What Renee Slegers said about Leah Williamson Arsenal return in Champions League | OneFootball

Leah Williamson returned to the Arsenal squad for the UEFA Women’s Champions League match against FC Twente (Dylan Clinton/SPP)

Renee Slegers welcomed the return of Kim Little and Leah Williamson to the Arsenal squad on Tuesday night – and explained just what they add to the team.

Leah Williamson has been out with a knee problem since leading England to their second successive Women’s Euros title over the summer, while club captain Little has been missing in recent weeks.

But both were named on the bench for the Gunners’ UEFA Women’s Champions League clash against FC Twente.

And before the match, the Arsenal boss was asked on the live coverage on Disney+ what it meant to have both back and available for selection.

“They have been at the club for a very long time,” she said. “They understand the club, they understand the group, they understand what’s needed and what the demands are at Arsenal, and to get the wins over the line.

“They mean a lot from that perspective: how do we prepare and how do we execute the game from a psychological perspective, how you represent the club, but also everything that’s happening in the background on a daily basis, their leadership and leading by example and setting standards.

“They’re two different types of leaders, they both bring different things, and it’s really good to have them back.”

Steph Catley continued to wear the armband for the match, as she has done in recent weeks during Little’s absence.

Renee Slegers: Olivia Smith is fully fit now

Slegers also spoke about the impact of Canada international Olivia Smith, who scored a sensational goal against former club Liverpool at the weekend – but who has struggled with full fitness since signing in the summer.

“She has been managing some issues the last block [of games], so we couldn’t use her to the maximum in that block,” she said.

“She stayed home from Canada camp [during the last international window] and resolved all the issues, so she is fully fit, she’s injury-free, she moves freely, and I think you could see that in the game against Liverpool.”