Above: Arsenal Women head coach Renée Slegers in the media conference on Wednesday. Image: Arsenal.
By Isabelle Campbell (16/10/25)
Ahead of their trip to Lisbon, Arsenal Women held a press conference with head coach Renée Slegers and defender Emily Fox to discuss their upcoming Champions League match against Benfica.
Arsenal Women return to Champions League action on Thursday night looking to build on last season’s historic European triumph in Lisbon. Both Arsenal and Benfica have had difficult starts to this year’s group stage, with early leads slipping away in opening losses, making Thursday’s clash a crucial opportunity for both sides to claim their first points.
Benfica are known for their aggressive and intense style, combining tactical discipline with a strong psychological edge. Arsenal’s aim is to meet that intensity while maintaining control throughout the match.
“They’ll be intense from that perspective as well. They believe in what they’re doing. We’re going to play at a big stadium, we’re going to have a crowd, and we have fans coming too, which is great. We expect a lot of intensity in the game, which we want to match.” Slegers said.
Arsenal head into the game after a 1-0 WSL win over Brighton, a result that offered a solid foundation and a touch of confidence. “It was all about the three points, and we got them together. We’ve had a really productive review with the players since then. We’ve been working hard preparing for Benfica.”
Benfica’s tactical flexibility poses a unique challenge, with tight spaces and quick pressure expected. “Sometimes spaces get really tight and it gets really intense. That’s going to be our challenge, to keep spaces big and be really good in the spaces when they get tight.”
The club also celebrated a proud milestone this week as academy graduate Katie Reid earned her first senior England call-up.
“She’s young, but very mature. She has a growth mindset, she wants to learn every day, she’s very humble, very hardworking,” Slegers said of the young defender. “She’s gone all the way through the academy and now she’s got her first senior call-up. She should be very proud, and we’re proud as a club.”
Meanwhile England Captain, Leah Williamson is making encouraging progress in her injury recovery, having just completed her first session back on the pitch, Slegers said. “Exact timeline we’ll have to see day by day, week by week, but we hope to see her back before Christmas. That would be great.”
On the tactical side, the team continues to focus on playing with forward intent, embracing bravery on the ball to avoid inviting pressure and to create opportunities higher up the pitch. “We’re such a good team on the ball, we want to be brave on the ball. We want to have forward intent, we want to give options going forward.”
Despite their status as defending Champions League winners, Arsenal remain grounded. “We wear that with pride. But you need to be very, very humble for the change that happens and for the opponents that you’re going to face. You have to work really hard, and that’s what we know we’ll have to do tomorrow as well.”
Arsenal Women face Benfica on Thursday at 8pm BST in Lisbon.
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