Slegers on Arsenal Women's goal drought: 'We know that it will come'

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Three goals in five games. That is the return Arsenal Women have managed at the start of this season, and head coach Renee Slegers was asked about it repeatedly ahead of tonight's Women's Champions League trip to Paris FC.

Her message was unwavering. Speaking to reporters in Paris, as covered by Arseblog News, Slegers insisted the breakthrough is close.

"I see what we're doing every single day, I see what the players are doing, the quality that they have, the investment that they show, the closeness of where we are, it's very close," she said. "I think just the daily things, the daily conversations with the players, the training sessions, the meetings, everything, they've been amazing."

Slegers rejects rotation criticism

One line of questioning centred on the number of personnel changes Slegers has made in the final third this season. The Dutch coach pushed back on the idea that it has prevented relationships forming.

"It's not like it was 20 years ago. These players spend a lot of time together. We spend six days a week together on the pitch and off the pitch as well, so connections are built. It's always looking at the right balance," she said.

"We always look at what do we see in our environment and what do we see is the best decision on match day when it comes to starters, finishers and everything else. How we want to execute the game."

Slegers also addressed the confidence question directly. "I think confidence is a word that's used a lot. I think it's something that fluctuates. But of course, football is very much a mental game as well," she said. "At the moment, it's difficult, of course, but we all believe and I'm really proud of the group as well, how they've been these last couple of weeks. They're so grounded, looking forward, looking for solutions, very high belief, very high support. We know that it will come and we know how good we are when we're unleashed."

Stanway on integrating eight new faces

Georgia Stanway, one of eight new additions to the squad this summer, joined Slegers at the press conference and offered a similar assessment of a group still finding its rhythm.

"I'm a big believer of the fact that when it clicks, I think it will really click," the midfielder said. "I'm also a massive believer in the relationships that you build off the pitch helping on the pitch and we'll continue to do that."

Stanway acknowledged that bedding in so many new arrivals takes time. "Of course, a lot of the work is done on the grass, it's playing with different partners, seeing exactly how somebody likes to receive the ball or how they like to move, getting to know people's habits. Everything's happened so naturally."

She added: "From the very beginning, there was a banner up on the first day that said 'no matter what, I'm here to give my entire heart,' and that is what I will continue to do for Arsenal, for the fans, for my teammates and for the staff."

Arsenal arrive in Paris on the back of a 1-0 defeat to Chelsea on 27 September. Kick-off against Paris FC is at 5.45pm UK time, with the match live on Disney+ in the UK.