Slegers and Kelly on ‘special’ win over Chelsea | OneFootball

Slegers hails “mission completed” as Kelly revels in “proper display” while both stress it is only half-time in the quarter-final

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While Chelsea were left crying about VAR decisions that went against them, handily ignoring the calls that went in their favour, Renee Slegers and Chloe Kelly focused on the quality of Arsenal’s display and the position it gives them in the tie.

Slegers described the contest as demanding in every sense, with Arsenal needing to solve problems throughout the game before their quality told.

“It was a very tight game, two good teams going against each other,” the head coach said.

“Chelsea created some opportunities early in the game. We stayed in the game, we were calm. It was constantly finding solutions to create spaces, to find ways out, to solve the press. So there were a lot of decisions being made and a lot of changes in what we wanted to do.

“And that, in combination with very high intensity and a lot of duels and very tight spaces on the pitch, it was a very demanding game for the players.

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“Of course, very happy how we were task-focused and were composed in all moments and stayed in control. The players felt in control the whole game and we were ruthless with our chances. So it’s really positive. So we wanted this, this is, mission completed.

“We wanted to start well this first leg at the Emirates with the help of our fans.

“So, I’m really happy with that. But now it’s half-time, so we’ll have to go and play them at Stamford Bridge in the second leg.”

That sense of perspective was shared by Chloe Kelly, whose goal was the standout moment of the evening, struck from around 25 yards and skipping past Hannah Hampton after bouncing just in front of her.

Kelly was happy to savour it, but not at the expense of the wider picture.

“It was so special,” Kelly said afterwards. “These nights are amazing here at the Emirates, but we know it’s only half-time, but the girls were amazing tonight. Clinical, riding the storm when we needed to, and yes, a proper display.

“I back myself in that area and had a lot of space around me. It was amazing, and then to see Codi slide with me, I enjoyed that.

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“I think it’s important that we build energy, we build momentum and we keep striving for more,” Kelly added. “This weekend will be important, three points that we need to get. So, yes, our focus changes to the weekend at Spurs.

“I want to be part of history at this club and keep pushing for more and keep building,” Kelly said.

Taken together, the two responses told the story of Arsenal’s night better than the noise around it.

Slegers saw a side that stayed calm, found solutions and remained in control, Kelly saw a team that were clinical and resilient when the game demanded it.

Both, crucially, saw this as only the first half of the tie. Arsenal have got themselves in a strong position, and done so with a performance that fully justified the result, but neither manager nor goalscorer sounded remotely interested in pretending the job is done.