‘It’s unfortunate that there’s noise on the outside’ – Slegers denies reports of unrest at Arsenal | OneFootball

Arsenal Women’s head coach Renee Slegers has dismissed reports of unrest behind the scenes at the club.

A report by the Athletic claimed that some players “wield significant influence” in the dressing room which has caused division.

Arsenal are eight points behind Manchester City in the WSL and have only won one of their last four games.

Speaking about the article, manager Renee Slegers said: “We won the Champions League. Historically, Arsenal has been the most successful team in England. And there will be noise. There is noise. And there was an article. That’s all on the outside.

“We know what we’re doing on the inside. And it’s a high-performance environment. So, it’s a very challenging environment. We demand a lot of things from each other. And it should be like that. I think if you go and have a look in any place internally, you see some really, really good things going on. But I think every group of people will have things that they have to manage and get through. 

“I am very positive about where we are at. Very positive. And I can say that full-hearted because I’m on the inside and I see what’s happening. I’m happy with the squad. I think they deserve to be backed for everything they do.

“We are in a process. I believe in the process. And we’re going in a really good direction. So, it’s unfortunate that there’s noise on the outside. But there will be noise on the outside.”

Slegers vehemently denied that there is unrest in the dressing room, and said that top teams just have to deal with the noise.

Asked if she was angry after reading the article, the Dutch manager said: “No, not so much. Normally, I don’t read media, but I have to be across certain things. So I did read it. No, not too emotional, to be honest, like I just said. Because I think we have such clarity in what we’re doing here. Maybe the emotion of, I don’t agree with it.

“And it’s unfortunate that this is what’s written about us whilst we’re doing so many good things. And a lot of people are invested in the process. So maybe that was the little emotion I felt, or the thought I had. But not more than that. It’s unfortunate because I think there’s so many good things that the club has been doing for so long.”