‘Every game is important’ – Slegers plays down significance of huge Arsenal-Chelsea clash | OneFootball

Arsenal head coach Renée Slegers says that this weekend’s Barclays Women’s Super League fixture against Chelsea is a great opportunity, however, every game holds a similar level importance.

The Gunners can close the gap on the Barclays Women’s Super League leaders to just two points with victory at the Emirates Stadium.

When speaking in the pre-match press conference, Arsenal boss Slegers admitted that the game presents a great opportunity for her side but emphasised that every other game is just as important.

“It’s still early in the season and like we said at the start of the season, every game is important and you see how it’s more and more competitive to play against every single opponent in the WSL,” Slegers said.

“Of course, this is a great opportunity that we have ahead of us tomorrow and we look forward to it. This is why the players work so hard, what they live for, to play these kinds of games where there’s so much at stake. It’s also a beautiful moment in a fantastic stadium, playing for a beautiful club and having so many fans in the stadium.

“It’s going to be a beautiful moment and of course, we are football players, we are here to perform, we go for the wins always and that’s no different tomorrow. It’s the same every game and it’s going to be a beautiful occasion.”

Both sides have had their fair share of wins in this fixture over the years and Slegers highlighted the fact that these contests so often come down to the fine details.

She said “It’s small margins often. We know that Chelsea like to command in a certain way, we know that momentum will shift and we know where our strengths are. I think we have a really good idea of where our strengths are and what we can bring to the game, not the least the energy that we can bring at the Emirates with all of these people involved. Tomorrow is not only going to be those 11 players on the pitch, it’s going to be everyone.

“I think we have a really good idea of Chelsea, how they play their games, where their strengths are and how they want to put the game in their hands. I think we have a very clear idea and then tomorrow, it’s going to be about execution. I think there’s two really good teams going against each other and there will be fine margins on the pitch.”

Just five points separate league leaders Chelsea and Arsenal in fifth. Slegers believes that this season’s Barclays Women’s Super League could be the most open yet.

She said “I think so, so far [the most open]. Also, if you look around in Europe and the other top leagues and top teams, I think if you look at the WSL, the competition is enormous and it’s so good. It’s so good for football.

“We will only benefit in the moment because it’s attractive for the fans, but also in the future, the more competitive games we can play, the more the game will develop, so it’s very positive at the moment.”

Arsenal’s Barclays Women’s Super League fixture against Chelsea kicks-off at 12pm on Saturday afternoon. Tickets remain on-sale and can be purchased by clicking here.