Renee Slegers is aiming to make an immediate impact as Arsenal Women interim manager just one day after the resignation of Jonas Eidevall.
Gunners boss Eidevall stepped down on Tuesday, 24 hours before the team’s latest Women’s Champions League match, on the back of a 5-2 defeat away to Bayern Munich in Europe last week and last Saturday’s 2-1 home loss to Chelsea in the Women’s Super League (WSL).
The Swede’s assistant coach Slegers will now take charge on an interim basis, with her first game at the helm being at home to Valerenga at the Emirates Stadium tonight as Arsenal seek their first Champions League group-stage win of the season.
Slegers said: “I’m looking forward to fine-tuning these small margins because I think it’s been about small margins, and that’s what I look forward to getting on the right side.
“So, putting in a couple of extra percentages, as a staff, as a players group, and then getting things over the line and turning things around, that’s what I look forward to.”
Slegers has previously filled in for Eidevall as Arsenal manager, notably overseeing a 5-0 win against relegated Bristol City last season when he served a touchline ban.
Despite their recent poor results, Eidevall’s departure came as a surprise, with England Women manager Sarina Wiegman among those to express their shock.
Wiegman said: “I didn’t expect it, and it is unfortunate – a little bit flabbergasted, to be honest.”
Like Arsenal, Valerenga made it through to the group stages of the Champions League via the qualifying rounds.
However, this is their first Champions League group, and they are the reigning champion of the Toppserien, Norwegian football’s equivalent of the WSL.
This is the first time these two teams have played each other as well.
Both teams lost their first match in the Champions League group, but Valerenga were narrowly beaten 1-0 Juventus compared to Arsenal’s defeat to Bayern by three-goals.
Valerenga, unlike Arsenal, won their most recent league game by beating Lyn 3-0 at home which put them nine points clear at the top of the table with just four matches left to play.
Nils Lexerod’s side have won the last 12 of their last 13 matches in all competitions, while Valerenga have lost only two of their previous nine Champions League matches outside Norway, with five wins and one draw.
Arsenal are still unable to call upon Laura Wienroither, Amanda Ilestedt, Victoria Pelova and Lina Hurtig.
Valerenga are without Mimmi Lofweinus, who is recovering from an anterior cruciate ligament injury.
This game will be crucial for both sides’ hopes of qualifying for the knock-out stages, but Arsenal are still favourites despite having failed to win any of their last three matches in all competitions.
Arsenal captain Kim Little said: “It’s challenging, but what’s more important is staying together and putting on a good performance tonight.”
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