-pieces will also play a crucial role in the game.”
The Lionesses have celebrated their first home sell-out in the Barclays Women’s Super League, and Slegers highlighted the support Arsenal will bring on Sunday.
“Congratulations to them for their achievement. It’s clear they take pride in their sell-out. I believe around 5,000 tickets were sold, with approximately 1,500 Arsenal supporters attending, nearly a third of the crowd. We are incredibly proud and grateful for our devoted fanbase. Their presence will energize us, and we will strive to provide them with the performance they desire—an Arsenal team that functions cohesively and wins matches. We are committed to giving our all on Sunday.”
Arsenal’s Barclays Women’s Super League match against London City Lionesses kicks off at 11:55 AM on Sunday.