‘A pleasure to work with’ – Renee Slegers on Olivia Smith, Beth Mead’s injury and win over Man City | OneFootball

Renee Slegers says she is delighted for Olivia Smith after the youngster scored the only goal of the game to help Arsenal to a 1-0 win over WSL leaders Manchester City.

Smith’s strike secured a fourth win in a row in all competitions for the Gunners and the Arsenal boss says she is adapting more to life at the club following her move from Liverpool last summer.

“She’s still a young player,” Slegers said. “She’s still settling into the environment.

“Of course it’s been a while now but don’t underestimate what it takes for a young player in her situation to settle and to adjust to a new life.

“She’s great to work with. Her ability on the pitch is so good, she’s helping the team with her certain specific qualities that she brings to the team but also she’s a pleasure to work with.

“I think there’s more to come. She will keep on making small steps but she’s at a really high level and there’s still areas where she can grow.”

Slegers has, however, been handed another injury worry with Beth Mead going off in the second half.

“We can communicate more later in the week,” Slegers said when asked for an update on the winger.

“Of course she’s just played and there’s medical assessments but when we know more we’ll communicate more.”

Arsenal can move to within seven points of City in the WSL if they win their game in hand and Slegers hailed her players’ approach to recent games.

“Very important. We knew it was going to be a big challenge,” she said on her team’s latest win.

“Of course we came away from the Chelsea win very happy and very pleased, a clean sheet and winning away.

“Then we have the Champions Cup where we won so that’s two really positive moments for us as a team.

“Then the challenge was to stay in the controlled middle, not too high and not too low, especially not to high in those moments.

“City have been so good. A lot of respect for the way they’ve performed this season. I think the way we’ve gone about it and the way we’ve done it, I’m so happy with. Three clean sheets in the WSL now against top opposition.”