Renee Slegers provides Arsenal team news ahead of Man Utd clash – and says she is ‘honoured’ by new contract | OneFootball

Arsenal head coach Renee Slegers has provided an injury update ahead of her side’s return to WSL action against Manchester United.

Slegers, who earlier today was announced as having signed a new long-term contract that will keep her at the club until 2029, confirmed that Chloe Kelly, Daphne van Domselaar and Kyra Cooney-Cross will all be unavailable for the fixture. 

“We said we wanted to maximise the time we got going back in because it’s a short period of preparation,” she explained. 

“The squad looks really, really good from a fitness perspective. Chloe is still not available. Daphne is really close, but still not available.

“Then, of course, very sad news from Kyra’s mum. She travelled back to Australia.”

Kelly has been out of action with a knee injury since the start of December, having been forced off after just 23 minutes during England’s friendly with Ghana.

Van Domselaar has also been sidelined for an extended period, last featuring in the Gunners’ Champions League win against Real Madrid in November, suffering with a quad injury. 

Cooney-Cross has returned to Australia following the devastating news that her mother has been diagnosed with stage four bile duct cancer, with the 23-year-old travelling back to spend time with her family.

A GoFundMe has been set up to offer financial support. 

“There is no time scale at the moment, she is where she needs to be,” Slegers said.

“So, she’s with her mum and her sisters, spending time there, and that’s all we know, and that’s all that’s important at the moment.

Reflecting on her satisfaction at committing her future to the club, Slegers said: “I’m honoured. I’m happy. I’m grateful for the opportunity, and we want to continue to build. I’ve started something, and I think building something takes time, so I’m really happy to get the opportunity to stay here for longer and keep on going.”