Interview

Renée reflects on convincing FA Cup victory

Renée Slegers has shared her reflections on our 5-0 win over Bristol City on Wednesday night to book a place in the fifth round of the Adobe Women's FA Cup. 

"I'm happy we're through in the cup," said our head coach, after the match. "We started fast and we got the early goal. Good for Stina - she makes a very good run into the box and that helps us a lot in the game. It was a great effort tonight."

Our squad came into tonight's test off the back of a disappointing defeat to Chelsea at Stamford Bridge, but our head coach was delighted with the speed at which we focused on the next challenge.

"We know that all games are important. I think we are, as a team, in a good place and we knew that the Chelsea game was going to be a very hard battle with two very good teams. Unfortunately, we didn’t get the win and this is what we have to live with but the way the girls have responded to it has been very good. 

"We’ve stayed within ourselves: we went inwards, instead of outwards. We want to do better and I think we’ve responded really well as a team. For me, personally, it started something because I want us to play the Arsenal way and keep on believing that way can give us the win. It’s only more fire and more motivation for me to try and lead the team to wins."

The fixture also saw more good news as Amanda Ilestedt made a long-awaited return to the pitch after giving birth last autumn.

"I’m very proud and very happy for Amanda. She’s been working really hard. More and more players are doing it: giving birth and then coming back on the pitch. It’s still quite new, so I think we’ve done a great job and Amanda’s done a great job. She’s been very professional. Our performance and medical team have been supporting her really well and I think her return to play has gone very, very well. I’m very happy that we give the example that you can, as a female football player, give birth and come back to play again."