Slegers feels Arsenal board support ahead of Man City trip
Renée Slegers says she has the full support of Arsenal's board despite a difficult start to the season ahead of Sunday's trip to Manchester City.
Speaking at the Sobha Realty Training Centre on Friday 2 October, the Arsenal head coach backed her team to turn form around quickly. Arsenal had one win in five matches in all competitions.
The timing is tough. Arsenal sit seven points behind Women's Super League leaders Manchester City, England's top flight. They have scored once in their past three league games, according to The Guardian.
City are setting the pace. The defending champions have a 100% record in the WSL this season. They have won every home league game under head coach Andrée Jeglertz, who took charge in summer 2025.
Arsenal arrive after a frustrating night in Europe. They let a two-goal lead slip to draw at Paris FC in the Women's Champions League, the continent's top club competition.
That game brought an odd moment. Leah Williamson handled the ball thinking she was taking a goal-kick, and Paris FC were awarded a penalty. Slegers did not face the post-match media in France, with assistant Aaron D'Antino stepping in instead. She apologised for missing those duties.
Slegers named the people backing her. She pointed to Clare Wheatley, Rich Garlick, James King and Jodie Taylor among the club's leadership. She also praised her captains for what she called monumental leadership during the dip.
Her message was defiant. Slegers said her ambition is to make Arsenal the first team to beat City in the league this season, as reported by Arsenal. Beat the leaders away, and the gap closes fast.
For fans, this means Sunday is about nerve as much as tactics. This is the same coach who led Arsenal to a shock win over Barcelona in the Champions League final in May 2025. That memory feels distant now. One loud performance in Manchester would bring it back.
