Seven key things we learned from Renée Slegers’ pre-Manchester United press conference:

Renée Slegers’ to stay in interim role for next five games; Arsenal prepare for Sunday’s crucial clash against Manchester United

Renée Slegers to stay in interim role for next five games:

“I’ll be in the interim role for this block, that’s what I know. These five games I’ll be staying in the interim role.”

“I definitely see myself doing it at the moment, I enjoy working with the girls, for the club and trying to get successes. I really enjoy the role [..], the work I can do for the team now I’m really enjoying.”

“Honestly I haven’t been thinking about it. I think there’s great managers in the WSL [...], so no I don’t think that way but I’m happy to be a part of this league in my role” [when asked about if she has the attributes to do the job long term]. 

“I don’t think it's about that at the moment - we have a really good foundation from the years before. Obviously some small tweaks that we want to do […]. The players have been involved in building a foundation, who do we want to be as Arsenal Women? […] It’s built on the type of football the players want to play.” [when asked if there’s a Renée Slegers style of play]. 

The Benefits of the International Break:

“It’s always nice to change pace, change environment, get new insights.”

“If you look at how the players picked it up before the international window and what they did during, it’s been very positive. We want to keep going with that momentum now.”

“This was a really healthy time for me and all of the staff, I think.”

Leah Williamson’s Emotional England Goal:

“I am very happy for her. I spoke to her this morning. A lot of emotion came out as well after that goal; maybe because it’s her first goal after the ACL injury for England.”

“I had a good conversation with her this morning [...]. She’s fine, she is good. She trained really well.”

?Renée responds to Skinner’s remark about exploiting a ‘wounded’ Arsenal.

“They’re smelling blood.”

“I can imagine how you can look at it from the outside, but we know what’s happening on the inside and we’ve seen a lot of positive things.”

Fitness Update:

“Everyone came back fit and fresh from international games.”

“The only one, like you probably know about, is Lotte [Wubben-Moy] that was pulled from the second game with England. She was back training but got some symptoms so she is still a question mark for Sunday. She’s back at the club.”

Facing a strong opponent in Manchester United:

“They’re always a very good side. It’s a strong team but I can definitely say the additions they made are very good individual players. They’ve started the season really well, they haven’t played against a top four team yet. But what they’ve done so far is good, I guess they are happy about it. We are mostly focusing on ourselves because we know how good we are and the quality of our players.”

Alessia Russo faces former side:

“I haven’t had time to speak to Alessia yet individually. Always interesting to ask the players, these are players she knows well. To ask her how to attack against this player or what are their strengths and weaknesses, it’s always good to get some information […] We will talk to her.”

“I hope players are always motivated to play for Arsenal and I think they are. But I think every personality reacts differently to it - some get extra motivation out of it and extra fuel, others find it hard. Alessia will be ready to perform on Sunday.”