Slegers aims to take pressure off players as Arsenal struggles in the WSL

Arsenal's head coach Renee Slegers remains calm despite her team's rocky start to the Women's Super League season. The Gunners have struggled after three matches, with a victory against Brighton overshadowed by back-to-back draws against Crystal Palace and Manchester United. This poor run of form has intensified the pressure ahead of their upcoming match against Chelsea, which will be broadcast live on Sky Sports.

Arsenal's attacking prowess has not translated into results, as they currently sit with the worst xG underperformance in the league. Slegers attributes the team's issues more to psychological factors than tactical ones. She aims to alleviate the pressure on her players, believing that they should play freely without the weight of expectations weighing them down.

Slegers acknowledges the frustration of dropping points but emphasises the need to focus on positives and improvements. She is committed to taking on the pressure herself, allowing her players to perform with clear minds. The coach is aware of the difficulties posed by low blocks, which have hindered Arsenal's attacking play this season, and she is keen to explore various strategies to overcome this challenge.

In their recent Champions League match against Koge, Arsenal faced similar struggles, needing a late penalty to secure a win. Slegers believes that a fast start is crucial for her team to overcome mental barriers. She highlights the importance of mental resilience and the need to adapt to different game situations, especially when facing teams that defend deeply.

The upcoming match against Chelsea presents a different challenge, as the Blues are less likely to adopt a defensive approach. This could provide Arsenal's attackers, including young winger Lisa Baum, with the opportunity to showcase their skills. Slegers has expressed confidence in Baum's abilities and is prepared for the intensity of this London derby, stating that she is ready to shoulder any pressure.

via Sky Sports