‘We will support her’ – Renee Slegers on Olivia Smith after red card | OneFootball

Renee Slegers insists that she and the team will support Olivia Smith after she received a red card in Arsenal’s Women’s League Cup defeat to Manchester United.

With Arsenal already a goal down, Smith was sent off for a second bookable offence after her late challenge on Julia Zigiotti.

Despite the red card, Slegers says that the Arsenal team are behind the forward.

“I’ll have to watch it back properly,” she said. “I’ve seen one clip quickly, the first one, I’m not sure. I couldn’t see it clearly.

“It looked like Liv was on the ball first, but I’m not sure, but then of course, if you are on the yellow, you have to have that in the back of your mind when you play. Liv plays on the edge.

“She doesn’t shy away from physical moments, from duels. She draws a lot of fouls and cards from the opposition, now it was the other way around and that’s her style of play.

“It was a really tough lesson for her today and for the team because obviously we go down with 10 players, which makes it much harder if you’re 1-0 down, but then, like I just said, with 10 v 11, we still create a good amount of chances, which I’m very proud of.”

Slegers was further asked when she had spoken to the Canadian after the incident.

“Yes,” she answered. “I just met her shortly after the game.

“She’s very upset. She’s not happy with it. She feels like she let the team down, but we are in it together. It’s very tough lessons for her, but of course we support her and help her forward. It was a frustrating game tonight.”