Beth Mead has expressed her admiration for interim Arsenal Women’s manager Renee Slegers, describing her as a breath of fresh air as the team prepares for their crucial Women's Champions League clash against Juventus. Slegers has been at the helm since Jonas Eidevall stepped down last month, and her temporary leadership has already made a significant impact on the team's performance.
Under Slegers’ guidance, Arsenal Women have been in excellent form, winning three of their last four matches, including a resounding 5-0 victory over Brighton. This run of results has propelled the team to fourth in the Women’s Super League standings, demonstrating Slegers' ability to get the best out of her players in a short space of time. Mead, who joined Slegers for pre-match interviews, shared her positive feelings about the manager's influence on the team.
“It’s a breath of fresh air with Renee, and we’re enjoying it so far,” Mead stated. “We’re in a good place at the moment. We have the environment to build again; it’s a release of new energy right now, and when you get the results and the performances, then it makes you a happier footballer.” Mead's comments reflect a renewed sense of optimism in the squad, with the players responding well to Slegers' leadership style.
Looking ahead to their upcoming Champions League match against Juventus at Stadio Comunale Vittorio Pozzo Lamarmora, Arsenal is determined to break their recent away form in Europe. The team has struggled in their last three Champions League away games, failing to secure a victory (D1 L2). Their previous longest winless streak in away games in the competition was between 2003 and 2005, where they recorded just one draw and three losses. Arsenal, currently second in Group C with three points, will need to improve their away results to maintain their position in the group, with Juventus also sitting on three points.
Slegers, however, remains optimistic about the upcoming fixture. "We are going there to play our best football, and we have a big belief in what we can do tomorrow," she said ahead of the match. “Looking at what we’ve been performing lately, and obviously scouting Juventus, we have a big belief in ourselves. And then we’ll see how the game progresses, what decisions we have to make, but we go there to win.”
While Slegers’ future role with Arsenal remains uncertain, she is fully focused on the current task at hand. She explained, “I think I get this question every time, and my answer will be the same. I’m very much in the moment; I know that this will be the situation for this block, and we as the coaching staff are trying to do everything to help the girls forward.” Slegers emphasized that the team’s success is her priority, and she is fully committed to her role, whatever it may be in the future.
“I think everyone is putting that little extra in from both the staff and the player's perspective," Slegers added. "So I’m just trying to get the best out of Arsenal because I care a lot. I really enjoyed the role I had before. Now I have to play this role for the team, so I’ll play this role for the team. About the future? I don’t know."
With Slegers' leadership and the team's renewed energy, Arsenal Women will be aiming to secure a significant result against Juventus, with hopes of advancing further in the Champions League and continuing their rise in the Women’s Super League. The next few weeks will be crucial as they look to maintain momentum under Slegers' temporary stewardship.
