Leah Williamson revealed new head coach Renee Slegers has had a “big impact” on her mentality after Slegers took over from Jonas Eidevall following his resignation in October 2024.

Williamson spoke to the Gooner Fanzine at London Colney on Friday, and discussed what she has learned under Slegers, after the 35-year-old was appointed Arsenal Women head coach on a permanent basis.

“The biggest impact she's had is on my mentality,” said Williamson. “And finding that sort of, not the sweet spot, but being perfectly charged.

“I feel like before we used to have a misunderstanding of my passion and the impact it had on people around me, the impact it had on my performance. I appreciate it because I feel like she's looked at me, she's seen me and she's critical of me but in a good way. 

“I think the biggest impact I can say is more about the mentality and my role. Like I said, she criticises me! I'm looking forward to seeing the on-pitch stuff now that she's in the role and that develops.”

Slegers regularly gets involved in training sessions, the former Netherlands midfielder lacing her boots up and joining in: “I love it when she's in my rondos because she ends up in the middle,” laughed Williamson. 

“I think it's good. I don't know what Renee was like as a player but I think having a coach, it's just a really nice way of engaging. 

“It's not necessary obviously, but if you can engage with your team in that way, it also brings an element of calm. I know on matchdays her and Kelly [Smith] are kicking a ball about together in the warm up and stuff. I've seen them a couple of times. 

“It just brings an element of calmness to everything. She does get involved which I think is good. It just shows a demonstration of what we've all sort of achieved, but she's also a player and she's in that position. But I think having her, Kelly, on the coaching staff for example, Jodie [Taylor] joins in. It's cool.”

Williamson also reflected on Slegers’ positive relationship with Arsenal’s fans: “As a playing group you're always aware of your responsibility because the managers are normally the first person that gets looked at. They're a real individual rather than us being a team. 

“So you want to play well for her and you want to pay back in that way, but the fans have been very vocal about being behind her and naturally that's then trickled into their support for us as well. 

“I do think that the back end of the season, especially we played at Boreham Wood, we played at the Emirates and the fans are unbelievable. So I'm hoping a good relationship between those obviously helps us as well.”