Renée Slegers spoke to the media ahead of her Arsenal side’s first Women’s Super League game of the season in which they will take on London City Lionesses. She spoke about the transfer window, facing an unknown opposition, and the pressure Arsenal are under. Here are six key takeaways from her press conference. 

Slegers and the club are really pleased with Alessia Russo and her role at Arsenal: 

“When I came to the club, Alessia was here, and she's such an impressive player to work with. And it's not only what you guys see on the pitch every week, but it's what she does every single day. And we talk a lot about everyday matters that we do here in the building, on and off the pitch, and she invests so much so you can see all the work she puts in and how it comes out in games. And I’m so proud she's part of Arsenal. And I'm very happy I get the chance to work with her.

“She's a role model. She role models a lot of good behaviours, on the pitch as well. She always trains with intent and purpose and concentration, and that's important for us and she leads the team that way.” 

Defensive discipline is as important as anything else: 

“I believe, the defensive discipline is huge for us. It's very important… That's something we build our game on. But that role is to play for every single player on the pitch. So it's, it's not only one role that will do that for us. Every single player at this level playing for Arsenal, you have to be able to contribute in the attacking game, and in the defending game. And so that's what we ask for every single player.”

Beth Mead wasn’t someone Arsenal wanted to lose in the transfer window: 

“To me, it's very important that all players feel for what you're a part of, and feel for the project, feel for the club and are proud representing the club. And I think Beth is very important because we want to connect to our history as well, and we want to understand where we come from and what we’re a part of and Beth understands that and is a part of that because she’s been at the club for many years. So she means so much to us in that sense, and then also she brings certain qualities that are very important to us.”

Her first season as a manager has taught her a lot: 

“So there's been so many learnings for me, but I feel we're in a really good place. I think as a group of staff and players, we've tried to tackle everything that we think will impact us in the season early. So we set a foundation during preseason, and we've done a lot of good work, I think, together. So it's been it's been a great experience, and it wasn't easy, because we started early in mid-July, and then we had different groups of players dropping back in after the Euros… there was challenges but I think everyone, the staff and the players themselves have done a really good job.” 

Arsenal are aware of the pressure on them, and they therefore need to be consistent:

“We always feel pressure, I think for as long as I've been here… so that's always there, and that will be there this year as well. So, in that sense, nothing changes for us, but we have to be very, very aware, and that's part of how we approach our games and our season, that we have to be very consistent with everything we do, and that's within our control.” 

Slegers feels her side are prepared to face London City Lionesses, and want to put on a good performance for everyone: 

“Of course, we know what their ideas are, and it's going to have to play out tomorrow. I think we're very prepared for what they will try to do tomorrow, and we are very humble about the game, so hopefully, and that's I agree… that we want it to be joyful, because we want to deliver a good product for everyone. So that's, that's what we try to achieve together. But of course, we go out there try to play our game the Arsenal way and hope that leads to wins.” 

Slegers’ Arsenal side will take on London City Lionesses in their first ever WSL game on Saturday 6thSeptember at Emirates Stadium, kick off is at 13:30.