By Chloe Reynolds (30/10/26)
Above: Alessia Russo wheeling off to celebrate one of her three goals against Benfica earlier in the week. Photo: Arsenal FC
It’s been less than a day since Arsenal played in the Women’s Champions League and head-coach Renee Slegers was already sat down with the media to preview Sunday’s class against Aston Villa.
Firstly, the Dutch coach shared her thoughts on last night’s game.
“Very happy with the performance. I think (Benfica) are a tough side to play against, I think we nullified a lot of what they can bring to the game and strengths they can bring to the game.
“For example, the duelling and the direct play, which we dealt with really well. We were defensively solid it in the game and we also set ourselves up to be good from counterattacking moments.
“I think we created a variety of chances through set-pieces, longer attacks, faster moments, a good percentage of shots on targets.
“I think it was a really sharp performance from the team. There were new partnerships, there was starters and there was finishers, and of course, Alessia scoring three goals for us.
“It was a great night together with the fans.”
Ona Batlle started the game in her preferred position as a right back. This is what Slegers had to say:
“We have a lot of quality players on both sides. Ona and Geraldine had a great partnership yesterday, it was growing throughout the game, and they said it themselves afterwards as well. Ona was great with her run’s forwards and with her crosses.
“We also have a lot of other good players in those positions, so it’s about making sure that we use the squad the right way and most effectively game by game”
Slegers provided some updates on whether players will be returning to the squad or not.
“Kim (Little) was back last night, which was great to get her back onto the pitch.
“There might be a chance Fredia Maanum makes it for the for the game as well.
“Daphne van Domselaar is getting closer and closer. Maybe again too early.
“Katie Reid, she was back training with the team, she got an ankle injury, which sets her back, which is unfortunate. So, we don’t expect it to be back before Christmas. the rest is the same as last night.
Slegers also provide an update on Chloe Kelly, who has been absent from the squad since the start of October
“It’s hard to set a clear timeline. It’s still day-by-day, seeing how the symptoms are, what we can and can’t do. She had a specialist appointment a couple of days ago. Let’s see where we go from here, but she’s not available for the weekend.”
Slegers is facing a familiar foe this weekend in Brian Sorensen, who recently took over as interim manager of Aston Villa.
“Knowing him from his Everton time, I think it was always hard to play against Natalia (Arroyo)’s Aston Villa team as well. They would pose a lot of questions.
“Now, of course, with Brian, they’ve got a really good start. We remember the game last year, how it was difficult for us to tell the way game was, was good, was dominant.
“So, we have to be prepared, we have to be humble. What they’re going to do, it’s always a guessing game. Very often it happens that teams do something different against us. Let’s see what their game plan is. We have to focus on ourselves and keep building on our last performance.”
Caitlin Foord has had a rough start to the season but has recently showed exactly why she should be a starter, and Slegers was full of praise for the Arsenal veteran.
“She’s been Massive for us. She’s been a leader with the intensity and the fight she brings on the pitch. And that’s what we spoke about ahead of Spurs, the North London Derby.
“We needed fight, grit on the pitch, duels. And she brings that. That’s one of her big qualities in the game and she injects that into the team. The way she plays is contagious. And she’s been so important for us in that game. And with that performance and everything she brought and everything we expected, we needed against Benfica because we expected fight there as well.
“We wanted her to be on the pitch again, and she had a great 90 minutes again for us. She scores the fourth goal. The way she does it, it’s a wide combination and she sprints at high speed. She sprints into the box to get into that situation and finishes it.
“So, gutted for her. She didn’t get the goal. And goal difference can become important as well in the league phase. But yes, she had her 50th appearance for Arsenal in the Champions League last night. That tells you everything about what she’s done for Arsenal for so long. The player that she is. And she’s in great form right now.”
Arsenal host Aston Villa at the Emirates Sunday, November 1 at 12:00PM.
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