Arsenal marched into the fifth round of the Adobe Women’s FA Cup with a comfortable 5-0 win over Bristol City on Wednesday night. Goals from Stina Blackstenius, Frida Maanum and Beth Mead were enough to secure a deserved victory for Arsenal and their head coach Renée Slegers’ maiden victory in her first match as head coach in the competition.
The match was also notable for Arsenal’s Swedish centre back, Amanda Ilestedt who returned from maternity leave to feature on the pitch for the Gunners for the first time since giving birth. The Halfway Line got the opportunity to hear from the Arsenal boss following the win.
Fast start in the FA Cup ‘really good’ for Arsenal affirms Slegers
Despite being English football’s most decorated team winning the FA Cup 14 times, Arsenal have not lifted the trophy since the 2015-16 season meaning most of the squad are yet to win it. Slegers was asked about the importance of the FA Cup and about the tactical changes made in a heavily rotated Arsenal side, she noted:
“It was a very important game for us, the cup is important for us. And also part of the decisions were game plan, how we were going to beat Bristol, and what player types we needed in different positions. And I think you could see how we did a couple of things a little bit different, especially in the first half. And I think the players execute that really well, so I’m happy with that. And yeah, the first half allowed us we to, spoke about starting fast and getting an early goal, and that’s what we got. So that was really good, and that helped us getting some players off the pitch and getting some players on the pitch as well.”
Slegers was further asked about the confidence boosting nature of the win, she replied: “Of course, winning is always good for a team. So very happy with that. And in many ways, the early goal was important, I think. Yeah, also for her [Stina Blackstenius (it’s)] important to get a goal but mostly for the team to get an early goal.”
Slegers continued, “we have players on the bench that we can get on and players that can come off for us. So that also opens up plenty of opportunities, and it makes a real team effort tonight. So I’m very happy with that.”
Resting captain Little ‘important’ states Slegers
Kim Little was missing from the match day squad against Bristol City last night. It had been clear that Little had an issue with her hand against Chelsea with it bandaged up at Stamford Bridge. This was put to Slegers, and when asked how long Arsenal’s Scottish captain might be out for she responded:
“Yeah, there was a reason why we rested Kim today, and that was important for us, and it also gave the opportunity for other players to play. So it was win, win.” She continued, “No, I can’t tell you anything [about how long Little will be missing]. But she didn’t play today, which was good, and then we’ll see for Sunday.”
Slegers wants to show ‘You can have a family and that you can come back and be a footballer again’
Slegers introduced Amanda Ilestedt from the bench for Arsenal last night for her first match back since returning from maternity leave. It was a lovely moment, one that the 2,000 strong Arsenal fans lapped up, cheering raucously from the terraces. Slegers was asked about her return and for her thoughts on pregnancy in football, she reflected:
“In women’s football in general, I think showing that this can be the norm. That you can have a baby if you want to have a family and that you can come back and be a footballer again. There’s more and more players doing it now which is very positive. We saw in Amanda’s return to play phase there is not much studies being done and not many examples, so we had to figure it out a little bit but we had help from the medical staff, performance staff, Amanda herself has been very professional and engaged and we have had some external help as well.
Slegers continued, “We’re so happy for Amanda that it has gone so well. I’ve seen other players at other clubs I’ve worked for, it doesn’t always go so smooth, you can’t really predict the body after such a big happening to the body, giving birth. She’s been working really hard and I think she’s lucky as well that her body has reacted well to treatment and everything we have been doing.”
‘I think its a cross’ laughs Slegers on Mead wonder goal
Beth Mead put on a show for the fans who had braved the cold on Wednesday night scoring twice, once with her head and once direct from the right wing. The Halfway Line was eager for Slegers’ thought on Mead’s recent performances and we just had to ask Slegers for her verdict, was it a cross or a shot from Beth Mead?
“Ask Beth, I think it’s a cross” Slegers quipped with a grin, she continued, “No, I think both against Chelsea and tonight, you see there’s a couple of things we want to work on with Beth, that she wants to work on as well. And I think the way she moves and tries to get him behind the last line, I think it was very good today and and we already know that she’s very intelligent combining player in the final third, and she gets a lot of opportunities tonight especially in second half because Bristol comes out in a low block. So, no, she’s an important player for us she’s been doing well the last two games.”
Next up for Slegers’ Arsenal they travel to face Manchester City on Sunday afternoon in the Barclays Women’s Super League.
