‘Every trophy is important’ – League Cup success means a lot to Arsenal says Slegers

Arsenal head coach Renée Slegers says that success in the Subway Women’s League Cup is important to the club.

The Gunners are the competition’s most successful club with seven trophy wins. They will reach another final if they overcome Manchester United in the semi-finals at Borehamwood on Wednesday night.

When speaking to the media in the pre-match press conference, Arsenal boss Slegers emphasised the importance of the Subway Women’s League Cup to the club.

“Every trophy is important for Arsenal and for me as well personally,” Slegers said. “I think we remember that moment [in 2024]. I was with the team when we won the Conti Cup, as it was called a couple of years ago. Again, going to extra time, Stina [Blackstenius] scoring the winning goal and there were a lot of players involved in that journey, that trophy.

“We’ve looked back at it but again, everything that’s happened in the past can inspire us but it says nothing about what we can do right now. Every trophy is important for us, also the League Cup.”

Commenting on the challenge of Manchester United, Slegers highlighted the need to be more clinical in and around the opposition box off the back of back-to-back goalless draws with The Red Devils.

She said “I think if you look at the first two games we’ve played against United, I think we dominate the ball quite well away but we don’t create so much. I think at the Emirates last time, we do create much more but we don’t have that finishing edge or create a clear-cut chance that gives us the goal. We definitely want to take the next step tomorrow at home at Borehamwood with the fans around us.

“Of course, I’d imagine Manchester United go in with a similar mindset. They also want to break it, so it’s going to be two good teams going against each other. There are definitely things we’ve been looking at that we want to apply tomorrow in the League Cup.”

After facing Manchester United, Arsenal must quickly prepare for a trip to Chelsea on Saturday. Slegers says that she is not looking beyond her side’s Subway Women’s League Cup tie when it comes to balancing resources.

She said “I do take into account what’s been, so we’ve just played against Aston Villa last Sunday. It’s a two-day preparation going into United, so I definitely take that into account and look at what players are in a good place, what players are fresh for Wednesday because we need full freshness and high intensity in the game. After that, I don’t look much further and that’s the honest truth, but I do take into account what’s been before.”

Arsenal’s Subway Women’s League Cup semi-final tie against Manchester United kicks-off at 7pm on Wednesday evening. Tickets remain on-sale and can be purchased by clicking here.