Hello, Arsenal Women aficionados!
Not sure about you, but I still feel the adrenaline pumping after the breath-taking win against Bayern in what felt like an end-of-the-world night at Meadow Park.
Photo courtesy of Arsenal.com
Second-half goals from Alessia Russo and Mariona Caldentey turned the scoreline in our favour after the 1-1 at half-time and ensured we would go through as group winners, something that it was almost impossible to imagine after the 5-2 defeat in the reverse fixture against Bayern Munich. The quarter-finals draw will take place in Nyon on February 7th, with the rules yet to be defined by UEFA. If usual standards are applied, we will face either one of Olympique Lyonnais or Real Madrid and we will play the return leg at home, most likely at the Emirates Stadium. I can definitely see another sell-out for the Arsenal Women team at what is increasingly becoming their home, rather than the boys’ backyard.
Our calendar year ends here, with our eight consecutive win and the overall feeling that the winds have changed at the club and at the training ground: Renée Slegers achieved so much in so little time, with such grace, that we should all be forever grateful for her commitment and ability to bring everyone together in such difficult times – regardless of where her long-term future lies.
RENÉE’S WORDS
Will she stay? Will she leave? Will she be offered the permanent position, at all? Obviously, Renée Slegers faced some questions about her immediate future, after the game, and I am still unable to understand whether she even wants the job. Asked about the clarity around her role, she said:
“I am just really happy that we got this win and topped the group, it was a big performance of the team and the club. We had two objectives from this block, to be within striking distance in the WSL and we climbed one spot and qualify for the quarterfinals and, if we can, win the group, so we are successful with both which is very strong. It has been very intense with many challenges to overcome as a team, we just need the break and I am sure I will have communication with the club, but I want to have a break too.”
Once again, my feeling is that the permanent job might be a bit too much for Renée Slegers, and she might feel overwhelmed by the responsibilities she would have to take. While a few weeks ago she spoke about the endless working hours and her tiredness, after the Bayern game she insisted on the need of a break, for the team and for herself, to an extent that talks with the club about her position would come after that. That doesn’t sound very promising, but it is absolutely legitimate and very much understandable. Being the head coach at a demanding club like Arsenal is no small feature and the prestige carries lots of responsibilities and tasks, which result in never-ending working hours.
I’d rather see her turn it down right away then walking away in a few months because of fatigue and exhaustion. Again, it’s all speculation for the time being.
Photo courtesy of Arsenal.com
Elsewhere, Renée Slegers sounded very proud of her players and how they played in difficult conditions, against a top team:
“[…] it was a hard day, tough opposition, they have so many tools in how they can threaten you. We had to deal with it, and we did. It wasn’t always the prettiest football, but it was hard to play pretty football today. I am happy we found a way to win when the situation doesn’t allow us to play our game, and we have to respect our opponent, but we found a way to win. It shows big mental strength with the team. […] we have had so many challenges now over the last couple of months and many times we came out positively, the team has shown grit and determination, in combination with quality players and their idea of how we are together when we play football.”
Finally, Renée did spend a few words to acknowledge her team and her staff, as usual. When asked about her players looking happy, she was prompt to reply:
“I am happy to hear that, if you enjoy what you are doing you are going to give a little extra. That is where we are at at the moment, the break comes now and they deserve it to recharge, refresh mentally and physically. Then everyone is ready to go again. […] It has been very intense, it is a big club with big players, great players, great resources and facilities, there was already such a great foundation, but I have learned a lot about what this role is in a big club like Arsenal. I have enjoyed it, I have enjoyed working with the players and the staff. I want to highlight the rest of the staff as well, I am the one sitting here talking with you guys, but there is so much work behind the scenes. Aaron (D’Antino) has been amazing as well; he has been stepping up and doing so much for the team. It has been a very good period; I am happy for the team we get this result.”
The hope is to read and listen to more of this from her, in the coming month.
LESSON LEARNED
Daphne van Domselaar is a great goalkeeper, potentially a top-class one. The Dutch was instrumental in keeping the game at 0-0 in the opening stages, when Bayern forced us back deep into our defensive third. She could have perhaps done better for Bayern’s opener, but the strong winds made it difficult to read the trajectory of the ball from corners and long-balls in general.
The former Aston Villa goalkeeper was comfortable with the ball at his feet, commanded the box with authority and was alert throughout the game, which transmitted the much-needed calm and confidence to a defensive line often under heavy pressure.
After years of alternance, we might have found the long-term solution between the sticks and a goalkeeper capable of holding down a place in the starting XI for longer periods, compared to what we were used to with Manuela Zinsberger and her long list of competitors (Kaylan Marckese, Sabrina D’Angelo, Lydia Williams).
Photo courtesy of Arsenal.com
Elsewhere on the pitch (and off it…), the game against Bayern showed that Mariona Caldentey is a special character and can handle the high-pressure moments that come in games like this one. After missing a penalty in the WSL game against Liverpool last weekend, she stepped-up to take the penalty against Bayern, with five minutes remaining and the score at 2-2, which meant that her penalty kick would have decided whether we would finish the group stage as winners or as runners-up.
Cool as ice, she sent the Bayern’s goalkeeper the wrong way and sealed a memorable victory for her new club, propelling the team to the top of the group C in the UWCL.
We will need her calmness, composure and experience when the stakes get higher, after the break: a serial winner and natural leader, Mariona Caldentey will be tasked with guiding her younger teammates through the most pressurized moments on the second half of the season, from the away games at Chelsea and Manchester City in late January and early February to the UWCL quarterfinals in March.
NEXT’S UP
The 2024 is over, the second block of games is behind us and the results have been brilliant: four wins in four games, eleven goals scored and three goals against, top of the UWCL group and third in the WSL, one point away from the second place.
The head coach and the players can enjoy a well-deserved rest to recharge and get ready for the second half of the season. The challenges ahead are massive, both domestically and internationally, and we need fresh legs and fresh minds to keep making this season a memorable one.
I will take a break too and get ready for what is coming up. I will be ready to report in case something happens on the transfers market, or if any major news breaks during this period.
The Arsenal Women team will be back on the pitch on January 12th, in the FA Cup, against Bristol City at Meadow Park. Until then, I wish everyone a great holiday season and a wonderful start of the new year.
Speak to you soon!
Italian living in Switzerland, Gooner since mid-nineties, when the Gunners defeated my hometown team, in Copenhagen. I started my own blog and podcast (www.clockenditalia.com) after after some experiences with Italian websites and football magazines. Covering Arsenal Women with the occasional rant about the boys.
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