Renée Slegers has hailed an excellent performance from Smilla Holmberg on Wednesday night that saw the Swede nab her first WSL goal.
The Arsenal head coach was speaking after her side had beaten Leicester City 7-0, the home side’s biggest victory of the season and their biggest under Slegers too. The Halfway Line was present to hear from Slegers.
Renée Slegers lauds ‘robust’ and ‘stable’ footballer Smilla Holmberg
Arsenal’s star performer on the night was nine-teen year old Smilla Holmberg, who started the match on the right wing. Holmberg scored twice and assisted another in the victory. The Halfway Line asked Slegers what she thought of Holmberg’s performance,
“I think when she came to us” Slegers explained. “She had just finished school, got a driver’s licence and moves abroad for the first time in her life and [it was] a big step, of course, for her.
“If you look at how she’s taken it on and how she’s just been herself, respectful of the environment, taking everything in, listening, but also just this is me, this is what I can bring. And just being really stable and robust as a person and also as a footballer.
“We asked her to play another role today. She’s come on in this role on the right wing. We see her qualities there with her crossing ability and speed and power, her defensive quality. So she did really well on that role today. So I’m really happy. This was her first WSL goal and she had a great performance today.”
Slegers happy with ‘really important’ Frida Maanum
Another stand out performer for Arsenal on the day was Frida Maanum, who scored once and assisted twice. The Norway international has found herself out of the starting line up of late but she was given the chance again tonight, and duly took it,
“She’s one of those individuals that is always ready” asserted Slegers. “She’s so professional and she prepares so well for games. So we know that we can always rely on Frida [Maanum].
“She’s going to bring to games. I think sometimes situations change if you look at it from a short term perspective, but if you look at it at the grand scheme of things and bigger picture in this season, what she’s been contributing with, she’s been a really important player for us.”
