Slegers praises star taking Arsenal ‘to the next level’ – and gives double injury update | OneFootball

Ahead of Arsenal’s game against West Ham, Renee Slegers gave an update on Frida Maanum and Leah Willamson, and discussed the incredible impact of Olivia Smith since her arrival.

Arsenal will host West Ham at the Emirates Stadium on the weekend, hoping to cut the gap to Manchester United in third place. Head coach Slegers delivered an update on Maanum and Williamson, both of whom have been ruled out of the fixture, due to illness and injury respectively.

“Frida Maanum has been ill this week, so we don’t expect her to be able to play tomorrow,” Slegers confirmed.

“Leah has been managing some problems with her hamstring, so we also don’t expect her to be ready for Saturday, but otherwise the same,” she added.

Asked about the impact of Smith this season, the Arsenal coach was full of praise for the young Canadian.

“I think if you look at Olivia Smith, we’re so happy she joined us because she’s taking us to the next level,” Slegers said.

“We knew it was going to take some time for new players to adjust to our environment, but if you look at the impact that she’s had from the start of the season, it was there from the start. I think she’s really finding her feet now,” she continued.

The 21-year-old joined Arsenal last summer from Liverpool, becoming the first £1million player in women’s football. Impressing with her versatility up front and her work rate both on and off the ball, Slegers said Smith has been a “brilliant” addition to the team.

“We have seen different sides of her as well. We’ve asked her to play in different roles, also in the nine, on the left and right. She’s been brilliant and I’m happy that she’s performing well,” the coach added.

“It’s not only the qualities that she has on the ball and her athleticism, it’s also the hard work that she’s willing to put in, out-of-possession work,” she concluded.